AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Power ranking the top ten pros
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is one of the PGA TOUR’s most scenic stops, and it also gives this week’s field an early look at the 2019 U.S. Open venue. Who will look to make an early mark in this week’s power rankings?
After the frenzied party that was the Waste Management Phoenix Open, we move to the prestige and beauty of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
The views and the tournament history are not the only things to change. So does the format.
Last week saw the entire field cram onto the Stadium course at TPC Scottsdale, whereas this week the first three rounds are divided up between Spyglass Hill, Monterey Peninsula and Pebble Beach. Pebble gets the nod on Sunday for the top 60 and ties who make the 54-hole cut versus the traditional 36-hole cut.
It’s also obviously a pro-am style event, so expect to see long rounds and plenty of golf shots by people not normally paid to hit them. This might not be the week to ride with an impatient golfer.
All three courses are under 7,000 yards with Pebble and Spyglass at par 72 and Monterey par 71. All the greens are poa annua, which can play bumpy. California natives get an early nod, as they often putt these well.
The fairways are relatively wide, but it’s trouble if you miss them. Pebble Beach’s greens are the smallest on Tour, so playing from the short grass is essential. In the end, though, it’s a second-shot course and strokes gained approach, particularly from 100-150 yards, are important. So is par-5 scoring.
Also of note, Shotlink stats are only recorded at Pebble Beach. While we’ve got plenty of analytical data to work with from other sites on the TOUR calendar, the lack of this information at Monterey Peninsula and Spyglass Hill makes for a more “traditional” breakdown.
Pebble Beach is hosting this year’s U.S. Open in June. It’ll play tougher come summertime, but some players are making it out to get an early look this week.
Here are my ten favorites to claim a victory at one of golf’s hallowed grounds.