Rory McIlroy’s Pebble Beach Pursuit: A Tale of Near Misses and Championship Ambition
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Rory McIlroy remains firmly in contention at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, but expressed frustration with opportunities slipped by during the second round. Despite a solid 67, McIlroy believes a more clinical approach could have positioned him closer to leader Akshay Bhatia.
The Frustration of Squandered Starts
McIlroy’s opening rounds of 68 and 67 showcased his potential, yet he feels a pattern of stalled momentum is hindering a more dominant performance. “I got off to a really good start again and then stalled on the back nine again,” McIlroy said. “So I feel like I’ve been a little bit wasteful the last two days and maybe not capitalized on those great starts.”
Analyzing the Misses: A Seem at Key Moments
Thursday’s round was marred by two three-putts leading to double bogeys, a rare occurrence for the Northern Irishman. Friday saw an eagle on the par-5 second and birdies on the fourth and seventh, but these gains were offset by dropped shots on the 10th and 14th. The 14th hole proved particularly troublesome, with a difficult chip from near a tree resulting in a bunker visit and a failed up-and-down.
The Importance of Momentum in Low-Scoring Conditions
With the tournament unfolding in low-scoring conditions, McIlroy emphasized the need to capitalize on positive starts. “It’s very low scoring, it’s soft. Hopefully if I can acquire off to a good start again tomorrow and pick up a few shots early I’ll be right in the mix,” he stated.
Shaking Off the Rust: A Season in Progress
McIlroy acknowledged that he is still finding his rhythm after the offseason, having begun his 2026 season on the DP World Tour. He attributed some of his inconsistencies to uncharacteristic putting errors, noting he has lost more than two strokes on the greens through two rounds. “Game feels pretty good actually, feels a little bit better than it did in Dubai a couple weeks ago,” he said. “Just trying to keep building on that.”
A Crowded Leaderboard: Championship Contenders Gather
McIlroy finds himself among a group of major champions within striking distance of the lead. Keegan Bradley, Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth, Xander Schauffele, and Tommy Fleetwood are all within six shots, setting the stage for a thrilling weekend at Pebble Beach.
FAQ
- How far behind the leader is Rory McIlroy? Rory McIlroy is six shots behind the leader, Akshay Bhatia.
- What was McIlroy’s score on Friday? McIlroy shot a 67 on Friday.
- What is McIlroy’s biggest frustration so far? McIlroy is frustrated with stalling on the back nine and not fully capitalizing on good starts.
Stay tuned for continued coverage of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am as the championship battle intensifies.
