Following one of the most dramatic playoffs, Akshay Bhatia secured arguably the biggest win of his career at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational. The golfer defeated Daniel Berger and secured a bare win after winning the playoff by one shot. While it was a huge celebratory moment for Bhatia, the golfer subsequently admitted that it was a very emotional win for him and he wanted to dedicate it to his late niece Mia.
Mia, who was the daughter of Akshay Bhatia’s sister Nikki, suffered from a terminal disease called Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency (PDCD). In this disease, the body is unable to produce much energy, making it one of the most lethal congenital disorders. Doctors informed the Bhatia family that Mia would not live to see her first birthday, yet she battled the sickness for six years.
Unfortunately, Mia lost the fight in December 2025, on the morning of Akshay Bhatia’s wedding day. The golfer mentioned her in a press conference following his stunning triumph at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational, claiming that he had been thinking about her for quite some time. He even described a nice moment he had during hole 18, claiming that when he spotted a rainbow, he knew Mia was watching over him.
According to the Golf Channel, Bhatia stated,
“I had my niece definitely watching over me. When I saw that rainbow on 18, it reminded me of her. She was a fighter for a long time…I told my sister, you know, I’ve been thinking about her for a long time after she passed, and dedicated this win for her.”
Presleigh, Akshay Bhatia’s wife, even uploaded an Instagram post on Mia’s passing away in which she included many details about the incident.
Presleigh and Akshay Bhatia paid tribute to Mia through Instagram posts
Presleigh shared an Instagram post on December 17 describing what had been going on with the Bhatia family, as she gave more details about the passing of six-year-old Mia. She described the circumstances of that night, claiming that Mia was always surrounded by serenity, comfort, and a lot of love. She even mentioned that Mia’s defeat over PDCD was a heartbreaking moment for the whole family.
A small part of the caption in her post read,
“Before we celebrate our love, we must first honor a life. On the morning of our wedding, Akshay’s niece, Mia, went to be with the angels. The night before, she was surrounded by everyone who loved her, wrapped in peace, comfort, and so much love. It was heartbreaking, beautiful, and impossible to fully understand all at once.”
Akshay Bhatia also uploaded an Instagram post about Mia during the time, where in the caption, he expressed his love for his niece and how she meant the world to him. His caption read,
“Miss Mia had the best hair, the best smile, and was one of the strongest kids I know. I will cherish her and play for her every single day. She meant the world to us and showed so much resilience each and every day. Fly high. I love you 👼 ❤️ 12/13/25”
It was also reported that Mia passed in one of the on-site homes at the club, which is called “Heaven on Earth.”
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