Get ready for a golf showdown that will leave you on the edge of your seat! The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am just delivered one of the most thrilling finishes in recent memory, with Collin Morikawa clinching his first PGA Tour victory since 2023 in a nail-biting finale. But here’s where it gets even more captivating: Scottie Scheffler nearly pulled off a historic comeback that had everyone holding their breath. Could this be the most dramatic tournament of the year?
Collin Morikawa’s journey to the top wasn’t easy. Starting Sunday two strokes behind Akshay Bhatia, he faced an uphill battle, especially after a sluggish start to his final round at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links. With tee times moved up due to looming bad weather, the pressure was on. Yet, the two-time major champion turned things around with a stellar back nine, carding a 34 on the front and surging to the top of a tightly packed leaderboard. A 10-foot birdie on the 11th, followed by back-to-back gains on the 15th, gave him a two-shot lead with just two holes to play. But this is golf—nothing is guaranteed. After a bogey on the 17th, Morikawa bounced back with a birdie on the par-five 18th, sealing a five-under 67 and a 22-under total, edging out Min Woo Lee and Sepp Straka.
And this is the part most people miss: Scottie Scheffler’s near-miraculous comeback. Trailing by a staggering 13 strokes at the halfway mark and eight strokes heading into the final day, Scheffler unleashed a round-of-the-day 63 that had fans in awe. Holing a 15-footer on the first, eagling the par-five second, and picking up another shot on the third, he was on fire. Even after missing a close birdie chance on the fourth, he responded with a 15-foot par save on the fifth and another eagle on the sixth. Despite a bogey on the eighth, his front-nine 30 set the stage for a thrilling finish. Back-to-back birdies from the 10th briefly put him within one of the lead, and a final-hole eagle after a spectacular iron shot to three feet nearly stole the show. Was Scheffler’s aggressive play a stroke of genius or a risky gamble?
Morikawa’s victory wasn’t just about his own performance—it was about holding off a bunched leaderboard that included Jacob Bridgeman, Sam Burns, and Lee, all of whom were within striking distance. Lee’s late surge, birdieing four of his last six holes, tied him with Morikawa at 21 under, but Morikawa’s composure under pressure sealed the deal. Straka joined Lee at 21 under after a blistering finish, while Tommy Fleetwood’s four birdies in his final six holes secured a tied-fourth finish alongside Scheffler.
Here’s a thought-provoking question: With Scheffler’s near-comeback and Morikawa’s clutch performance, are we witnessing a new era of golf where comebacks and clutch moments redefine the sport? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Rory McIlroy, defending his title, signed off with an eight-under 64 to share 14th place, expressing satisfaction with his game despite a few wayward tee shots. Meanwhile, Sam Burns, who briefly led after six birdies in his first 13 holes, faltered with a bogey on the 17th, finishing tied-sixth with Bhatia. Bridgeman’s late bogeys dropped him into a share of eighth.
Looking ahead, the PGA Tour stays in California for the Genesis Invitational, hosted by Tiger Woods’ foundation at Riviera Country Club. Ludvig Åberg returns as defending champion, with live coverage starting Thursday. Whether you’re a seasoned golf fan or a newcomer, this is one event you won’t want to miss. Will Morikawa’s victory be the start of a dominant season, or will Scheffler’s near-miss fuel his fire for future tournaments? The stage is set for another thrilling chapter in golf’s ongoing saga.
