PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -- Akshay Bhatia is making it look easy on one of golf's most demanding stretches of coastline. The young American carved his way through Spyglass Hill with a bogey-free 8-under 64 on Friday, vaulting into a share of the lead at the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am alongside first-round leader Ryo Hisatsune at 15-under par.

What makes Bhatia's performance all the more remarkable is the fact that he has yet to drop a single shot through 36 holes. After an opening 65, his follow-up 64 was a masterclass in precision and composure, navigating the treacherous Spyglass Hill layout without so much as a blemish on his card. In a tournament that rotates across some of the most scenic and punishing courses in professional golf, that kind of consistency is almost unheard of.

Hisatsune, who seized the first-round lead and set the early pace for the field, managed to hold his ground through the second round, keeping his name atop the leaderboard. The Japanese star has shown a steady hand under pressure, and the weekend promises a fascinating duel between two players brimming with confidence.

But the story of the day may well belong to Rickie Fowler. The fan favorite produced a scintillating 8-under 64 of his own at Spyglass Hill, matching Bhatia shot for shot to surge into solo third at 14-under, just one stroke off the pace. Fowler, who has endured stretches of inconsistency in recent seasons, looked every bit the player who once commanded the world's top ten. His round was a reminder that when Fowler's putter gets hot and his iron play sharpens, he remains one of the most dangerous competitors in the game.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy sits at 9-under par heading into the weekend, six shots off the lead but well within striking distance. McIlroy knows this terrain better than most, having lifted the trophy here just twelve months ago, and no one in the field would be surprised to see him mount a signature Sunday charge.

The same cannot be said for world number one Scottie Scheffler, who finds himself in unfamiliar territory after an opening-round even-par 72. The dominant force in men's golf over the past two years was left scrambling to make the cut, a rare sight for a player who has set the standard for consistency on the PGA Tour.

Beyond the ropes, the tournament has generated an unusual buzz thanks to a spike in ticket sales fueled by rumors surrounding Taylor Swift. With her partner Travis Kelce participating in the Pro-Am portion of the event, Swifties descended on the Monterey Peninsula in droves, hoping for a glimpse of the pop superstar against the backdrop of Pebble Beach's iconic cliffs. The crossover of sports and pop culture has injected a fresh energy into the galleries, with crowds noticeably larger and louder than in previous years.

As the tournament moves into the weekend, all eyes will be on whether Bhatia can maintain his flawless run or if the pressure of leading at Pebble Beach will finally produce a crack in his armor. With Fowler charging, McIlroy lurking, and the unpredictable nature of links-adjacent golf always a factor, the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is shaping up to deliver a memorable finish along the California coast.