The PGA Tour makes its annual stop at one of the most famous courses in the world, Pebble Beach. Pebble Beach is host to the always fun Pro-Am tournament, as well as periodically hosting the U.S. Open. Due to COVID-19 protocols, the 2021 Pebble Beach Pro-Am will be held without spectators or amateurs, so the field will consist of 156 tour professionals only.
Players to Watch
After Dustin Johnson won in Saudi Arabia last week, he proved once again that he is the best player in the world. Johnson returned to the United States, but decided to withdraw from competition this week to rest. He was the favorite until this announcement. Without Dustin Johnson, here are my top three players to watch this week. Odds are courtesy of Fanduel Sportsbook, as of 2/10/2021.
Will Zalatoris (+1700)
After turning pro in 2018, Zalatoris struggled to find success on the PGA Tour. Due to his struggles, he did not have a start in the 2018-19 or 2019-20 seasons, but has started the 2020-21 season with strong play. In his eight starts on tour, Zalatoris has four top 10 finishes and six top 25 finishes, including last week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. If taking him to win tournament seems daunting, you can take him to finish in the top 10 at +190 or the top 20 at -115.
Jordan Spieth (+2300)
Is Spieth being on this list a little bit of recency bias? I’d say it’s more than a little. I’m falling into the trap of thinking he is back after one good week. I mean, look at his finishes in the 2020-21 season thus far.
Though, he won at this event in 2017, the last year he had a win on the PGA Tour. So, if he plays like he did last week, it isn’t impossible to imagine him in the winner’s circle.
Phil Mickelson (+4400)
Phil Mickelson hasn’t had the best start to his 2020-21 season with three missed cuts in seven starts. This week, though, he’s playing at home in San Diego, with Pebble Beach Resort being about 40 minutes away. While Mickelson may be able to find more success on the PGA Champions Tour, his last win on the PGA Tour was at this event in 2019. It was his fifth win at this event. Don’t be surprised if Phil finds his youth at this course once again.
Coverage of the 2021 Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Round One
NBC Sports Gold Featured Groups: 11:30 AM-6:00 PM EST.
Golf Channel: 3:00 PM-6:00 PM EST.
Round Two
NBC Sports Gold Featured Groups: 11:30 AM-6:00 PM EST.
Golf Channel: 3:00 PM-6:00 PM EST.
Round Tree
Golf Channel: 1:00 PM-3:00 PM EST.
CBS: 3:00 PM-6:00 PM EST.
Round Four
Golf Channel: 1:00 PM-3:00 PM EST.
CBS: 3:00 PM-6:00 PM EST.
The Course(s)
Rather than using the standard three courses for this tournament, this year’s edition will consist of two courses. Those courses are the Spyglass Hill Golf Course and the Pebble Beach Golf Links. The latter is the famous course that will be used on the weekend and finishes along the Pacific Ocean.
Included on the Pebble Beach Links course is a 106-yard par-three. With that length, it’s understandable to assume it would be easy. Though, with strong and swirling winds, the strokes can add up quickly. Missing the green right, left, or long can lead to trouble.
The closing hole at the course is a 543-yard par-five that is reachable for players that find the fairway. Especially if you’re this guy.
At the same time, missing the fairway left can give you the option to explore the resort.
A birdie on Pebble Beach for @BrandtSnedeker.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 9, 2021
Literally. ?#TOURVault pic.twitter.com/hayV03G0md
Picks of the Week
Winner: Daniel Berger (+1400)
Despite a missed cut by one stroke at the Waste Management Phoenix Open last week, Berger finished in the top 10 in both Hawaii events at the beginning of 2021. With three wins on tour, including a win at the 2020 Charles Schwab Challenge, Berger looks to add this event to his collection. He finished tied for fifth place at the 2020 edition of this event.
Bet of the Week: Si Woo Kim to Finish in the Top 20 (+145)
With a win on tour in 2021 at the American Express, I expect Si Woo Kim to contend this week. Although he may not win this week, I find +145 to be good value for him to finish in the top 20. Perhaps the value is there because he missed the cut and finished tied for 50th place in his last two starts. Though, he’s young and can turn it on anytime.
