Feb. 8, 2011
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM Fantasy Columnist
For what the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am provides in beauty, it matches in exceptions and quirks. For example, with the par-70 Shore Course at Monterey Peninsula Country Club in play (for second straight year), the 72-hole par for the tournament is 286. Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill -- both par 72s -- round out the rotation, but all three tracks measure less than 7,000 yards. A traditional playing cut of top 60 and ties will be made after 54 holes, but the top 70 and ties earn official money and FedExCup points.
MPCC's Shore Course ranked as the fourth-easiest (of 14) par 70s in 2010, coming in at -1.052 strokes to par. Its greens, which average 7,000 square feet, are the largest of the three courses utilized for the field of 156. Pebble Beach's famously tiny surfaces average half that, while the greens at Spyglass are approximately 5,000 square feet.
While experience and an acquired taste for Poa annua is always beneficial here, hitting those greens in regulation is imperative as it will take double digits under par to win. Equally as premium on paper is scoring on the par 5s, which are eminently reachable.
Seasonal weather conditions are forecast, as high temperatures are expected in the 60s through Saturday before taking a dip as a threat of rain approaches for the final round. Nothing but sunshine and light winds until then.
Look for course splits in Tuesday's "Fantasy Insider."
MORE: Rookies | Medical | Reshuffle | Major qualifiers
| Power Rankings: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am |
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Nick WATNEY |
Chased his closing 63 at Torrey Pines (and a T6 payday at the Farmers) with a share of fifth place in Scottsdale. Has just one top 10 in seven starts here, but ranked 10th on TOUR in birdies or better on par 5s last season. |
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Dustin JOHNSON |
Really no reason he doesn't deserve the top spot in this feature except for the fact that there has never been a three-peat in the history of the event (circa 1937). Played the par 5s here last year in 11-under (with three eagles). |
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J.B. HOLMES |
Polished off a T5 at the WMPO with a bogey-free 67 and led the field in birdies. Shared runner-up honors here last year, and has cashed in all four appearances at the event. Ranked fifth on TOUR in birdies or better on par 5s in 2010. |
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Geoff OGILVY |
First start since his rookie year in 2001. Returned to competition in Scottsdale following an injured finger, and posted a T13, ranking third in birdies. Most of all, he said that he feels similarly (i.e. sharp) to when he concluded his 2010 in Australia. |
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Tim CLARK |
Despite damage the longest hitters can impart, Punch-and-Judy specialists can thrive, too. Clark has five top 25s in seven showings, including a T10 last year. It's his first start since a tie for second at the Sony Open due to a blister on his left foot. |
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Vijay SINGH |
His tie for third at TPC Scottsdale was his first top-three finish on the PGA TOUR since he won the 2008 Deutsche Bank (29 months ago). He also ranked second in birdies. The 2004 champ here sits second in all-time earnings at this event. |
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Brandt SNEDEKER |
He hasn't posted a top-20 finish in four appearances here, but he's still rising in his career learning curve. Coming off consecutive top 10s and has been at least 2-under par in all of his 12 rounds this season. |
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Mark WILSON |
Coming off his second victory of the year. Led the field in Scottsdale in greens in regulation, ranked 11th in putting, T4 in birdies and suffered just four bogeys all week. Unspectacular record at Pebble Beach, but he's playing the best golf of his life. |
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Bo VAN PELT |
Snapped out of his early-season funk with a T18 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Four top 25s in nine starts at the AT&T, but not since 2008. Ranked 19th on the PGA TOUR in birdies or better on par 5s last year. |
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Tom GILLIS |
Faded to finish T68 in Scottsdale after opening with a bogey-free 65. Last year's leader on TOUR in birdie average was also 11th in birdies or better on par 5s. Needs to get his putter rolling now, but ranked fourth in putting en route to a T8 here last year. |
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