Tom Kim says he experienced something on day three at Pebble Beach which he’s never had before in his golfing career

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Pebble Beach showed its teeth on day three of the AT&T Pro-Am as wind and rain tested the world’s best players.

The first two days saw Pebble Beach’s fast greens challenge the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Sepp Straka.

However, once the rain came down, the iconic Monterey Peninsula course provided a very different test. Those at the top of the leaderboard had to flight shots down to avoid running into trouble in the gusty conditions.

One player who is firmly in contention is Tom Kim – and the South Korean admitted the wind at Pebble Beach was unlike anything he’s seen before.

Tom Kim discusses Pebble Beach conditions at AT&T Pro-Am

Speaking during his post-round press conference, Kim explained why the conditions in California were unique.

“I don’t think I have. Just because I think the wind gets over-exaggerated because there are no trees at all, so when you’re standing on seven, and you’re completely exposed, like if I try to hit a normal 6-iron from 100 yards, it could have been short of the hole. I hit seven, and I hit it low, but I think the British Open is as close as it gets. Sometimes, you might get lucky with a few trees and a few bushes. No, it was a very interesting round,” Kim said.

“I don’t think anyone really enjoys this kind of weather, but it definitely rewards good ball-striking and a lot of really, really good mental game. When you kind of start the day knowing the conditions you’re going to have, and you kind of put yourself in a mindset that OK, I’m just going to take it shot by shot, and whatever I do, I’m just going to put a positive attitude, you can kind of do that and you’re just going to plot away, good things are going to come your way.”

• READ MORE: Tom Kim says whether playing TGL has hurt his preparations for Pebble Beach and negatively impacted his game

Tom Kim cards up-and-down round at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Kim’s 68 (four under) on Saturday means he’s two shots back of leader Sepp Straka. However, it wasn’t a simple day for the South Korean.

Kim made eight birdies in total but also ran into trouble. The 22-year-old dropped a shot on the daunting par-five 14th and also made a bogey on the 17th. During his post-round media duties, Kim claimed getting under par was a good achievement.

“I mean, just to have a round under par today is definitely a big win. It was a different beast out there today, so to be able to grind that out and actually put a really good number to give myself a chance tomorrow is really big. Yeah, just kind of excited to wake up and grind it out,” he added.

Sepp Straka currently leads the way at 16 under. Rory McIlroy’s bogey-free third round means he’s one shot back in a tie for second alongside Shane Lowry.