Key Highlights
- Australia’s Min Woo Lee fumed after a late collapse in the third round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
- Akshay Bhatia leads the tournament with $5 million on the line, facing social media backlash over his putting technique.
- Tommy Fleetwood was impressed by the low scores despite challenging weather conditions.
- Collin Morikawa rose 25 places to share second place after a ten-under par round.
The Final Round’s Tension Builds
As the sun sets over Pebble Beach, the tension is palpable. Min Woo Lee, once an Australian cult hero, finds himself in a familiar position: fuming. The 27-year-old, who was leading after two rounds and had seemingly seized control of the PGA Tour’s signature event, found himself left frustrated after a final hole meltdown that cost him five shots.
Lee’s woes began on the par-5 14th where he made an eagle but unraveled badly during his last three holes.
A bogey at the par-3 17th and a wayward drive on the par-5 18th, leading to a greenside bunker shot that found its way into a cart path, set up a grueling final put. Lee’s frustration was evident as he missed the putt past the hole, swore in anger, and then threw his ball into the Pacific Ocean, an image that captured the moment.
The Leader’s Dilemma
Akshay Bhatia, the current leader with a score of -19, faces his own challenges. The left-hander has been accused of anchoring his putter, a technique banned by the PGA Tour. Bhatia tried to quell the controversy with an Instagram post: “Not anchoring.
Literally 2 inches short of my chest haha.” His statement did little to appease fans who are divided on the issue.
As he heads into the final round, Bhatia is leading by two shots over Collin Morikawa and Sepp Straka. Morikawa’s incredible ten-under par 62 saw him rise 25 places in the leaderboard, putting pressure back on his competitors. The reigning FedEx Cup champion’s comeback was nothing short of a masterclass in ball-striking, with 11 birdies in his round.
Weather Woes and Low Scores
The unpredictable weather at Pebble Beach has made for an interesting tournament. Tommy Fleetwood, the defending champion, noted that while scores were low, it was not as easy a day as it seemed with strong winds and challenging conditions. “I mean the scoring’s been amazing today and I don’t think it was that easy of a day,” he said.
Despite the tough conditions, Min Woo Lee’s collapse has shifted focus to those who are still in contention. Jason Day is tied 31st at 10-under for the tournament after a second successive 68, adding another layer of intrigue as the final round gets underway.
Aussie Hero’s Frustration
You might think this is new, but Lee’s meltdown is not. It’s part of the game where emotions run high and expectations are high. As we look to the final day, it will be interesting to see if Lee can turn his performance around or if Bhatia and the rest can hold on to their leads.
The 2026 PGA Tour’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am continues to unfold with drama at every turn. Stay tuned for more updates as the action intensifies.