Sepp Straka is looking for back-to-back PGA Tour victories at this weekend’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Fresh off winning The American Express, the European Ryder Cup hopeful holds the 54-hole lead at the iconic Monterey Peninsula course.
Straka is 16 under after carding a two-under 70 at Pebble Beach on Saturday, and the Austrian’s efforts are all the more impressive after he revealed he’s battling flu and cold symptoms.
Sepp Straka struggling at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Speaking after his round, Straka confirmed that he was not feeling 100%.
“Yeah, battled some flu symptoms out there most of the week,” Straka said.
“Yeah, honestly, the pro-am format might have helped me the first two days; it was kind of a slow round, so I could kind of take my time and save some energy.
“Yeah, definitely feeling a little bit fatigued, but honestly, with these conditions, even if I was 100 per cent, I would be feeling a little bit fatigued. Yeah, just looking forward to tomorrow.”
Straka’s illness comes after Ludvig Aberg was struck with sickness at the Farmers Insurance Open. The Swede played the first round at the AT&T before withdrawing.
Strong leaderboard emerges at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Straka will face intense competition during Sunday’s final round at Pebble Beach. A stacked leaderboard has emerged, with Rory McIlroy the eye-catching name in contention.
The four-time major winner shot a third-round 65 to bounce back brilliantly from what was a disappointing stretch of holes on day two. McIlroy birdied the first, second, fifth and eighth to head out in 32 before picking up three more shots on the back nine.
McIlroy wants more bogey-free rounds this year, and his superb Saturday outing at Pebble Beach has put the 35-year-old in a strong position.
Elsewhere, world number one Scottie Scheffler is ten-under after carding a 69. Scheffler is six shots back of Straka and will need a go low on Sunday to contend.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
