Akshay Bhatia birdied six of his first seven holes on the way to a four-under 68 to seize a two-shot lead after Saturday’s third round of the PGA Tour’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
With gusting winds at the seaside course’s signature 18th keeping balls oscillating on the greens, Bhatia endured a lengthy wait before missing a seven-foot birdie putt and closing with a par.
“Always nice to get off to a good start,” Bhatia said. “Making six out of the first seven was pretty nice.”
Despite his blistering start, the 24-year-old American did not make another birdie and finished 54 holes on 19-under 197. His five-shot advantage was trimmed to two heading into Sunday’s final round.
“Just battling the elements at Pebble Beach is always fun,” he said. “You’re holding on from around the 8th, 9th, 10th and 12th. The 17th was a brutal hole today. I’m happy with today for sure.”
ICYMI:
The winds are high at @ATTProAm
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— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2026
Sharing second on 17-under 199 are two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa, who birdied five of his last six holes for a 62, fellow American Jake Knapp, and Austria’s Sepp Straka. Jacob Bridgeman is on 16-under 200, with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama a further shot back on 15-under 201.
“I wanted to come out and win the tournament,” Morikawa said. “Now we’ve given ourselves a chance.”
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Bhatia, who finished tie-third last week in Phoenix, is chasing a third PGA Tour title after victories at the 2023 Barracuda Championship and 2024 Texas Open.
“One out of every 30 events we play can get this challenging,” he said. “I’m just looking forward to that and having a good time.”
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler shot a 67 to share 22nd on 11-under 205, eight shots off the lead, while defending champion Rory McIlroy carded a 72 to share 39th on nine-under 207.
The two South Africans in the field, Aldrich Potgieter and Garrick Higgo, were four-under 212 (T60) and three-under 213 (T63) respectively.
Sunday’s forecast predicts gusts of around 35mph after players battled swirling winds late in round three.
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– AFP
Photo: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
Article Link: Bhatia grabs lead at breezy Pebble Beach