Spieth goes from cliff's edge to contention at Pebble Beach

Jordan Spieth put himself into the mix Saturday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am title, and he lived to tell about it.

On a day when Seamus Power went backward to allow a half-dozen other players back in the game, Spieth went backward just to make sure he didn't fall over a 60-foot cliff.

Even if it might have looked more dangerous than it was, his approach from the edge of the cliff on the eighth hole at Pebble Beach stole the show on a Saturday that typically belongs to Bill Murray, Macklemore and the rest of the celebrities.

Spieth had a 9-under 63, his career low at Pebble Beach, to go from 10 strokes behind Power to one shot behind the leading trio of Beau Hossler, Andrew Putnam and Tom Hoge.

“That was by far the most nerve-wracking shot I've ever hit in my life,” Spieth said to caddie Michael Greller after his shot went just left of the green.

His tee shot ran out through the fairway, short of going over the edge. Keeping all the weight on his right leg, Spieth hit the shot and immediately backpedaled to level ground. From the rough, he chipped down the slippery green to 18 feet and made the par putt.

It was high entertainment on a Saturday built for such theatrics. And while the celebrities attracted a big gallery that lined fairways on another glorious day, the final round was loaded with possibilities.

Hossler had a 65 at Pebble Beach, narrowly missing a second eagle of the round on the 18th hole. He was the first to reach 15-under 200.

Putnam started on the back nine at Pebble Beach and ran off five straight birdies with hardly anyone watching, finishing with a par for a 68 at Pebble Beach. Hoge was at Spyglass Hill and shot a 68 to join them.

Patrick Cantlay, at No. 4 the highest-ranked player in the field, started and finished his round with a pair of birdies and didn't do a lot in between. He had a 68 and was one shot behind, along with Spieth and Joel Dahmen.

“I'm in great position and I love this golf course and everyone will be playing on the same golf course tomorrow so it should be fun,” Cantlay said.