Tournament information | |
---|---|
Location | Pebble Beach, California |
Established | 1937 |
Course(s) | Pebble Beach Golf Links Spyglass Hill Golf Course Monterey Peninsula Country Club |
Par | 72 (PB) 72 (SH) 71 (MP) |
Length | 6,816 yards (6,233 m) (PB) 7,035 yards (6,433 m) (SH) 6,958 yards (6,362 m) (MP) |
Organized by | Monterey Peninsula Foundation |
Tour(s) | PGA Tour |
Format | Stroke play |
Prize fund | US$9,000,000 |
Month played | February |
Tournament record score | |
Aggregate | 265 Brandt Snedeker (2015) |
To par | −22 as above |
Current champion | |
Justin Rose | |
Location Map | |
Pebble Beach Golf Links Location in the United States Pebble Beach Golf Links Location in California |
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, held annually at Pebble Beach, California, near Carmel. The tournament is usually held during the month of February on two different courses, currently Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and previously, Monterey Peninsula Country Club.
The event was originally known as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Amateur, or just the Crosby Clambake. After Crosby's death in 1977,[1] the tournament was hosted by his family for eight years.[2] The Crosby name was dropped after the 1985 event,[3][4] and AT&T Corporation became the title sponsor in 1986.[5] It is organized by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation.[6]
History
Founded in 1937, the first National Pro-Am Golf Championship was hosted by entertainer Bing Crosby and Larry Crosby in southern California at Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in San Diego County, the event's location prior to World War II.[4] Sam Snead won the first tournament, then just 18 holes, with a winner's share of $500.[7] A second round was added in 1938 and was played through 1942.[7][8][9]
After the war, it resumed in 1947 as a 54-hole event, up the coast on golf courses near Monterey,[10][11] where it has been played ever since. Beginning that year, it was played at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Cypress Point Club, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club through 1966. The tournament became a 72-hole event in 1958.[12][13]
In 1967,[14][15][16] the new Spyglass Hill replaced Monterey Peninsula CC as the third course (with the exception of 1977, when it returned to MPCC). After 1990, private Cypress Point was dropped by the PGA Tour because it would not admit an African-American member,[17] and was replaced by Poppy Hills in 1991,[18][19] which hosted through 2009. Poppy Hills was not well received by the players,[18][19] primarily due to poor drainage, and MPCC returned to the rotation in 2010.
Notable professionals in recent years have included Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Mark O'Meara, Davis Love III, Jordan Spieth, and Vijay Singh. Notable celebrities have included fan favorite Bill Murray, Glenn Frey, Kevin Costner, Steve Young, George Lopez, Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, Kenny G, Justin Timberlake, Ray Romano, Clay Walker, and Carson Daly. Past celebrities included many Hollywood legends, some of whom were accomplished amateur golfers. Jim Backus, best known as the voice of Mr. Magoo and as Thurston Howell III on Gilligan's Island, made the 36-hole pro-am cut in 1964.
Gene Littler holds a unique record in this event. When he won the 1975 event, it marked the only time that a player had won this particular event as a professional after having previously been the amateur on the winning pro-am team which Littler did as a 23-year-old amateur in 1954.[20]
Current playing format
The starting field consists of 80 professionals and 80 amateurs. Each professional is paired with an amateur partner. On the first two days, 80 two-person teams will play a Better ball format with one round on Pebble Beach and the other round at Spyglass Hill. The pros also play an individual stroke play format. On the last two days, only the pros will advance to the third and final rounds held at Pebble Beach.[21] In addition, there will be less celebrities in the pro-am field as well. [22]
Prior playing format
Previously, the starting field consisted of 156 professionals and 156 amateurs. Each professional is paired with an amateur player. On the first three days, 156 two-man teams will play a better ball format with one round on each of the three courses. The pros also play an individual stroke play format. On the final day, those professionals and pro-am teams making the 54-hole cut will play on the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
- Individual pro cut: At 54 holes, the low 60 scorers plus any ties. Players between 61st and 70th (and ties) will receive both official money and FedEx Cup points, as the cut for this tournament ensures the field is smaller than a standard tournament cut of 70 to accommodate the pro-am teams playing on the last day. They are indicated as MDF (made cut, did not finish); this designation is used in other PGA Tour events when more than 78 players make the cut and the field is reduced to 70 and ties after the third round.
- Pro-Am cut: At 54 holes, the low 25 teams, plus any ties.
Only professionals may compete in the individual competition part of the tournament. Amateurs are restricted to playing only in the pro-amateur team competition. The local Pebble Beach tournament officials organize the pairing of professionals with amateurs, while the PGA Tour manages the assignment of the pros' tee times.
Professional field
The professional field consists of 80 players selected using the standard eligibility rankings except that the following shall first be eligible:[23][24]
- AT&T Pebble Beach winners prior to 2000 and in the last five seasons
- The Players Championship and major championship winners prior to 2000 and in the last five years
There is no open qualifying for this tournament.
Format
Conducted as a planned 72-hole pro-am event, 1958–present. Exceptions are as follows:
- 18 holes: 1937
- 36 holes (planned): 1938 to 1942
- 36 holes, due to bad weather: 1952
- 54 holes (planned): 1947 to 1951, 1953 to 1957
- 54 holes, due to bad weather: 1974, 1981, 1986, 1998, 1999, and 2009
- In 1996, the first 36 holes were played as scheduled on Thursday and Friday. Rain on Saturday and Sunday prevented the completion of the tournament and it was canceled (54 holes required to be official due to three course setup).[25][26]
- In 1998, weather conditions prevented the tournament from being finished on schedule (9 holes were played Thursday, 9 on Friday, 18 on Saturday, rain Sunday and Monday). The third round was delayed until August to prevent cancellation similar to 1996. 43 of 168 players withdrew rather than return for the final round.
- No pro-am: 2021
- In 2021, the pro-am section of the tournament was canceled due to safety concerns in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic; as a result Monterey Peninsula was also removed from the course rotation.[27]
- In 2023, the pro-am competition was shortened to 54 holes due to high winds on Saturday, February 4; professionals only competed in the final round on Monday, February 5.
Criticism
Despite being one of the most iconic events on the PGA Tour, many top players tend to skip the event, citing long rounds, celebrity distractions, sketchy weather and the bumpy poa annua greens. In addition, the schedule has also made it difficult for players to compete in Pebble as it faced competition from the Saudi International which also featured a world-class field. The few top players who did compete regularly at Pebble Beach such as Jordan Spieth, are contractually scheduled to compete there due to sponsorship reasons.[28]
Tournament hosts
Venue | Years | Times |
---|---|---|
Pebble Beach Golf Links | 1947–present | 73 |
Spyglass Hill Golf Course | 1967–1976, 1978–present | 52 |
Monterey Peninsula CC, Shore Course | 1965, 1966, 1977, 2010–2020, 2022–2023 | 13 |
Poppy Hills Golf Course | 1991–2009 | 19 |
Cypress Point Club | 1947–1990 | 44 |
Monterey Peninsula CC, Dunes Course | 1947–1964 | 18 |
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | 1937–1942 | 6 |
Winners
Source:[82]
Multiple winners
Thirteen players have won this tournament more than once through 2022.
- 5 wins
- Mark O'Meara: 1985, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1997
- Phil Mickelson: 1998, 2005, 2007, 2012, 2019
- 4 wins
- Sam Snead: 1937, 1938, 1941, 1950 (tie)
- 3 wins
- Jack Nicklaus: 1967, 1972, 1973
- Johnny Miller: 1974, 1987, 1994
- 2 wins
- Lloyd Mangrum: 1948, 1953
- Dutch Harrison: 1939, 1954
- Cary Middlecoff: 1955, 1956
- Billy Casper: 1958, 1963
- Tom Watson: 1977, 1978
- Davis Love III: 2001, 2003
- Dustin Johnson: 2009, 2010
- Brandt Snedeker: 2013, 2015
In addition, Nicklaus won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 1972, Watson in 1982.
Two others have won an AT&T and a U.S. Open at Pebble Beach; Tom Kite (1983 & 1992), and Tiger Woods (2000 & 2000).
Notes
References
- ↑ "Bing leaves 'clambake' to sports world". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. 15 October 1977. p. 2D.
- ↑ "Crosby tourney will continue". Gettysburg Times. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. 17 October 1977. p. 12.
- ↑ "Crosby family ends ties to familiar golf tourney". Lawrence Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. 23 April 1985. p. 11.
- 1 2 "Exploitation blamed for Crosby cancellation". Times Daily. (Florence, Alabama). Associated Press. 24 April 1985. p. 6D.
- ↑ "Pebble Beach key: weather, draw". Ocala Star-Banner. (Florida). Associated Press. 30 January 1986. p. 4B.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am - Charities
- 1 2 "Golfers ready for opening of Crosby's meet". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. (Florida). Associated Press. 24 January 1941. p. 9.
- ↑ "Sam Snead repeats to win Crosby tournament". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. 17 January 1938. p. 8.
- ↑ "To Crosby fiesta". Lawrence Daily Journal-World. (Kansas). Associated Press. 29 January 1942. p. 8.
- ↑ "Fazio protects 'Bing' golf lead". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. 13 January 1947. p. 7.
- ↑ "Fazio and Furgol split top Crosby golf prize". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. 13 January 1947. p. 5, part 2.
- ↑ "Toughest golf hole stymies great in Crosby's Open play". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. 10 January 1958. p. 12.
- ↑ "Casper is winner of Crosby event". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. 13 January 1958. p. 18.
- ↑ "Pebble Beach: new course". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). AP, UPI reports. 23 June 1966. p. 1D.
- ↑ "Jack breaks Spyglass par". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. 19 January 1967. p. 2D.
- ↑ Stevenson, Jack (20 January 1967). "Pros humble Spyglass links". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. p. 2B.
- ↑ Diaz, Jamie (18 September 1990). "Cypress Point Drops PGA Tour Event Instead of Changing Its Rules". The News York Times.
- 1 2 "Poppy Hills perplexes pros". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. 1 February 1991. p. 2B.
- 1 2 Garrity, John (11 February 1991). "The winner was a Zinger". Sports Illustrated. p. 50.
- ↑ Shain, Jeff (1 February 2013). "AT&T Pebble Beach – First Look". PGA Tour. Retrieved 2 February 2013.
- ↑ https://acesgolf.com/big-changes-for-att-pro-am-in-2024/
- ↑ https://www.montereyherald.com/2023/12/27/the-att-pebble-beach-pro-am-gets-serious-no-hollywood-celebrities-or-exhibition-events/
- ↑ "2015-2016 PGA Tour Eligibility Ranking". Retrieved 2 April 2016.
- ↑ "2015–16 PGA Tour Player Handbook & Tournament Regulations" (PDF). 5 October 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 April 2016.
- 1 2 "Pebble Beach a washout". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. 5 February 1996. p. D6.
- 1 2 "Wet rounds force the cancellation of Pebble Beach tournament". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Associated Press. 5 February 1996. p. 10C.
- ↑ Beall, Joel (14 January 2021). "AT&T Pebble Beach cancels traditional pro-am format due to COVID-19". Golf Digest. Retrieved 14 January 2021.
- ↑ https://www.golfdigest.com/story/pebble-beach-pro-am-2023-field-spieth
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1996
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1969
- ↑ "Archer Wins Bing Crosby Golf Tourney". Gettysburg Times. Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. 25 January 1969. p. 9. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1968
- ↑ "Johnny Pott Wins Crosby Golf Title In Sudden-Death Playoff". The Modesto Bee. Modesto, California. Associated Press. 12 January 1968. p. A-11. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1967
- ↑ "Casper Takes Crosby Tourney Lead". Spartanburg Herald. Spartanburg, South Carolina. Associated Press. 23 January 1967. p. 9. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1966
- ↑ "Massengale Nips Palmer For Crosby Golf Title". The Gazette. Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Associated Press. 24 January 1966. p. 36. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1965
- ↑ "Crampton Captures Crosby Golf Title". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. 25 January 1965. p. 22. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1964
- ↑ "Lema Nabs Crosby Golf Title". The Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. United Press International. 20 January 1964. p. 4B. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1963
- ↑ "Casper Captures Crosby Golf Tournament". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. 21 January 1963. p. 20. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1962
- ↑ "Bing Crosby Golf Tourney Opens With 324 Hopefuls". Ocala Star-Banner. Ocala, Florida. Associated Press. 28 January 1962. p. 13. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1961
- ↑ "Crosby Golf Show Opens; Demaret Aces". Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. Associated Press. 18 January 1961. p. 3D. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1960
- ↑ "Fading Venturi Wins Top Money In Crosby Golf". Spartanburg Herald. Spartanburg, South Carolina. Associated Press. 25 January 1960. p. 7. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1959
- ↑ "Art Wall In Crosby Golf Lead". Schenectady Gazette. Schenectady, New York. Associated Press. 17 January 1959. p. 21. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1958
- ↑ "Bill Casper Is Crosby Golf Victor". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press. 13 January 1958. p. 1-C. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1957
- ↑ "Bill Maxwell Holds Two-Stroke Margin". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. 12 January 1957. p. 15. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1956
- ↑ "Cary Middlecoff Shatters Bing Crosby Golfing Mark". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Associated Press. 16 January 1956. p. 12. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1955
- ↑ "Barber, Leonard Share Golf Lead". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. 15 January 1955. p. 11. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1954
- ↑ "Veteran Pro Captures Bing Crosby Event By One Stroke". Lodi News-Sentinel. Lodi, California. United Press. 18 January 1954. p. 10. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1953
- ↑ "Crosby Lead To Mangrum". The Milwaukee Sentinel. Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Associated Press. 11 January 1953. p. B1. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1952
- ↑ "Demaret Wins Crosby Golf". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. 14 January 1952. p. 12. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1951
- ↑ "Nelson Bags One of Most Satisfying Wins of Career". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. 15 January 1951. p. 14. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1950
- ↑ "Snead and Three Tie To Win Crosby Tourney". The Palm Beach Post. West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press. 16 January 1950. p. 7. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1949
- ↑ "Hogan Wins Crosby Tourney With Total Of 208". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Daytona Beach, Florida. Associated Press. 17 January 1949. p. 5. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1948
- ↑ "Mangrum Wins Crosby GolfWith 10-Under-Pr 205". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. 12 January 1948. p. 8. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am History - 1947
- ↑ "John Dawson. amateur, wins Crosby golf". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. 2 February 1942. p. 14.
- ↑ Wagoner, Ronald (2 February 1942). "Dawson's Record 133 Wins Crosby Golf, But No Cash!". Pittsburgh Press. United Press. p. 20.
- ↑ "Snead Wins Crosby Open Golf Event". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, Florida. Associated Press. 27 January 1941. p. 11. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ "Oliver Sets Record For Crosby Golf". Reading Eagle. Reading, Pennsylvania. Associated Press. 29 January 1940. p. 14. Retrieved 11 February 2010.
- ↑ "Crosby Tourney Winner to Feed Hogs With Prize". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida. Associated Press. 30 January 1939. p. 6. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ↑ "Sam Snead Wins His Second Bing Crosby Tourney". The Modesto Bee. Modesto, California. United Press. 17 January 1938. p. 8.
- ↑ "Parks Sixth In Tourney". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 8 February 1937. p. 27. Retrieved 10 February 2010.
- ↑ AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am - Winners Archived 2009-02-16 at the Wayback Machine - at golfobserver.com (since 1970)