I found a proof.
Draw the tangent at $T$ and label two points on it $C$ and $D$ with $C$ on the "$A$" side and $D$ on the other side of $T$. Let $AT$ intersect with the smaller circle at S.
Then
$\angle ATC = \angle TPS$
$\angle BTD = \angle BAT$
$\angle APS = \angle PTA$
and the conclusion follows.