Pebble Beach Pro-Am Preview

Phil Mickelson has a chance to defend another title this week but must fight off many top player and rising rookies to do so.

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmIt’s time again for the stars to shine this week at the 2006 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in beautiful Monterrey, California. The event dates back to 1937 with Bing Crosby hosting the “Crosby Clambake” and brings top pros from the PGA Tour and A-list celebrities together. Over the years the tournament has become wildly popular with fans as the tournament is a much of a show as it is a tournament with stars like George Lopez, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Romano, Bill Murray and even The Donald. The tournament also allows the long ball hitters to shine and history tells us so since six of the last eight winners have been big hitters. After J.B. Holmes earned his first win at the FBR Open last week, fellow big hitters Bubba Watson and Camilo Villegas are chomping at this bit for their big break.

Players missing this week include Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, leaving Vijah Singh and Phil Mickelson the only players in the top five to attend. Other players in the top-ten looking to contend are Sergio Garcia, Jim Furyk, Chris DiMarco, David Toms but the PGA Tour rookies seem to be taking a lot of the spot light lately.

Slugger Bubba Watson will be in attendance this week and people will be lining up to see the man launch Titleists into orbit. The big man has shown us that he not only has the talent to drive the ball but also has great hands and touch when it comes to the wedges and putts. Bubba has Jason Gore to thank for making it on the PGA Tour this year, with Jason’s win at the 84 Lumber the list of Nationwide graduates was extended to include the 21st ranked player. But Bubba is looking to earn his stay and I have no doubt that he will do it soon, it would just be great though to see him vault his start power at an event known for it’s stars.

Arjun Atwal finished 21st and 16th, respectively in his only two starts at the AT&T and narrowly missed getting into the playoff at the Buick Invitational by missing his only putt inside of eight feet that week. He ranks high in GIR’s and is fairly long hitter, which will help at this event, however despite being a good putter needs to improve his birdie conversion to get into and stay in contention.

Vijay Singh is becoming quite the world traveler these days and you have to wonder if it’s affecting him already. His season started with three top-tens but has placed 24th and 20th respectively in his last two starts. Singh has done well here in the past few years, finishing second in 2000 and 2001 plus winning in 2004. So after missing the cut at last years AT&T, look for the ball-banging perfectionist to have better results this year.

Phil Mickelson: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AMFinally, two-time winner and defending champion, Phil Mickelson was hot last year on the West Coast Swing, after shooting a second round 60 and winning the FBR Open he came to the AT&T riding that wave and became the first wire-to-wire winner in the tournament’s 68-year history. His 19-under 269 was one shot shy of five time winner Mark O’Meara’s 72 hole record. This year lefty isn’t off to as great a start but never one to be counted out for tournaments in the Southwest especially with three top ten finishes in three starts this year.

The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AM is the sixth of nine events in the 2006 West Coast Swing presented by Allianz. Chad Campbell still holds the lead after his win at the Bob Hope and T-2 finish at the Sony Open. Stuart Appleby has been able to stay in second but the big news is with the rookies. Nathan Green staying in the top three with his consistent play and J.B. Holmes has shot up to fifth with his win at last weeks FBR Open.

This year’s purse is $5.4 million with $900,000 going to the winner. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AM will be held in Monterrey, California on the following courses; Pebble Beach Golf Links, Poppy Hills Golf Course and Spyglass Hill Golf Course. From February 6-12, 2006 it can be seen on USA and CBS and heard on XM Radio at the following times:

Thu,  2/9  3-6pm ET     USA
Fri, 2/10  3-6pm ET     USA
Sat, 2/11  3-6pm ET     CBS
Sun, 2/12  3-6:30pm ET  CBS
Thu,  2/9  12-6pm ET    XM 146 
Fri, 2/10  12-6pm ET    XM 146
Sat, 2/11  12-6pm ET    XM 146
Sun, 2/12   1-7pm ET    XM 146

Photo Credit: © Lance Iversen.

2 thoughts on “Pebble Beach Pro-Am Preview”

  1. I am going to watch some of this as it is a very enjoyable tournament. I also want to see if J.B. Holmes is real. With his play last week, I do not think any distractions will bother his game. Can he really play like I though he played last week? It was just too much to for me to believe.

  2. This is a great time for Pebble Beach as everyone gets exited about golfing. We at Black Forest Espresso will be keeping close track of the event on big screen tv. While your waiting for the event or just need a place to get out of the weather with a free internet connection, be sure to stop in at the Black Forest Espresso located near the Country Club Gate interance. 😆 We look forward to seeing everyone again this year 😮

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