Bhatia Battles wind to 68, holds slender Pebble Beach lead

Akshay Bhatia tamed gusting winds with six birdies in seven holes for a 4-under 68 in the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, holding a slim lead at 19-under 197 despite back-nine bogeys.

The two-time PGA Tour winner and recent Phoenix T3 finisher started tied for the lead with Ryo Hisatsune. Calm morning conditions fueled his front-nine 30, including five birdies inside 10 feet—he led by five at one point. Wind strengthened, ending his 47-hole bogey-free streak with drops at the par-3 12th (overcooked tee) and 17th (bunker mishap after 38 on the back).

Sunday’s final round tees off an hour early amid forecasts of heavy wind and rain.

Collin Morikawa torched Spyglass Hill with an 11-birdie 62, rocketing 25 spots to T2 (with Jake Knapp’s eagle-bookended 66 and Sepp Straka’s 67) at 18-under—his best bid to snap a two-year winless skid.

Sahith Theegala (72) sits T60; Aaron Rai (72) T75. Defending champ Rory McIlroy stumbled to 72 with a beach triple at No. 4 and OB double at 18, now 10 back. Scottie Scheffler birdied his way to 67, inching to eight off the pace while chasing an 18th straight top-10.

Photo – PGA Tour