AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Preview and Picks

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🏆 A Star-Studded Field at Pebble Beach

The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is always a must-watch event, and this year’s field is no exception. A staggering 74 of the top 100 players in the Official World Golf Ranking are teeing it up, including 45 of the top 50. While the field is stacked, a few notable names are missing: World No. 2 Xander Schauffele is out due to injury, while Tyrrell Hatton (#8), Bryson DeChambeau (#13), Jon Rahm (#37), and Thriston Lawrence (#50) are also skipping the event.

Compared to last year, when 41 top-50 players competed, this year’s field is even stronger, promising an exciting battle on the legendary coastal course.

Five past winners are back to chase another title at Pebble Beach. Defending champion Wyndham Clark headlines the list, joined by Justin Rose (2023), Tom Hoge (2022), Nick Taylor (2020), and Jordan Spieth (2017). Each of these players has proven they can handle the unique challenges of Pebble Beach, and they’ll be looking to add another trophy to their collection.

📊 Data-Driven Insights for Fantasy & Betting

If you’re serious about making the best picks this week, our GolfStats tools have you covered.

• Our Performance Chart ranks players by their average finish of all players at Pebble Beach, helping you identify those who consistently contend.

• Our GolfStats Custom Formula highlights the best performers at this event over the last five years, factoring in course history and key stats.

• Our Sortable 8-Year Glance lets you track trends, breakout performances, and potential sleepers at Pebble Beach.

These tools are invaluable whether you’re betting, setting a DFS lineup, or simply looking for an edge in your fantasy league. Check out the full blog post for DK fantasy advice.

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🏌️‍♂️ A Reimagined AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

This year, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has undergone a major transformation. The heart and soul of the event—the celebrity players—are no longer part of the equation. Gone are the days of Bill Murray, Kevin Costner, and Andy Garcia entertaining the crowds. While a few football and baseball players remain in the amateur field, the shift is clear: the event now caters more to CEOs and business professionals.

On the plus side, the old celebrity portion had become outdated and cumbersome. The three-course rotation often kept top-tier professionals away, and the competitive stakes weren’t as high. That’s all changed now. The PGA Tour has designated this a signature event, ensuring a stronger field and a bigger prize pool. The 80-player field will compete across two courses, with no cut and a $3.6 million first-place prize. The first two days will see players rotate between Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill before the final two rounds are played exclusively at Pebble Beach. While it may lack the Hollywood factor, this event is now a must-watch, with the best players in the world battling on one of golf’s most iconic courses.

🏆️ Surprising Winners So Far in 2025

The first four tournaments of the year have delivered unexpected champions.

• Hideki Matsuyama kicked things off with a historic performance in Maui, setting a new PGA Tour record with a 35-under-par total.

• Nick Taylor followed with a thrilling playoff victory, securing his fifth PGA Tour win and rebounding from a tough 2024 season.

• Sepp Straka stunned the field at the American Express, winning despite an inconsistent 2024 campaign.

• Harris English defied the odds at the Farmers, overcoming past injuries to secure his fifth career victory.

Heading into Pebble Beach, the big question remains: can any of these recent winners continue their momentum? While Matsuyama’s putting struggles may hold him back, and Straka and English lack strong track records here, Nick Taylor stands out. As a former champion (2020) with strong recent form, he could be a legitimate contender this week.

🩺 Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler Return From Injury

Two major names returning from injury this week are Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler, both of whom bring intrigue and uncertainty to Pebble Beach. Spieth, recovering from wrist surgery last year, has used the downtime to overhaul his game, addressing swing issues developed during years of playing through pain. While he might not be a top pick just yet, expect Spieth to gradually regain form and become a serious contender as the season progresses—especially with the Masters on the horizon.

Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler’s recent hand surgery has left questions about his readiness. Though early practice reports suggest he’s swinging freely without any visible restrictions, it’s wise to exercise caution with Scheffler this week. Historically, the "injured golfer" phenomenon has produced surprises, but Scheffler’s full return to form may take another start or two. Both players are worth watching closely as they navigate their way back to peak performance.

🌊 The Courses: Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill

Pebble Beach Golf Links Pebble Beach, Calif.

• Yardage: 6,972 yards, Par 72

• Rating/Slope: 74.4/142

Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the most breathtaking courses in the world. Located on the Monterey Peninsula, about 120 miles south of San Francisco, Pebble Beach offers dramatic views and a layout that skirts the rugged coastline of Carmel Bay. While its name suggests a traditional links course, the layout is set on craggy cliffs and features eight holes that run along the Pacific Ocean. Notably, recent changes include significant updates to the 13th, 14th, and 17th greens, enhancing pin placement options and strategic challenges.

Spyglass Hill Golf Course Pebble Beach, Calif.

• Yardage: 7,041 yards, Par 72

• Rating/Slope: 75.3/148

Spyglass Hill offers a contrasting experience, with a mix of coastal and forested holes. The first five holes run through dunes and offer stunning ocean views, while the rest of the course winds through Monterey pines. Designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1966, Spyglass is known for its challenging layout, with large undulating greens and protection from wind on its inland holes. In 2023, Spyglass played as one of the toughest courses on Tour, but last year’s smaller field resulted in easier scoring conditions. Its design, inspired by "Treasure Island," ensures a memorable test for the players.

📊 Key Stats for Success at Pebble Beach

Let’s take a look at key stats that are important for those playing at Pebble Beach:

Pebble Beach is widely regarded as one of the most iconic golf courses in the world. Nine of its holes hug the rocky shores of Carmel Bay, including the legendary 18th, which many consider the greatest finishing hole in golf. The course’s greens are the smallest on the PGA Tour, averaging just 3,580 square feet, demanding precision and creativity from players. Pebble Beach also features 92 bunkers and water hazards that come into play on nine holes along the Pacific Ocean.

To succeed at Pebble Beach, players need to excel in several key areas:

• Strokes Gained Off-the-Tee: While driving distance is useful, accuracy is critical at Pebble Beach. Players must navigate tight fairways and aim for strategic positioning. Last year, Wyndham Clark ranked 17th in Strokes Gained Off-the-Tee while hitting 27 of 28 fairways at Pebble.

• Strokes Gained Approach-the-Green: With Pebble’s tiny greens, accurate approach shots are essential. Last year, 72.22% of greens were hit in regulation at Pebble, ranking it 37th in difficulty. Clark ranked 20th in Strokes Gained Approach-the-Green en route to his victory.

• Strokes Gained Around-the-Green: Small greens mean players will inevitably miss their targets, making scrambling crucial. Last year, 64.13% of missed greens were successfully scrambled. Clark ranked 14th in Strokes Gained Around-the-Green.

• Strokes Gained Putting: With Pebble’s greens being both small and undulating, putting becomes a decisive factor. Clark was first in Strokes Gained Putting during his win, excelling in both one-putt percentage and avoiding three-putts.

Players who combine smart strategy, accuracy off the tee, precise approach shots, and sharp short game skills are the most likely to succeed at Pebble Beach. Keep these stats in mind when making your picks this week.

Seven players are participating in their first event in 2025, so for Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, Min Woo Lee, Jordan Spieth, and Justin Rose, we are using their ranks for stats from 2024. Those players with 2024 stats are in bold.

Who to watch for at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

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