Rory McIlroy Stumbles at Pebble Beach; Akshay Bhatia Leads Amid Storm Warnings
Rory McIlroy faced a disappointing setback during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. After a strong start featuring two birdies in his first three holes, McIlroy’s round deteriorated with a triple-bogey on the fourth hole. His performance left him in a challenging position, trailing by ten strokes behind the leader, Akshay Bhatia.
McIlroy’s Triple-Bogey Nightmare
McIlroy began the day confidently but quickly unraveled on the fourth hole. His troubles began with a wayward drive, followed by a mishit recovery and an unsuccessful attempt from the bunker. The result was a disastrous three-over-par seven on that hole.
Current Standings
After finishing the round at even par, McIlroy sits significantly behind American golfer Akshay Bhatia, who leads with an impressive score of 19-under. Bhatia maintained his overnight lead despite a late struggle, recorded as two-over in his final ten holes.
- Akshay Bhatia: 19-under
- Scottie Scheffler: 8 shots off the lead (bogey-free 67)
- Collin Morikawa: Round of 62, tied for second
- Tommy Fleetwood: 5 shots off the lead, tied for seventh
Challenging Weather Conditions Ahead
The final round is set to face further complications, with weather forecasts predicting strong winds and rain. Consequently, tee times have been adjusted to start an hour earlier. This change aims to mitigate the impact of adverse weather.
Players like Jake Knapp expressed the need to manage challenges posed by the elements, stating, “You’re going to have some funky stuff happen.”
Players Under Pressure
Several golfers experienced difficulties on the course during the third round. Jacob Bridgeman, who shot a 68, found himself three shots behind Bhatia. He had to navigate tricky situations, while Min Woo Lee and Ryo Hisatsune faced their own trials, including moving their balls due to the strong winds.
As the competition heats up, viewers can look forward to the concluding round. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am can be watched live on Sky Sports, with coverage continuing at 4 PM.
