The Starter: Rd. 1, AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
By PGATOUR.COM staff
The first group will soon tee off in today's first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. Here's how it sets up:
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EXPERT PREVIEW: PGA TOUR Network on-site correspondent Mark Carnevale previews Thursday's first round:
Living the Dream: Not only are there a new group of PGA TOUR rookies playing this week at Pebble Beach, but a group of celebrities from music, sports and the entertainment businesses are going to expose their golf games for all to see. I can tell you they are serious and want to perform well with the hope of making the cut.
Over the years, I had an opportunity to play with a number of high-profile celebrities and take it from me: they love the game of golf. One year, I played with Dr. J, Julius Erving. Now there was a man who could do anything with a basketball, but he struggled on the course with a golf club and a little ball.
I honestly believe some of these celebrities would give up all their platinum albums and Oscars if they could go out and play golf well. I had an opportunity to speak with ESPN's Chris Berman, and he basically "You know, it's been kind of cold up in Hartford, and I haven't played much golf, but who cares? I am at Pebble Beach playing golf and having fun. What I shoot really doesn't matter."
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To a person, their love of the tournament and the fun they have while they're here, certainly overshadows the whiffs, shanks and three-putts they will have throughout the next three to four days.
Singh hasn't missed a beat: On the recovery front, Vijay Singh will be making his first start since undergoing knee surgery after the Mercedes-Benz Championship. I watched him on the range on Wednesday and he looks as good as ever. He was hitting balls like he had never missed a beat. Keep an eye on Vijay, who lost in a playoff last year to Steve Lowery. If I know Vijay, he is still burning from that one.
Furyk set for '09 debut: Jim Furyk is making his first start of the season. This might be the longest non-injury layoff Jim has had. After a long rest, look out for Jim to have a good West Coast Swing and get back into the winner's circle after a year's absence.
Have fun: The key to good play this week is patience. Long rounds, soft fairways and inclement weather can wear on you as a player. Enjoy the moment, enjoy the beauty, create new friendships and rekindle old ones. You do this, and you might find yourself hoisting the trophy on Sunday.
On TV, these greens look like they have different color. These are mutations in the Poa annua grass that is basically a controlled weed. These greens are healthy and firm already this week, and you will see more missed six-footers here than almost anywhere else simply because of the surface.
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FEDEXCUP NOTES: ROUND 1
• There are five of the top 10 and 14 of the top 30 players in the FedExCup rankings teeing it up this week.
• All 14 players entering in the top 30 could move to the top of the FedExCup standings with a victory. The five players in the top 10 could move to the top with a second-place finish.
• Three players could move into the top 10 with a third-place finish. Kenny Perry could move into first place in the standings with a top-25 finish.
• After winning the first event of the season in 2008, Chopra was in the top five entering the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. This year, he ranks 107th entering the event.
• Chopra finished the 2008 season ranked first on the PGA TOUR in total putting, third in one-putt percentage and second in three-putt avoidance.
-- Mike Vitti, PGA TOUR Staff
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