Akshay Bhatia Takes the Lead at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
On February 14, 2026, at 8:06 PM ET, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am saw a dramatic shift in the weather, with strong winds and chilly Pacific air affecting the gameplay. Despite the challenging conditions, Akshay Bhatia managed to secure a two-shot lead with a 4-under 68, bringing his total score to 19-under 197.
The third round of the tournament was marked by intense winds that caused golf balls to wobble on the greens, making it difficult for players to maintain their focus. However, Bhatia’s impressive performance, which included six birdies in seven holes, helped him take the lead. His strategy of taking advantage of the opening seven holes, which is a common approach at Pebble Beach when the wind is not a significant factor, paid off.
Collin Morikawa’s Impressive Comeback
Collin Morikawa, a two-time major champion, made a remarkable comeback with 11 birdies in his round of 62, propelling him up 25 spots on the leaderboard to a three-way tie for second place with Jake Knapp and Sepp Straka. Morikawa’s performance was a testament to his skill and determination, as he hit all 18 greens in regulation.
Knapp, who started and finished with an eagle, also had a notable performance. He holed out from 130 yards on the par-4 first hole and rode the wind for an approach to 12 feet for eagle on the par-5 18th. Sam Burns also had an impressive start, holing out for eagle, but his overall performance was affected by the challenging weather conditions.
Challenges Ahead
As the tournament heads into its final round, players are bracing themselves for even more challenging weather conditions, with forecasts predicting big winds and rain. The starting times for the final round have been moved up by an hour to accommodate the expected weather conditions. Despite the challenges, players like Bhatia, Morikawa, and Knapp are determined to perform their best and make the most of the opportunity.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy is currently 10 shots behind the leader, having had a triple bogey and a double bogey in his third round. Scottie Scheffler, who is trying to extend his streak of top 10s on the PGA Tour to 18, had a bogey-free 67 and is still eight shots behind the leader.
The final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am promises to be an exciting and challenging conclusion to the tournament. With the weather conditions expected to worsen, players will need to dig deep and find the mental and physical strength to navigate the course and come out on top. As Knapp said, “It’s not going to be pretty at all times. You’re going to have some funky stuff happen and just have to deal with it.”
