Orlando, US, March 5: Indian Americans Sahith Theegala and Akshay Bhatia will return to action at one of the PGA TOUR’s biggest events of the season as they tee off at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando on March 5. The tournament is the third $20 million Signature Event of the 2026 PGA TOUR season and features one of the strongest fields on the schedule.
For Theegala, the tournament represents another important opportunity to rebuild momentum after an injury-affected 2025 season. The talented golfer was forced to miss a significant portion of last year due to fitness issues, but he has shown encouraging signs since returning to competition. His recent performances include top-10 finishes at The American Express and the Farmers Insurance Open, followed by a tied-18th result at the WM Phoenix Open. These results suggest that Theegala is gradually regaining the form that once made him one of the most exciting young players on the PGA TOUR.
Akshay Bhatia, meanwhile, has been enjoying a strong run of form despite missing a couple of cuts earlier in the season. The left-handed American of Indian origin finished tied third at the WM Phoenix Open and followed that performance with a tied-sixth finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. He continued his consistent play with a tied-16th result at The Genesis Invitational, underlining his growing confidence against some of the world’s best players.
In the opening round at Bay Hill, Bhatia will play alongside former Open Championship winner Brian Harman, while Theegala has been paired with experienced American Chris Kirk.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational, held annually at the legendary Bay Hill Club & Lodge, always attracts an elite field. Leading the line-up this year is world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who has been in dominant form on the PGA TOUR. Scheffler arrives at Bay Hill widely regarded as the best player in the world, although there will be curiosity about how he starts the tournament in the opening round.
Also among the favourites is seven-time PGA TOUR winner Collin Morikawa, who recently returned to the winner’s circle at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Morikawa’s victory was largely credited to an improvement in his putting, a skill he jokingly said he had “borrowed” from his close friend Kurt Kitayama.
Another notable presence in the field is Justin Thomas, who will be making his return to competition following surgery.
Adding further star power is world No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who continues to chase Scheffler at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.
With a star-studded field and high stakes, the Arnold Palmer Invitational promises to be one of the highlights of the early PGA TOUR season
××××××××××××××
Telegram Link :
For latest news, first Hand written articles & trending news join Saachibaat telegram group
https://t.me/joinchat/llGA9DGZF9xmMDc1
