After starting the day with a six-shot deficit, Rory McIlroy is in contention at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. McIlroy had a fantastic Round 3, carding

PEBBLE BEACH — Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans together last year, shared beer and pizza expenses for the media on Thursday when each made a hole-in-one, and matched scorecards on Saturday at Pebble Beach Golf Links. The Irishmen seem to be moving in lockstep these days.

McIlroy's 7-under 65 on Saturday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was an example of what's great about the PGA Tour – an elite round in challenging conditions on one of the world's most compelling venues.

Gusts will reach 30 miles per hour throughout the day, and given Pebble Beach’s proximity to the Pacific Ocean, anything can happen. That means Sepp Straka’s three-shot lead is nowhere near safe, despite the Austrian posting a pair of 7-under 65s over the first 36 holes.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are one shot behind leader Sepp Straka going into Sunday's final round of the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California.

The weather brought back romantic images of the old “Crosby Clambake,” with a cold wind whipping off the Pacific Ocean and light rain, generally miserable weather for golf except at Pebble Beach — at least for those watching.