Akshay Bhatia's Birdie Blitz Earns Third-Round Lead at Pebble Beach
The winds howled and the greens wobbled at Pebble Beach on Saturday, but Akshay Bhatia's early birdies kept him in the lead. With six birdies in seven holes, Bhatia shot a 4-under 68, giving him a two-shot advantage in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The challenge? The forecast predicted big wind and rain for the final round, a test of endurance for the players.
Collin Morikawa, a two-time major champion, had an impressive round with 11 birdies, shooting up 25 spots on the leaderboard to a three-way tie for second place. Jake Knapp and Sepp Straka also impressed with rounds of 66 and 67, respectively.
Bhatia's strategy was to take advantage of the opening seven holes, and he executed beautifully. He led by as many as five shots, showcasing his skill with birdies from close range. However, his lead was threatened when he faced his first bogey on the par-3 12th hole due to the strengthening wind.
The day's entertainment didn't end there. Sam Burns holed out for eagle to start his day, temporarily taking the lead. Tommy Fleetwood and Maverick McNealy also had strong rounds, finishing with scores of 67 and 63, respectively.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy struggled, falling 10 shots behind with a round of 72. He faced challenges with a triple bogey and a double bogey, as well as a shank that led to a bogey on a par 5.
Scottie Scheffler, aiming to extend his streak of top 10s on the PGA Tour, had a bogey-free 67, gaining one shot on the lead. However, he remained eight shots behind.
The day's climax came with two groups finishing two holes. Jacob Bridgeman and Min Woo Lee encountered unusual situations, playing from the beach and dealing with moving balls on the 18th green. The round took over 50 minutes to complete.
Despite the challenges, the players' resilience and skill kept the excitement alive. With the final round looming, the race for the top spot promises to be thrilling, as the players navigate the unpredictable conditions of Pebble Beach.
