PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — At the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Akshay Bhatia and Ryo Hisatsune quietly emerged as co-leaders Friday, both finishing at 15-under 129, the lowest 36-hole score since the tournament introduced a two-course format this year. Their steady play on Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill has put them ahead as the weekend approaches, showcasing their strong form amid favorable conditions.
Bhatia maintained a bogey-free record over his two rounds, benefiting from mild breezes and soft greens that made scoring easier. He recorded six birdies and an impressive chip-in eagle from 50 feet on the 14th hole, finishing with a 64. Hisatsune started with a remarkable 62 at Pebble Beach but experienced back-to-back bogeys mid-round at Spyglass Hill, which he countered with multiple birdies and an eagle, concluding with a 67.
Top Contenders Close Behind Including Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy
Close on their heels were Rickie Fowler, who posted a 64, and Sam Burns with a 67, both competing at Spyglass Hill. Not far behind were Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, and defending champion Rory McIlroy, all preparing to make their final push at Pebble Beach. Scottie Scheffler showed signs of momentum by shooting a 66, fueled by an impressive 5-under performance in his last seven holes, though he started the weekend nine shots off pace.
Regarding his progress, Scheffler remarked,
“I’d say ‘inched’ would be the operative word there,”
and added,
“We’ll see how it shakes out at the end of the day. I mean, it’s going to take two pretty special rounds, really three special rounds, but you’re never out of it. We’ll see what happens with the weather.”
– Scottie Scheffler, World No. 1 Golf Player
Anticipation Builds Over Taylor Swift’s Possible Appearance
Friday’s buzz was not centered on weather but rather on whether Taylor Swift would attend to watch her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, who is playing in the amateur field. Despite Swift being reportedly in town, she did not appear on the course. However, her connection to the event caused a significant surge in ticket sales, with $60,000 in sales linked to Kelce’s announcement and another $21,000 generated within 12 hours before his round.
Reflecting on the event’s atmosphere without Swift, Mackenzie Hughes shared,
“With her, I think it would have literally been pandemonium.”
– Mackenzie Hughes, Professional Golfer
Jordan Spieth’s Steady Play Reflects Course Challenges Ahead
For Spieth, conditions have been favorable though increasingly testing as the tournament progresses. After completing a 68 at Pebble Beach, he noted the course’s growing difficulty, saying,
“I thought that yesterday was a good day to be out here.”
He also highlighted the greens’ responsiveness and predicted harder conditions soon, stating,
“Pebble’s going to show more of its teeth the next two days.”
– Jordan Spieth, Professional Golfer
At this signature event, there is no 36-hole cut except for the amateurs, including Kelce, Pau Gasol, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and others, allowing the lead professionals to continue without elimination.
Akshay Bhatia’s Consistency Extends Over Multiple Tournaments
Bhatia’s remarkable form continues following his tie for third place at the Phoenix Open last week, having now played 44 consecutive holes without a bogey across his recent three rounds. He explained the value of staying bogey-free in challenging conditions, sharing,
“Bogey-free around these golf courses is great. Greens can get bumpy, you can get some really tough putts with how much slope’s on the greens. So I’ve been really steady inside 5 to 6 feet. … It’s just fun when you feel like you’re in a groove.”
– Akshay Bhatia, Professional Golfer
Rory McIlroy Seeks to Overcome Early Setbacks
Defending champion Rory McIlroy has faced challenges in breaking through in his first U.S. start of the year. After some promising moments, double bogeys on two occasions from short-range putts around 4 feet undermined his progress at Spyglass Hill. A crucial chip shot that ended up in a bunker on the par-5 14th hole resulted in a bogey that stalled his momentum. McIlroy candidly reflected on his performance, stating,
“I feel like I’ve been a little bit wasteful the last two days and maybe not capitalized on those great starts.”
– Rory McIlroy, Defending Champion
Scottie Scheffler Strives to Extend Consistent Top-10 Finishes
Scheffler expressed frustration with scoring consistency through Thursday and parts of Friday at Spyglass Hill until a strong finish, including an eagle on the par-5 seventh hole, helped him improve. His goal remains to extend his streak of 17 consecutive top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour. Currently tied for 33rd, he faces a challenging weekend as he looks to climb the leaderboard.
Final Rounds Set for Pebble Beach Amid Weather and Strategic Challenges
All players will return to Pebble Beach for the decisive final two rounds of the tournament, where conditions may differ significantly from earlier play. Hisatsune hopes for calm weather, saying, “Hopefully, no wind.” Meanwhile, speculation suggests that wind is more likely to impact play than any surprise appearances by high-profile celebrities like Taylor Swift.
The weekend’s outcomes at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am will be pivotal for contenders like Spieth, Bhatia, Hisatsune, McIlroy, and Scheffler as they pursue victory on this iconic golf stage.
