Golf fans were left stunned as Australian fan favorite Min Woo Lee suffered a dramatic meltdown on the final hole, his frustration boiling over as he hurled his ball into the Pacific Ocean. But here's where it gets controversial: while Lee's collapse grabbed headlines, tournament leader Akshay Bhatia is facing a storm of his own—accusations of using a banned putting technique. Is Bhatia cheating his way to the $5 million prize?
Lee, who started the day within striking distance of the lead, seemed poised to challenge for the top spot after an eagle on the 14th hole. However, his late-round unraveling, including a bogey-bogey finish, left him five shots behind Bhatia at the US$20 million Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The 27-year-old's frustration was palpable, culminating in his dramatic ball toss into the ocean—a moment that captured the raw emotion of high-stakes golf. And this is the part most people miss: Lee's struggles weren't just about missed shots; they were a battle against fierce winds and tricky course conditions that tested even the most seasoned players.
Bhatia, meanwhile, has been at the center of a different controversy. The left-handed golfer, who leads at 19-under par, uses a broomstick putter similar to Australia’s Adam Scott. Critics on social media have accused him of anchoring—a technique banned in professional golf. Bhatia fired back, defending his method on Instagram: “Not anchoring. Literally 2 inches short of my chest haha.” But the debate rages on: Is Bhatia bending the rules, or are his critics overreacting?
Adding to the drama, wild weather has forced an early start for the final round, with players teeing off as early as 2:22am AEDT on Monday to avoid an afternoon storm. Despite the challenging conditions, scores have been remarkably low, with Collin Morikawa shooting a stunning 10-under 62 to surge into second place. Morikawa, a two-time major champion, credited a mindset shift for his turnaround, revealing, “I came out to win, not just make cuts.”
As the tournament reaches its climax, questions linger. Can Bhatia hold off his challengers and silence his critics? Will Lee rebound from his meltdown? And what does this controversy mean for the future of putting techniques in golf? One thing’s for sure: this Pebble Beach Pro-Am has become must-watch TV, blending high drama, fierce competition, and a healthy dose of controversy. What’s your take? Is Bhatia’s putting style fair play, or does it cross the line? Let us know in the comments!
