The race to the top of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am leaderboard just got a whole lot more exciting! While Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, finds himself with ground to make up, it's Akshay Bhatia and Ryo Hisatsune who are stealing the show. Bhatia's stunning eight-under-par 64 at Spyglass Hill put him in a commanding position, sharing the lead with Hisatsune at a remarkable 15 under. But here's where it gets interesting: McIlroy, despite a strong finish with a birdie on the 18th, trails by six strokes heading into the weekend. The Northern Irishman's round was a rollercoaster, featuring five birdies and an eagle, but bogeys on the 10th and 14th left him with work to do. Hisatsune, meanwhile, showcased resilience, bouncing back from dropped shots to gain four strokes in his final five holes.
And this is the part most people miss: Rickie Fowler is quietly making a move, tying for second at 14 under as he seeks his first win since July 2023. Austria's Sepp Straka leads the European charge at 12 under, with England's Matt Fitzpatrick and big names like Keegan Bradley, Jordan Spieth, and Xander Schauffele close behind. Tommy Fleetwood, another Englishman, sits at nine under alongside McIlroy, while Ireland's Shane Lowry is just one shot back.
Scottie Scheffler, however, is the one to watch—his late surge with three birdies and an eagle brought him back into contention at six under. England's Justin Rose and Harry Hall, along with Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, are at five under, keeping the field tightly packed.
But here's the controversial part: With no 36-hole cut in this $20 million PGA Tour event, every player still has a shot, but does this format truly reward the best performers? All eyes will now turn to Pebble Beach for the third and fourth rounds, where the drama is sure to unfold. Who do you think will come out on top? Let’s hear your predictions in the comments!
