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Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Featured Groups for Thursday, Friday

By Tim Letcher

FORT WORTH, TEXAS - JUNE 11: Jordan Spieth of the United States talks to Rickie Fowler of the United States on the fifth hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge on June 11, 2020 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, TEXAS - JUNE 11: Jordan Spieth of the United States talks to Rickie Fowler of the United States on the fifth hole during the first round of the Charles Schwab Challenge on June 11, 2020 at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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The PGA Tour heads to a familiar spot this week as the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am takes place in California. This is one of the more legendary stops on the PGA Tour circuit.

Just look at the names of the players who have won this event. Sam Snead, Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have all claimed the title at this event at some point, or points, during their career.

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This year’s field does have some star power, although a number of the world’s best players have opted to not play here in 2021. Here’s a look at the five groups you should keep an eye on in the first two rounds.

Rickie Fowler, Jordan Spieth, Nick Taylor (Thursday, Pebble Beach, 1:09 ET; Friday, Spyglass Hill, 11:52 ET) – Fowler missed another cut next week but surely he will get over the hump at some point, right? Spieth, who won here in 2017, had an amazing Saturday round at the Phoenix Open before slipping back on Sunday. Still, it was his best result in a while. And Taylor is the defending champion, in case you have forgotten.

Patrick Cantlay, Jason Day, Si Woo Kim (Thursday, Pebble Beach, 1:20 ET; Friday, Spyglass Hill, 12:03 ET) – Cantlay is the highest-ranked player in the field this week. He’s already won during 2021 and is always a threat to win again. Day was the runner-up here in 2018 and remains one of the most naturally gifted players in the game. Kim also has a 2021 win. He continues to fly under the radar despite his immense talent.

Paul Casey, Max Homa, Phil Mickelson (Thursday, Spyglass Hill, 12:03 ET; Friday, Pebble Beach, 1:09 ET) – Casey won on the European Tour last week and comes to California playing some of the best golf of his career. Homa is one of the best Twitter follows on tour and was in contention at the American Express in January before a tough final round. Mickelson is a five-time winner here (1998, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2019) and could still threaten this season.

Stewart Cink, Francesco Molinari; Brandt Snedeker (Thursday, Spyglass Hill, 12:14 ET; Friday, Pebble Beach, 1:20 ET) – Cink has had a very good start to the 2020-21 season, finding his game again at age 47. Molinari is a former major champion who has show recent flashes that he might be coming out of a slump. Snedeker won here in 2013 and, if his putter gets hot, could be in contention again.

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Ryan Armour, Daniel Berger, Jim Furyk (Thursday, Spyglass Hill, 1:20 ET; Friday, Pebble Beach, 12:03 ET) – Armour has a pair of Top 25 finishes already this season, including a T8 at the Bermuda Championship. Berger is ranked 15th in the world and already has a pair of Top 10s in 2021. Furyk, at age 50, has made the cut in both of his starts on the PGA Tour so far this season.

The scenery at Pebble Beach is always stunning. Here’s hoping that the golf is that way this week as well.

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