The PGA Tour will have visited eight different circuits already in just four tournaments this year. This week it’s the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am hosted over three courses, Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Monterey Peninsula in California.
The 156 professional field will all be teamed up with the same amount of amateurs and will play all three courses before the cut is determined for Sunday's final round .
They will all be competing for a share of the $8.7m prize pot with the winner collecting the title and $1.5m.
Daniel Berger returns to defend his title, winning last years event with a -18 winning scorecard .
The iconic Pebble Beach needs no introduction, it has hosted many a major and will host two rounds including Sunday's exciting final round climax. It’s a par 72 links track playing 6,816 yards.
Spyglass is also a par 72, playing 7, 035 yards & the easier Monterey Peninsula course is a par 71, playing 6,958 yards.
The weather is forecast to be mainly sunny & warm throughout with only gentle breezes to contend with.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf & Sky Sports Main Event with live coverage starting at 4.30pm on Thursday afternoon.
I have mentioned previously that it’s always wise to keep stakes to a minimum at this time of the season until we get a look at what’s happening on both the PGA & DP World Tours. We have been knocking on the door already but just fell short on a couple of occasions in January. It’s a game of patience and requires timing to pick a winner amongst fields that consist over 150 contenders.
Let’s get back on track this weekend and single out the winner for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Patrick Cantlay
For my first and main selection in California I just cannot ignore Patrick Cantlay 9/1 EW Bet365.
Every time the 29 year old from the Golden State enters an event it wouldn’t be wise not to include him as the main danger. This week Cantlay is playing in his backyard in front of his home crowd and he won’t disappoint if you ask me.
If you're ever looking for Cantlay in a tournament, just check the top of the leaderboard, it’s where he hangs around these days. That’s why Cantlay is the current FedEx champion.
In his last four tournaments he has won two of them when winning the BMW Championship and also The Player's Championship.
The other two weren’t shabby either, 4th at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and 9th at the American Express, both this year.
The world ranked 4th best player on the planet doesn’t show up at as many tournaments as most, most probably because he doesn’t have to. He picks his tournaments wisely where he gives himself the best opportunity to win that event.
The talented American also won the Memorial Tournament last year and just has too many Top 20, Top 10 & Top 5 finishes to mention.
He has started the season where he left off last year, playing some stunning golf. He was 3rd at this event last year and 11th the time before that so conditions will suit.
In the last 12 months Cantlay ranks 2nd SG Tee to Green and with this being a test of accuracy and precision, you can bank on Cantlay to be there or thereabouts on Sunday so look no further than Patrick Cantlay to bag yet another victory in his home state this weekend.
Maverick McNealy
For my next selection I’m going to single out Maverick McNealy 28/1 EW Bet365. The 26 year old, also a native to California always turns up at this event and I’ve a feeling this year will be no exception.
Runner-up at Pebble Beach last year, only two shots behind eventual winner Daniel Berger and 5th in 2019, it’s clear to see that McNealy certainly enjoys this event playing in front of the locals.
Among his best performances last year, including runner-up here, was yet another 2nd prize at the Fortinet Championship where he was so unlucky and 4th at the RBC Heritage.
He has finished inside the Top 30 at his five previous tournaments with two of those being Top 20s.
McNealy is yet to win an event on the PGA Tour but has been knocking on the door on a few occasions. He still has plenty of time on his side at only 26 years old and how fitting would it be for him to crowned a champion winning his maiden title in his own backyard.
He played well last week here in California at the Farmers Insurance, shooting 67 twice along with a 71 but a final round 75 would have been disappointing for McNealy. He’s been knocking on the door but can crash that door in this weekend with a maiden PGA title, a fully deserved one at that.
Justin Rose
For my next pick I’m going to advise Justin Rose 28/1 EW William Hill.
I’ve been watching the veteran 41 year old Englishman closely since the start of the year and he looks the Rosey of old.
The 2013 US Open Championship winner finished 6th last weekend at the Farmers Insurance and was hitting the ball well.
Rose had six Top10 finishes last year but was disappointed not to be selected for the Ryder Cup team.
With three Top 20 finishing positions in his last four attempts including two Top 10s, Rose has found a rich vein of form and we all know what he can bring to the table when firing on all cylinders. With fourteen victories across both sides of the pond including a major, I’ve always said that any golfer can come from nowhere to win an event. Just look at Phil Mickelsons comeback victory at the USPGA Championship on the Ocean Couse at Kiawah Island last year, truly remarkable.
Rose hasn’t won an event since 2018 when winning the Fort Worth Invitational on the PGA Tour but I’m not allowing that to put me off this week. I’m just going with the radar here and it’s showing Justin Rose is enjoying his golf at the moment and the signs are there that Rosey could be in that winner's enclosure soon, perhaps this weekend with yet another trophy to add to his already decorated cabinet.
Ryan Palmer v Mito Pereira
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and this week I’m going to advise Ryan Palmer to beat Mito Pereira over the 72 holes for my 10/11 Nap at Ladbrokes.
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
- Patrick Cantlay 9/1 EW Bet365
- Maverick McNealy 28/1 EW Bet365
- Justin Rose 28/1 EW William Hill
- Ryan Palmer to beat Mito Pereira, 72 hole matchbet, 10/11 Nap Ladbrokes
