Pebble Beach Saturday: A Leaderboard That’s Finally Getting Interesting
Look, I’ve been covering this tour long enough to know when a tournament is truly wide open versus when it just looks that way on paper. After two rounds at Pebble Beach, we’ve got ourselves a genuinely compelling situation heading into Saturday—and that’s refreshing, frankly.
What we’re seeing here is a perfect storm of opportunity, and it all hinges on one simple fact: Ryo Hisatsune isn’t running away from the field. At 15 under, he’s tied for the lead with Akshay Bhatia, but he’s not separated himself the way we’ve grown accustomed to seeing the leaders do in early-season events. That’s not a knock on Hisatsune—it’s just reality. This tournament format, with three different courses in play, has a way of redistributing the deck in ways that keep things interesting.
When Friday’s Charge Matters
Bhatia’s 64 at Spyglass Hill on Friday tells you everything you need to know about where this leaderboard sits. “Two-time PGA Tour winner Akshay Bhatia shot an impressive 64 on Friday at Spyglass Hill to charge into a tie for the lead at 15 under.” That’s the kind of round that doesn’t just move the needle—it announces you’re here to compete. In my thirty-five years around this game, I’ve learned that the players who can post that kind of score in the second round are the ones who often have the mental clarity to sustain pressure down the stretch.
What’s equally interesting is Rickie Fowler matching Bhatia’s 64 and sitting just one shot back. Rickie’s always been a guy who can get hot fast, and he knows this tournament. He’s won it before, and that experience—knowing how to manage three different tracks, understanding the wind patterns, knowing where the real estate is—that matters more than people realize.
The Middle of the Pack is Packed
Here’s where it gets really compelling: we’ve got Keegan Bradley and Jordan Spieth tied at 10 under, Rory McIlroy one shot further back at nine under, and “World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler rallied from a slow start to record a six-under 66 at Spyglass Hill in Round 2, putting him in the mix for the weekend.”
That last sentence is the one that matters most. Scottie doesn’t usually get put in position where he’s chasing—and when he does, watch out. I’ve caddied for guys like Tom Lehman who thrived in that exact position, and I’m telling you, there’s something about being four or five shots back that can light a fuse for the right competitor. Scottie’s had a slow start to his round, which means he’s probably irritated with himself. I’d rather be four shots back from him than four shots ahead.
The Format Advantage
One thing casual fans miss about this event is how the three-course rotation actually works in favor of depth. It’s not like a standard 72-hole tournament where one player might get hot on the same track and bury everyone. Here, you play Pebble Beach, then Spyglass, then back to Pebble on Saturday. That means your strengths on one course don’t guarantee anything when you move to another.
Saturday brings everyone back to Pebble Beach, which is significant. Pebble’s the anchor—it’s where the reputation is built, where the shots get remembered. After playing both Pebble and Spyglass over the first two rounds, players have feel for both venues. But Pebble on Saturday, in what I’m guessing will be increasingly firm conditions, is where this tournament gets decided.
What Saturday’s Coverage Looks Like
For those planning to tune in, Golf Channel begins coverage at 1 p.m. ET, with CBS taking over from 3-7 p.m. ET. If you want the real deal—the kind of coverage that lets you watch the featured groups make their moves—PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ starts at 11:30 a.m. ET and will have featured group and featured hole coverage throughout the day. That’s where I’d be if I were watching from home; you get to follow the actual tournament unfold rather than the highlight reel.
The Bottom Line
What strikes me about this leaderboard is its lack of a clear villain. Nobody’s three shots clear and coasting. Nobody’s so far back that they’re playing for pride. This is the kind of Saturday round where five different players could realistically wake up Sunday with a chance to win, and that’s exactly what makes Pebble Beach special. It’s not the easiest course to score on, which means Saturday’s going to be about execution, not just talent.
I’m looking forward to watching how these guys navigate it. If you’ve got the time, settle in with a coffee and watch the early groups come through. That’s where you’ll see who’s got the mettle for the weekend.
