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2020 PGA Tour: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Preview

Matt Kutcher lines up putt

The tour swaps the belligerence and debauchery for slightly more subdued climes this week, returning to the West Coast for the Pebble Beach Pro-Am.  The Pro-Am always brings its own idiosyncratic set of delights and frustrations.  

Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports

US PGA Tour 2020 | AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Pebble Beach Golf Links
Shore Course, Monterey Peninsula Country Club | Spyglass Hill
Thursday 6 February – Sunday 9 February

The sight of Alice Cooper and Bill Murray rubbing shoulders with PGA Tour professionals has a certain degree of charm. But that quickly evaporates as the slow pace of play makes the first three days and arduous watch. This event dates back more than 70 years, with AT&T the chief sponsor since 1986. The iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links, host to last year’s US Open, will be one of three course the players alternate over the first three days. The top 60 professionals and ties will once again take on the idyllic Pebble on Sunday.

Pebble Beach is a links-style classic that will obviously play easier with the amateur makeover. It still contains some of the smallest greens on the tour, meaning pin-point accuracy from the fairways will be critical. Like Pebble, Monterry hugs the Pacific and is at the mercy of any coastal gusts. Both of these courses tend to play easier than the inland option: Spyglass Hill. The Robert Trent Jones designed opened in 1966 and is a tough, tree-lined test. This event has heavily favoured American participants over the years. Since 1994, only Vijay Singh has broken the stranglehold that the Americans have had on this event. It also tends to reward familiarity, with a host of repeat winners to its name.

Speaking of repeat winners, Phil Mickelson will be aiming to surpass Mark O’Meara and become the sole owner of most Pebble Beach titles. The defending champion is aiming for his 6th title a week after impressing in the Saudi International.  Dustin Johnson left his surge slightly too late in Saudi Arabia but will still be the overwhelming favourite this week. The two-time champion here is building up a head of steam as the season starts to heat up. Patrick Cantlay has been slightly subdued of late while the likes of Jason Day and Brandt Snedeker also boast excellent tournament form. Graeme McDowell returns to the sight of his 2010 US Open triumph, just a week after capturing a magnificent Saudi victory.

Past Winners
2019: Phil Mickelson (-19)
2018: Ted Potter Jnr (-17)
2017: Jordan Spieth (-19)
2016: Vaughan Taylore (-17)
2015: Brandt Snedeker (-22)

Outright Betting (To Win)
Dustin Johnson (15/2)
Patrick Cantlay (12/1)
Jason Day (18/1)
Matt Kuchar (18/1)
Paul Casey (20/1)

Value Bets


Jordan Spieth
To Win (40/1), To Place (17/2)
There has to be a turning point for three-time Major Champion Jordan Spieth. And this week should suit him perfectly. The short-game specialist thrives the smaller-than-average greens at Pebble, as evidenced by his victory in the 2017 edition. He also has finishes of T4 and T7 in this event. In fact, he has yet to miss a cut in seven appearances in this event. Last year’s tie for 45th was by far his worst result here: his worst result in his last six starts was T22. Spieth has been in a spiral, with his last top 10 coming at the CJ Cup in October. But I have faith in the Texan to come right this week.


Kevin Na
To Win (70/1), To Place (15/1)
Despite missing the cut in Arizona last week, Kevin Na is still one of the most consistently undervalued golfers in world golf. The man has won three times in the last 19 months, including a victory at the Shriners four tournaments ago. He finished 17th at the American Express recently, where he was 1st in shots gained approach. His laser-focused iron-play makes him an ideal option this week. e has history in this event, with finishes of 4th and 5th in the past. He also has finishes of 2nd and 4th at Riviera, which often correlates well with this event.


The Man to Beat


Brandt Snedeker
To Win (20/1), To Place (44/10)
Snedeker just leaps off the page as a value pick in the upper echelons of the betting. The 2013 and 2015 champion still holds the 72-hole scoring record here at 22 under par. He also has finishes of 4th and 8th here. The poa annua expert just loves the West Coast, as evidence by his previous two victories at Torrey Pines. He finished in a tie for 3rd at Torrey Pines a few weeks ago, meaning you can largely discount his missed cut last week. He has a poor record at TPC Scottsdale and last week’s performance wasn’t too far below par. Snedeker has been putting beautifully on poa annua greens this year and should be a force this week. 

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