GOLF
PEBBLE BEACH (USA), Feb 14: Akshay Bhatia and Ryo Hisatsune went about their business quietly at Spyglass Hill and wound up with a share of the lead Friday in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am.
Bhatia was bogey-free over two days at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill, both dry days with a mild breeze and soft greens that allowed for good scoring on both courses.
He had six birdies and chipped in from 50 feet for eagle on the 14th hole on his way to a 64.
Hisatsune, who opened with a 62 at Pebble Beach, stumbled in the middle of his round with consecutive bogeys, which he offset with enough birdies (and one eagle) before and after for a 67.
They were at 15-under 129, the lowest 36-hole since the tournament moved to a two-course rotation in 2024 as a signature event.
Rickie Fowler (64) and Sam Burns (67), both at Spyglass Hill, were one shot behind. Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth and defending champion Rory McIlroy were lurking. Scottie Scheffler finally got it going by playing his last seven holes in 5 under for a 66, though the world’s No. 1 player was still nine shots behind going into the weekend.
Bhatia, who tied for third in the Phoenix Open last week, now has gone 44 holes without a bogey over his last three rounds. (PTI)
