Collin Morikawa put together the kind of round on Saturday that reminds us just how dialed-in he can be when everything clicks. A 10-under 62 at Pebble Beach is impressive on its own-but when you consider he hit all 18 greens in regulation, it becomes something else entirely.
That’s only the third time he’s done that on the PGA Tour, and doing it on Pebble’s famously tiny greens? That’s elite-level ball-striking.
Morikawa’s third round was a masterclass in precision. He was in full control tee to green, and when he needed a little creativity, he delivered-none better than his closing bunker shot on 18, which he nestled to kick-in range for a closing birdie. That got him into the clubhouse at 17 under and, at the time, into solo second.
What made this round even more impressive was the way he finished. Morikawa caught fire down the stretch, carding five birdies over his final six holes.
That kind of momentum on a course like Pebble, especially in tougher conditions, is no small feat. Now, with his round in the books, he’ll wait to see how the leaders handle that same back nine.
The man he’s chasing, Akshay Bhatia, hasn’t blinked yet-no bogeys through his first 47 holes and a four-shot cushion over Morikawa. But Pebble Beach has a way of testing even the steadiest players, particularly on the closing stretch. If Bhatia stumbles, even just a little, Morikawa’s stellar Saturday could set the stage for a dramatic Sunday finish.
For now, Morikawa has done his part. He’s posted a number, he’s put pressure on the leader, and he’s shown once again why he’s one of the most consistent and dangerous players when his iron game is locked in.