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Power Rankings: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
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February 08, 2016
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM
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Jordan Spieth has finished T7 and T4 respectively in his last two starts at Pebble Beach Golf Links. (Suhaimi Abdullah/Getty Images)
It really was a felicitous meeting last year. Oh, as Robert Louis Stevenson is credited for describing, it always is on the Monterey Peninsula, but at the 2015 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, the sublime blend wasn’t merely of land and sea, it was of weather and talent.
To define the setting of last year’s annual stop as glorious would be an insult. Nothing but sun, a light breeze and high temperatures in the mid-70s covered the trio of host courses throughout the tournament. And with all three comfortably shorter than 7,000 yards, it was no surprise that Brandt Snedeker established a tournament record. His 22-under 265 was two strokes fewer than the previous, also Snedeker’s. That occurred in 2013 when he came to rest at 19-under 267. (Monterey Peninsula Country Club’s Shore Course played as a par 70 from 2010-2013; its par since is 71.)
Again, thanks to perfect scoring conditions, each of the tri-hosts surrendered tournament lows. Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill, both par 72s, averaged 70.241 and 71.199, respectively, thus playing their easiest since scoring data was first maintained in earnest in 1983. MPCC checked up at 68.936, also its low in just six years in the rotation.
Both of the par 72s are standard routes with four par 3s and four par 5s. MPCC features five par threes, including three on a front-nine par 34. Three of its four par 5s are on its inward-side par 37.
En route to last year’s title, Snedeker ranked T3 in greens in regulation. That achievement included 27 in a row, including all 18 at Spyglass Hill in the second round. On top of that precision, he led the field in scrambling, suffering only one bogey all week (at the par-4 third hole at Pebble Beach in the third round). Felicitous, indeed.
This week’s format is unique to the tournament. The scheduled, 54-hole cut is low 60 and ties. Those finishing 61st-70th (plus ties) will also earn FedExCup points and official earnings, but will not play in the final round, held only at Pebble Beach. However, all golfers included in the low 25 pro-am teams will peg it in the finale to determine the champion of that competition, even if the pro missed the cut in the tournament proper.
Mother Nature will cooperate once again this year, but daytime highs will climb only into the low to mid-60s. However, television viewers will see only sunshine enhancing the dimension of the magnificent landscape.
NOTE: Tuesday’s Fantasy Insider will include details on how each of the three courses have scored in recent years.
POWER RANKINGS: AT&T PEBBLE BEACH PRO-AM
RANK PLAYER COMMENT 1 
Jordan Spieth Doing a phenomenal job in defending the world’s top ranking. No worse than T7 in last seven contributing starts with two wins. T4-T7 here since 2014.
2 
Brandt Snedeker Defending for the second time in three years. Dialed in again. Won Farmers two weeks ago. That chased a T3 and solo second in Hawaii, respectively.
Defending for the second time in three years. Dialed in again. Won Farmers two weeks ago. That chased a T3 and solo second in Hawaii, respectively.
3 
Jason Day Among the bevy of notables snipped at Torrey Pines. Had no worse than two T12s since June! He’s 6-for-6 at Pebble Beach with personal-best T4 last year.
Among the bevy of notables snipped at Torrey Pines. Had no worse than two T12s since June! He’s 6-for-6 at Pebble Beach with personal-best T4 last year.
4 
Jimmy Walker Won here in 2014 and has four top 10s overall, but most importantly, he’s regained traction in three starts this year, opening 2016 with T10-T13-T4.
Won here in 2014 and has four top 10s overall, but most importantly, he’s regained traction in three starts this year, opening 2016 with T10-T13-T4.
5 
Dustin Johnson Rain or shine, he’s delivered on two wins (2009, 2010) and another four top 10s in this event, including last two editions. T10-T18 to open 2016.
Rain or shine, he’s delivered on two wins (2009, 2010) and another four top 10s in this event, including last two editions. T10-T18 to open 2016.
6 
Phil Mickelson Four-time winner and all-time money leader here is feeling good. Game feels “easy” again. T11 at WMPO included bogey-free 65 in third round.
Four-time winner and all-time money leader here is feeling good. Game feels “easy” again. T11 at WMPO included bogey-free 65 in third round.
7 
J.B. Holmes Finally ended his schneid at TPC Scottsdale with a T6 despite an opening 73. Booked same result at Torrey Pines. T10 at Pebble Beach last year.
Finally ended his schneid at TPC Scottsdale with a T6 despite an opening 73. Booked same result at Torrey Pines. T10 at Pebble Beach last year.
8 
Patrick Reed Back from injured right foot. Pebble Beach is a soft landing as he’s perfect in three tries with a pair of top 15s. Opened 2016 with runner-up at Kapalua.
Back from injured right foot. Pebble Beach is a soft landing as he’s perfect in three tries with a pair of top 15s. Opened 2016 with runner-up at Kapalua.
9 
Kevin Na Top fives here in 2012 and 2014. A Sunday 72 at TPC Scottsdale ended streak of final-round red numbers at six. Four top threes this season.
Top fives here in 2012 and 2014. A Sunday 72 at TPC Scottsdale ended streak of final-round red numbers at six. Four top threes this season.
10 
Shane Lowry Beaming off enjoyable T6 at the WMPO where he co-led after an opening 65. Also led field in par breakers and putts per GIR. T21 in AT&T debut in 2015.
Beaming off enjoyable T6 at the WMPO where he co-led after an opening 65. Also led field in par breakers and putts per GIR. T21 in AT&T debut in 2015.
11 
Bubba Watson Hasn’t appeared since 2007. Figures to eat up the par 5s. No worse than T15 in any of last five starts worldwide, including win at unofficial Hero.
Hasn’t appeared since 2007. Figures to eat up the par 5s. No worse than T15 in any of last five starts worldwide, including win at unofficial Hero.
12 
Ryan Moore First appearance since 2012 (T20), but gets some benefit of the doubt on Poa annua. Ended three-month break with predictable top 15 at TPC Scottsdale.
First appearance since 2012 (T20), but gets some benefit of the doubt on Poa annua. Ended three-month break with predictable top 15 at TPC Scottsdale.
13 
Freddie Jacobson Separated from a T4 at windy Torrey Pines with a ski trip to Canada. Three top 20s since returning to TOUR in the fall. T7 at Pebble Beach in 2013.
Separated from a T4 at windy Torrey Pines with a ski trip to Canada. Three top 20s since returning to TOUR in the fall. T7 at Pebble Beach in 2013.
14 
James Hahn The Cal product tied for third in his debut here in 2013. Loves this event and putting on Poa annua. Led WMPO at the midpoint before fading to T17.
The Cal product tied for third in his debut here in 2013. Loves this event and putting on Poa annua. Led WMPO at the midpoint before fading to T17.
15 
Bryce Molder Converging trends with a T6 in Scottsdale and four top-12 finishes in his last six visits to the Monterey Peninsula where he’s not overwhelmed off the tee.
Converging trends with a T6 in Scottsdale and four top-12 finishes in his last six visits to the Monterey Peninsula where he’s not overwhelmed off the tee.
ROB BOLTON'S WRITING SCHEDULE
PGATOUR.COM's Fantasy Columnist Rob Bolton will be filing his usual staples leading up to this week's event. Look for the following features later this week:
MONDAY: Power Rankings
TUESDAY: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider
WEDNESDAY: One-and-Done, Comfort Zone
THURSDAY: Most-picked players -
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Doing a phenomenal job in defending the world’s top ranking. No worse than T7 in last seven contributing starts with two wins. T4-T7 here since 2014.