Min Woo Lee's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Round Ends in Dramatic Frustration
The picturesque setting of Pebble Beach Golf Links often evokes serene images, but Saturday's play at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was anything but calm for Australian PGA Tour star Min Woo Lee. Battling fierce winds and his own mounting frustration, Lee endured a tumultuous finish to his third round, culminating in an incident that saw him refuse to complete a crucial putt, much to the dismay of the onlooking crowds and the amusement of legendary commentator Jim Nantz.
A Tough Finish on the Monterey Peninsula
After a promising eagle on the par-5 14th hole, the notorious Monterey Peninsula course, already a stern test, became a formidable adversary for Lee. As the wind picked up significantly, the Australian saw his momentum falter. A dropped shot on the 17th was followed by a wayward drive on the 18th, forcing him to take a penalty drop and subsequently find a greenside bunker with his approach shot. The drama was far from over as he arrived on the green.
The Infamous 18th Hole Saga
As Lee prepared to address his par putt on the 18th, the wind gusts intensified, making the ball's oscillation on the putting surface a significant issue. Clearly exasperated, Lee backed off from his putt multiple times, a decision that led to a considerable delay and drew the ire of the gallery. The atmosphere turned tense as jeers began to echo around the famed 18th green. After a protracted period, Lee eventually struck his putt, but it sailed wide, resulting in another bogey to cap off a disastrous end to his round.
A Ball in the Ocean and Nantz's Quip
In a moment of sheer frustration, Lee then lobbed his golf ball into the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, a symbolic gesture of his immense disappointment. The entire ordeal on the 18th hole took over 30 minutes to conclude, highlighting the challenging conditions and Lee's internal struggle. CBS commentator Jim Nantz, known for his sharp wit, couldn't resist a lighthearted jab at Lee's pace of play, remarking from the broadcast booth, "We’ve got a wind gauge in the tower here and it’s gusting close to 30 (MPH) now. The way this storm is coming in, if he wants to wait to hit this, he’s going to have to wait until Thursday…"
Lee's Explanation and Perspective
Speaking after the round, Min Woo Lee acknowledged the difficulty of the situation. "I understand I have to hit the putt but when the ball is fully oscillating, it’s just hard to pull the trigger," he explained. "When there’s big gusts coming, it’s just tough. I want to, it’s just so hard to do that." He admitted that the last two holes were particularly breezy and that Sunday's final round would likely present similar challenges. "We’ll see how it goes tomorrow but it’s just one of those things, everyone’s going to be in it," Lee added. "I played really good, other than obviously the last two holes. Just a tough finish, I guess. It’s breezy, I mean, it not easy. It’s just one of those where you wish you played better but I don’t know, it is what it is." He also noted that the recent calm weather in previous tournaments had made the current windy conditions somewhat new to him and his fellow competitors.
Morikawa's Resurgence Amidst the Drama
While Lee battled his demons, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am witnessed a significant resurgence from two-time major champion Collin Morikawa. Morikawa delivered a stunning round of 10-under-par 62 on Saturday, propelling him into second place on the leaderboard, just two shots behind leader Akshay Bhatia. This performance marks a return to form for Morikawa, who has not secured a victory since the 2023 Zozo Championship. "Ball was going where I wanted, putts were dropping when I needed them," Morikawa commented on his impressive round. "I just never got ahead of myself. This game is stressful enough and I think I make it even more stressful for whatever reason. The last two days have felt kind of like my old self in just being able to control the golf ball.”
Looking Ahead to the Final Round
Min Woo Lee will begin Sunday's final round five shots adrift of leader Akshay Bhatia. Despite the frustrating finish, Lee remains in contention, though he will need to regroup and overcome the mental challenge presented by his Saturday performance. The final round of the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am promises further drama, with the challenging coastal conditions and a tightly packed leaderboard ensuring an exciting conclusion. The action will be broadcast live on talkSPORT 2, with the leading group set to tee off at 5:45pm UK time.
The events of Saturday serve as a stark reminder of the mental fortitude required in professional golf, particularly when faced with adverse weather and the pressures of competition. Min Woo Lee's experience at Pebble Beach will undoubtedly be a significant talking point as the final round unfolds.