On Sunday, Collin Morikawa secured his first PGA Tour victory in over two years at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The win came after a dramatic final round where the lead changed hands multiple times. Akshay Bhatia, who started the day with a two-shot lead, finished tied for sixth.
Key Events and Timeline
The tournament concluded on Sunday, February 15, 2026. Collin Morikawa carded a final round of 5-under-par 67 to finish at 22-under 266, securing a one-shot victory. His win marked the end of a 45-start drought on the PGA Tour, with his last victory being the Zozo Championship in October 2023.
Final Round Leader: Akshay Bhatia began the final round with a two-shot lead.
Lead Changes: The final round saw numerous shifts in the lead, with players like Min Woo Lee and Sepp Straka also holding strong positions.
Morikawa's Finish: Morikawa birdied the 18th hole to secure his victory. A crucial shot on the 18th, an eagle from 186 yards to within 30 inches, briefly tied him for the lead.
Bhatia's Performance: Bhatia faltered with a closing 72, ending the tournament tied for sixth, three shots behind the winner.
Other Notable Performances: Sepp Straka finished one shot behind Morikawa, tied for second with Min Woo Lee. Scottie Scheffler finished tied for fourth with Tommy Fleetwood, extending his streak of consecutive top-10 finishes to 18.
Evidence of Performance
| Player | Final Round Score | Total Score | Position | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Collin Morikawa | 67 (-5) | 266 (-22) | 1st | Birdied 18th for victory, eagle on 18th from 186 yards to 30 inches, birdied 16th, bogeyed 17th. |
| Sepp Straka | 68 (-4) | 267 (-21) | Tied 2nd | Birdied 18th. |
| Min Woo Lee | 65 (-7) | 267 (-21) | Tied 2nd | Birdied final two holes. |
| Akshay Bhatia | 72 (E) | 269 (-19) | Tied 6th | Held two-shot lead entering final round, bogeyed 17th after flirting with ocean. |
| Scottie Scheffler | - | - | Tied 4th | 18 consecutive top-10 finishes, was 10 shots back after the first day. |
Navigating Pressure on the Back Nine
The closing holes of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am presented significant challenges. Morikawa faced a critical moment on the 17th hole, a par-3, where his tee shot approached the ocean, leading to a bogey. This dropped him into a tie with Min Woo Lee as they approached the 18th tee. Morikawa's ability to recover and then execute a precise approach shot on the 18th for a final birdie was pivotal. Similarly, Sepp Straka applied pressure with an eagle on the 18th, forcing Morikawa to make his final birdie to win outright.
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Bhatia's Final Round Performance
Akshay Bhatia entered the final round with a comfortable two-shot advantage, aiming for his maiden PGA Tour victory. However, the pressure of leading into Sunday appeared to impact his play. A closing round of even-par 72, which included a bogey on the 17th, saw him lose his outright lead. His performance illustrates the difficulty of closing out a tournament, particularly with other strong contenders making late charges.
Morikawa's Resilient Comeback
Collin Morikawa's victory was a testament to his resilience, especially considering his position earlier in the week. He was reported to be 13 shots back at one point on Friday. His performance throughout the weekend, culminating in a strong final round and a clutch finish, underscores his capacity to overcome significant deficits and deliver under intense pressure. This win represents a significant milestone after a lengthy period without a PGA Tour title.
Broader Tournament Context and Other Contenders
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am witnessed a competitive field, with established players like Scottie Scheffler and rising talents like Akshay Bhatia in contention. Scheffler's consistent performance, maintaining his streak of top-10 finishes, highlights his steady play. The shifting leaderboard throughout the final round indicates a challenging course, possibly exacerbated by weather conditions.
Expert Insights and Observations
On Morikawa's Performance: "He faced a wait that felt just as long on the final hole Sunday… He kept his poise, hit a 4-iron to the collar of the green and made birdie for a one-shot victory." (NBC Sports)
On the Final Holes: "Morikawa then gave an emotional message to his future child." (PGA TOUR on X)
On Bhatia's Challenge: Akshay Bhatia, who held a two-shot lead heading into the final round, faltered with a closing 72 to finish tied sixth, three shots behind the winner. (The Hindu)
Conclusion and Future Implications
Collin Morikawa's victory at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is significant for multiple reasons. It ends a prolonged title drought, affirming his status as a top contender on the PGA Tour. The dramatic fashion of his win, marked by a resilient comeback and a decisive finish, underscores his mental fortitude. For Akshay Bhatia, the tournament highlights the ongoing pursuit of his first PGA Tour win, with lessons learned from leading the final round. The consistent performance of players like Scottie Scheffler continues to set a high benchmark in professional golf. Morikawa's win also carries personal significance, as he announced his wife is expecting their first child.
Sources
The Hindu: Morikawa ends title drought as Bhatia finishes tied sixth. Published 25 minutes ago. https://www.thehindu.com/sport/other-sports/morikawa-ends-title-drought-as-bhatia-finishes-tied-sixth/article70640684.ece
NBC Sports: Collin Morikawa birdies 18th to win Pebble Beach, end more than two-year drought. Published 1 day ago. https://www.nbcsports.com/golf/pga-tour/news/collin-morikawa-birdies-18th-to-win-pebble-beach-end-more-than-two-year-drought
Sports Illustrated: Collin Morikawa Ends Drought, Wins at Pebble Beach. Published 1 day ago. https://www.si.com/college/cal/other-sports/collin-morikawa-ends-drought-wins-at-pebble-beach-01khhjqnpcss
ClutchPoints: Collin Morikawa makes incredible announcement after Pebble Beach win. Published 11 hours ago. https://clutchpoints.com/golf/pga-tour-news-collin-morikawa-announcement-pebble-beach-win
The Mercury News: Collin Morikawa wins Pebble Beach Pro-Am a decade after Cal debut. Published 19 hours ago. https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/02/15/collin-morikawa-wins-pebble-beach-pro-am-decade-after-cal-debut/
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