Rory McIlroy Tames Wild Pebble Beach Conditions to Set Up Thrilling PGA Tour Sunday
Rory McIlroy showcased masterful control during challenging conditions at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, shooting a bogey-free 65 in the third round to position himself one shot behind leader Sepp Straka.
McIlroy adapted his strategy when winds picked up, opting to play more conservatively. "Let's just try to chip it around for the rest of the day," he told his caddie Harry on the sixth hole. This tactical shift paid off as he executed precise shots throughout the round.
His performance included three birdies in the first five holes, followed by crucial par saves on holes 10 and 11. As conditions improved late in the round, McIlroy capitalized with three more birdies on holes 15, 16, and 18 to finish at 15-under.
"I played well. I didn't make any mistakes," McIlroy reflected, sharing his goal to play mistake-free golf like Scottie Scheffler. A victory Sunday would make him just the third golfer in 30 years to achieve 27 PGA Tour wins and four majors, joining Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.
The tournament's star-studded leaderboard includes Shane Lowry (65), Justin Rose (68), and Tom Kim (68) all pursuing Straka, who maintained his lead with a closing birdie on 18. McIlroy's strong showing comes at a crucial time for the PGA Tour, which seeks to boost viewership through compelling competition at iconic venues.
The final round promises high-stakes drama as McIlroy aims for his first California victory since the 2015 WGC-Match Play at Harding Park.