Akshay Bhatia’s series of birdies secures third-round advantage at Pebble Beach

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Pebble Beach displayed a challenging aspect on Saturday, with winds that caused golf balls to sway on the greens amid the cool Pacific air. Akshay Bhatia made a strong start, recording six birdies in seven holes, which propelled him to a 4-under 68 and a two-shot advantage in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

However, more difficult conditions may still lie ahead.

Final round starting times were adjusted one hour earlier due to predictions of significant wind and rain, creating a scenario for players to brace themselves in their rain gear.

There were still opportunities for low scores. Collin Morikawa, a two-time major champion seeking to break a victory drought of over two years, achieved 11 birdies in his round of 62, moving him up 25 positions on the leaderboard to a tie for second with Jake Knapp (66) and Sepp Straka (67).

Bhatia commenced the third round tied for the lead with Ryo Hisatsune and appeared poised to create a substantial gap. The strategy for Pebble Beach when the wind is calm—at least initially—entails capitalizing on the first seven holes. Bhatia executed this plan effectively, securing six birdies, with only one beyond 10 feet. He held a lead of as much as five shots.

He navigated through 47 holes of this prestigious event before recording his first bogey when the increasing wind pushed his tee shot well past the green on the par-3 12th. He incurred another bogey on the par-3 17th when the wind affected his shot, landing it in the bunker, and he missed a 4-foot putt.

He finished the front nine in 30 and returned in 38, a reflection of what Pebble Beach can present with windy conditions. Nevertheless, Bhatia stood at 19-under 197.

Even in the absence of “Celebrity Saturday” from the former AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am format—this marks the third year of the traditional Clambake evolving into a more formal signature event—there was no lack of excitement.

Knapp, the smooth-swinging golfer from Southern California, began and concluded his round with an eagle. He holed out from 130 yards on the par-4 first hole and capitalized on the wind for an approach to 12 feet for eagle on the par-5 18th.

Sam Burns also made an eagle to kick off his round, briefly taking the lead. Although he did not finish with an eagle, he still produced a remarkable shot from the greenside bunker off the video board behind the green, followed by a chip that hit the pin and fell for birdie.

Burns managed a 72 and was five strokes behind, alongside players such as Tommy Fleetwood (67) and Maverick McNealy (63).

Defending champion Rory McIlroy found himself 10 shots back, attributing much of his deficit to five holes. He recorded a triple bogey (hitting onto the beach at No. 4) and a double bogey (hitting out-of-bounds to the right on No. 18) during his third round of 72. He also had two three-putt double bogeys from 5 feet on Thursday and a shank that resulted in a bogey on a par 5 on Friday.

Scottie Scheffler aimed to extend his streak of top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour to 18. He achieved a bogey-free 67, gaining one shot on the leader, yet remained eight strokes behind.

The lead-up to Sunday may have unfolded in the final hour—two groups finishing two holes. Jacob Bridgeman, who shot 68 and was three behind, played from the beach on the 18th. Min Woo Lee (70) found himself 75 yards across the fairway in the hedges and ultimately opted for a penalty drop on the cart path. His golf ball continued to move during his putt, resulting in a 50-minute hole.

Hisatsune, who recorded a 74, repeatedly had to reposition his golf ball on the 18th green due to its movement. He missed a 6-foot par putt and then waited over 10 seconds, as it appeared the wind might push it into the cup.

No one anticipated a leisurely stroll along the beach.

“It’s not going to be pretty at all times. You’re going to encounter some unusual situations and just have to manage them,” Knapp stated. “I believe that when faced with adverse conditions, you must focus on not letting it affect you.”

This presents a significant opportunity for Knapp to secure a spot in the Masters and other key events for the year. It is also an important day for Morikawa, whose once-reliable swing has been inconsistent in recent years.

He had high expectations to commence 2026 but missed the cut in Hawaii. However, he felt he was on the right path, and a performance like this only enhances his confidence. He hit all 18 greens in regulation.

“I’ve been concentrating on building this momentum, making it my own, and it finally paid off today,” Morikawa remarked. “We have some work to do tomorrow, for sure.”