Akshay Bhatia Leads at Pebble Beach

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Akshay Bhatia showcased a stellar performance at Pebble Beach, starting strong in favorable weather conditions and establishing a five-shot lead by the halfway point.

However, as the day progressed, the weather took a turn for the worse. With more spectators savoring hot drinks than cold beverages, the scenic course revealed its challenging side during the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Bhatia managed to maintain his lead, finishing the round with a 4-under 68 and a two-shot advantage.

“Overall, it was an odd day,” Bhatia remarked. “I felt like I slipped a bit towards the end, but I realized others faced even harder conditions later on.”

Bhatia impressed early on, sinking six birdies in the first seven holes. Despite two bogeys and no birdies over the last 11 holes, he retained the lead. The final round start times were shifted forward by one hour due to impending wind and rain, challenging players to stay resilient.

Some players still found success; Collin Morikawa tallied an impressive 11 birdies in a round of 62, elevating him 25 spots to tie for second with Jake Knapp (66) and Sepp Straka (67).

Bhatia’s day included a perfect start, but wind conditions led to his first bogey on the par-3 12th when a gust pushed his tee shot off course. He faced another bogey on the par-3 17th, missing a short putt. Finishing with a total of 19-under 197, Bhatia remained in control despite the tough conditions.

Entertainment was still abundant, with players like Knapp beginning and ending with eagles. Meanwhile, defending champion Rory McIlroy lagged significantly behind after a rough outing, noting several key holes that hurt his performance. Upcoming rounds promise further difficulty, but also potential for exciting gameplay.