The 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is shaping up to be a thrilling showdown, and one name is already stealing the spotlight: Akshay Bhatia. But here's where it gets intriguing—while Bhatia shares the lead, the leaderboard is packed with golf's biggest stars, each vying for the top spot. Could this be the weekend where Bhatia clinches the biggest win of his young career, or will a seasoned veteran like Rickie Fowler steal the show? And this is the part most people miss: the weather forecast could turn this tournament on its head.
After two rounds, Akshay Bhatia and Ryo Hisatsune sit atop the leaderboard at 15-under par. Bhatia, the young left-handed prodigy, has been nothing short of spectacular, delivering a bogey-free performance across Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. His iron play has been the standout, ranking third in strokes gained on approach—a critical advantage on Pebble Beach's notoriously small greens. Bhatia's tee-to-green precision, coupled with a flawless 6-for-6 up-and-down record, has him poised for greatness. But can he sustain this momentum as the pressure mounts?
Sharing the lead is Ryo Hisatsune, the Japanese sensation who’s been on fire early this season. After a blistering 62 in the first round, Hisatsune cooled slightly on Friday but still managed a solid 67. His putting has been his secret weapon, and his comfort on poa greens—a surface that frustrates many—could give him an edge. But with the weather expected to turn nasty, will his hot putter hold up?
Trailing by just one stroke is Rickie Fowler, who’s staging a remarkable comeback. After a 64 at Spyglass Hill, Fowler is now in prime position to contend for his first win since 2023. Historically, Pebble Beach hasn’t been his strongest course, but this week, his iron play has been unmatched, gaining 4.8 strokes on approach. Fowler credits his improved physical condition after battling a shoulder injury last year, and his extended time off seems to have paid dividends. But can he maintain this level of play through the weekend’s challenging conditions?
Here’s where it gets controversial: While Bhatia and Hisatsune are the leaders, the chase pack includes heavy hitters like Sam Burns, Sepp Straka, and a resurgent Jordan Spieth. Burns, known for his scorching putter, is just one stroke back. Straka, a top-10 finisher at Pebble last year, is in the mix again. And Spieth, though not at his peak, is showing glimpses of his former self—enough to spark hope among fans. But with winds expected to pick up and rain on the horizon, will the leaders hold on, or will the chase pack capitalize on the tougher conditions?
The weather forecast adds another layer of drama. Light winds and soft greens have created ideal scoring conditions so far, but starting Saturday afternoon, winds of 17-21 mph and rain are expected to make the course far more treacherous. For the leaders, it’s about holding their ground; for the chasers, it’s about capitalizing on the chaos. Here’s a thought-provoking question: In such unpredictable conditions, do you trust the ball-strikers like Fowler and Straka, or do you bet on the putters like Hisatsune and Burns to save the day?
Looking at the odds, Bhatia leads at +340, followed by Fowler and Hisatsune at 11/2. But don’t count out the long shots like Rory McIlroy (22/1) or Scottie Scheffler (longer odds), who could surge in tougher conditions. Scheffler, in particular, is coming off a near-comeback in Phoenix and can’t be written off.
As the tournament heads into the weekend, one thing is clear: this is anyone’s game. Will Bhatia’s ball-striking brilliance prevail? Will Fowler’s iron play carry him to victory? Or will an underdog emerge from the pack? What’s your take? Do you think the leaders will hold on, or will the weather shake up the leaderboard? Let us know in the comments—this is one tournament you won’t want to miss!
