Mickelson Jumps to 2nd Place "Title Defense GO"... Taylor Leads

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Day 3: 5 Under Par, Day 3 Third Place, Choi Kyung-ju 'Cut Off'

Phil Mickelson is teeing off on the 18th hole on the third day of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Pebble Beach, California, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] The veteran Phil Mickelson (USA) continues his march toward victory.

On the 9th (Korean time), at Pebble Beach Golf Links (par 72, 6,816 yards) in Pebble Beach, California, USA, during the third day of the PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (total prize money $7.8 million), Mickelson added 5 under par to rise to second place by one stroke (16 under par, 199 strokes). Nick Taylor (Canada) held the lead for the third consecutive day (17 under par, 198 strokes), dreaming of his first victory in 5 years and 3 months since the Sanderson Farms in November 2014. Jason Day (Australia) is in third place (14 under par, 201 strokes).

Mickelson started in third place, three strokes behind, and recorded six birdies and one bogey. He had a strong start with consecutive birdies on holes 1 and 2, and gained momentum with a birdie on the 6th hole (par 5). Although his tee shot landed in a bunker on the 12th hole (par 3), resulting in a bogey, he immediately bounced back by holing out from the greenside bunker on the 13th hole (par 4). He added a second consecutive birdie on the 14th hole (par 5) and finished on a high note with a birdie on the final 18th hole (par 5).

It is interesting that Mickelson swept birdies on all four par 5 holes. He unleashed drives up to 333 yards, missed the green only twice with his 'computer iron shots,' and combined that with an average of 1.56 'stingy putts.' Moreover, this tournament is a 'promised land' where he has already collected five titles in 1998, 2005, 2007, 2012, and 2019. This is a golden opportunity for him to defend his title and secure his 45th PGA Tour victory.

Mickelson is further motivated by the chance to secure a spot in the third major, the US Open, this June. Currently ranked 72nd in the world, he needs to break into at least the 'top 50' to qualify on his own merit. The US Open is the final puzzle to complete the 'Career Grand Slam,' sweeping all four different majors. He has agonized over six runner-up finishes in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2013.

Taylor's tenacity is formidable. He impressed with an 8-under-par round at Monterey Peninsula (par 71) on the first day and followed it up with a 6-under-par round at Pebble Beach Golf Links on the second day. This tournament rotates through three courses, including Spyglass Hill Course (par 72), before returning to Pebble Beach Golf Links for the final day’s intense battle for the title. Dustin Johnson (USA) remained tied for 7th place (9 under par, 206 strokes). South Korea’s K.J. Choi (50, SK Telecom), Kim Si-woo (25), and Kang Sung-hoon (33, CJ Logistics) all missed the cut.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.