Strong wind suspends third round at Pebble Beach

PEBBLE BEACH, California — A strong wind was more than just a menace at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Saturday, bringing the tournament to a halt and setting up a Monday finish without the amateurs.

Keith Mitchell made it through the worst stretch of wind at Pebble Beach, so strong that he hit an eight-iron on the 106-yard seventh hole. Right when he thought he was off the hook by getting through the ocean holes, the horn blew to stop play.

“We knew going into today that those were going to be the tough holes. That was going to be the hardest stretch potentially all week,” Mitchell said. “If we could make it through that stretch in a relatively good score, I would be set up for the weekend.”

He made it through, and after a big drive on No. 11 with the wind at his back, he suddenly had the rest of the day off.

Peter Malnati topped the leaderboard at 12 under with six holes left in his round at Pebble Beach. He started on the back nine along the ocean in benign conditions, and he was on the fourth green, coming off three straight birdies, when play stopped.

Mitchell, playing alongside Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, and Joseph Bramlett, playing with Welsh soccer star Gareth Bale, were at 10 under. Kurt Kitayama, the 36-hole leader, and Hank Lebioda were three shots behind. They were at Spyglass Hill.

The culprit was the Shore course at Monterey Peninsula, particularly the stretch that runs along the ocean. Gary Young, the PGA Tour’s chief referee, began getting reports that balls were moving on the greens. He said one amateur hit a putt and the wind began to blow it back toward the player.

With a three-course rotation, play has to stop at all three courses. The PGA Tour was hopeful of restarting later in the afternoon, except the wind was relentless and the forecast didn’t provide any optimism. The third round was to resume this morning. The amateurs had the option to return and complete a proam that will be only 54 holes.

Mitchell was asked if he expected Allen to be among the amateurs to finish. “The guy was out practising in the rain and the wind when everybody was inside,” he said. “I can’t imagine him not showing up.”

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers was leading. His partner is Ben Silverman of Thornhill, Ont., and they were at 25-under par. That would point to some amazing golf by Rodgers, who plays off a 10 handicap and is getting limited help from Silverman, who was 2 over for the tournament.

The 54-hole cut typically is top 60 to account for the 25 amateurs. Now it will revert to top 65 and ties, and it will be professionals only for the final round. Young anticipates the lead group getting in nine holes.

Nick Taylor of Abbotsford, is tied for 18th at 6-under, Taylor Pendrith of Richmond Hill. Ont., is tied for 29th at 4-under, and Silverman and Michael Gligic of Burlington, Ont., are tied for 101st at 2-over.