Power Rankings: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

A pro-am is unique to the sport of golf. It’s often unserious time spent that takes itself quite seriously. They are part of the fabric and lifeblood of the PGA TOUR, so much so that failure to appear when expected in a Wednesday edition, for example, can lead to a disqualification in the tournament proper. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is at another level, if not at the top of its class. It’s an official TOUR stop hosted by three courses (more on each beneath the ranking), one of which is its eponymous eye candy. Both of those components draw A-list celebrities to take part in an official pro-am competition. Some who play golf for a living can thrive in this arena. Two of the most recent examples are Hudson Swafford, who prevailed at the CareerBuilder Challenge three weeks ago for his breakthrough title, and Adam Hadwin, who spun a 59 at La Quinta Country Club in the third round. Indeed, comfort in the format is all but required given a rotation of courses and potentially long hours trying to score well on each at the same time allowing amateurs the space to check off an item on the bucket list. Alternating starts with weeks off in the bygone shadow of a sore back. Solo second at Waialae and T4 at Torrey Pines foster hope as he piggybacks a T6 in AT&T debut last year. All-or-almost nothing record here is highlighted by two wins and another four top 10s in nine appearances (not including T8 in 2010 U.S. Open). Rested since Farmers’ MC. The 54-hole co-leader at Farmers settled for a T9, but it extended brilliant form since October. Two-time winner here owns the tournament record (22-under 265, 2015). No worse than T9 (WMPO) in last four official starts. Also 4-for-4 here with a pair of top 10s. Leads the PGA TOUR in numerous categories, including greens in regulation. The four-time winner and all-time earnings leader added a runner-up last year. Recent form supports an elevated expectation for another run at Pebble Beach. Perfect in four trips with a pair of top 10s and a T13. His touch around greens is especially helpful at Pebble Beach, home of some of the smallest greens on the schedule. Can’t rule out Tiger Woods effect for his MC at Torrey Pines, but the AT&T has been a source of success regardless. Three top 10s and another pair of top 15s in seven appearances. A timely elixir for an 0-for-2 slide in January. Three years since he barely hung on to win here. Four top 10s, a T11 and a T21 in the last six editions. Sparkling history with five top 20s, but has put four rounds together just once (T2, 2010). Just proves that even his B-game is a superb fit. Recent form is mild improving. His customary starting point of a calendar year, but missed last year’s due to surgery. Overall, he’s 17-for-19 with five top 10s with a T7 two years ago. T6 in last start at Seaside. TPC Scottsdale can benefit weak putters, but he’s logged three top 25s in his last five starts, too, so momentum is on his side. First appearance in the AT&T since 2013. Made noise at the WMPO with exceptional ball-striking and placed T16. The Irishman is no stranger to testy weather or this event. He’s 2-for-2 with a T21 in 2015. Tournament debut. A rare breed at his age (22) who is willing and can adapt a comprehensive skill set to any test. Showing no letup despite Farmers’ breakthrough. Two of his last three top 10s anywhere occurred here. The defending champion also finished T10 in 2015. Made last nine cuts upon arrival, three of which for a top 25. Do not challenge the AT&T debutant and PGA TOUR rookie to a putting contest right now. His lights-out stroke has traveled the last two weeks. T9 at Farmers; T4 at WMPO. POWER RANKINGS: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am RANK PLAYER COMMENT You’ll find Matt Kuchar, Martin Laird and Gary Woodland among the notables in Tuesday’s Fantasy Insider. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am features a cut after 54 holes. The low 70 and ties will officially survive, but only the low 60 and ties will go on to play the final round at Pebble Beach. The low 25 pro-am teams will also continue for a fourth round regardless of if the pro misses the cut. Before the cut, all of the 156 golfers and their amateur partners gets one round each on the host course, Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula Country Club’s Shore Course. All are shorter than 7,000 yards. The first two are stock par 72s, while MPCC is a par 34-37=71 with five par 3s and a trio of par 5s coming in. Both of the par 72s averaged over par last year, while MPCC checked in 0.301 strokes below par. En route to his inspiring and surprising triumph, Vaughn Taylor carded a 67 at MPCC despite one bogey and one double. Since the Shore Course was introduced into the rota in 2010, the seven winners have averaged 65.71 on their one trip through. No one course always plays easier or harder in relation to par than the others, but MPCC is usually easiest while Spyglass Hill is typically the most challenging. A fierce weather system is expected to play a significant role through Friday. Rain and wind will lift scores before more favorable conditions take over on the weekend. Given the exposure to the sea with nowhere to hide, experience, patience and temperament are intangibles of greater value this week. From a technical perspective, length off some tees is an asset in the cool air and soggy turf. Greens will likely run slower than the prepared Stimpmeter measurement of 12 feet. 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 columns this week. MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Comfort Zone, Fantasy Insider WEDNESDAY: One & Done THURSDAY: Ownership Percentages in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, One & Done and Champions One & Done presented by SERVPRO * – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks, which also publishes on Tuesdays.

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