THERE are few finer places to play golf than the Monterey Peninsula on the Californian coast and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am showcases that quality year after year. As the title hints, Pebble Beach, ranked the number one course in America by Golf Digest, hosts, but Spyglass Hill also features.
Both tracks feature spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean, dramatic sweeping fairways and greens perched on the cliff tops. It’s a giddy prospect for the players and a pretty awesome one for those of us watching on television. There is an unlikely advantage to the Covid restrictions this week too – no amateurs, which means no coverage of minor celebrities being wacky in all manner of toe-curling ways. Turn on, tune in, enjoy the scenery and hope one of this trio can land the spoils.
Each Way – Kevin Streelman (40/1)
Through his first three visits to this tournament 42-year-old Kevin Streelman did not find many greens in regulation and it hurt him – he missed the cut every time. He improved in his next five visits, but made only one top 30, although that was a top ten in 2012. The worm truly turned in 2016 however. Since then he has hit far more greens and the results have improved as a consequence. He’s made five starts in that period, recorded a top 20 every time, hasn’t been outside the top seven in the last three years and was runner-up 12 months ago. He’s also taken a notable liking to Pebble Beach in particular, the course which now hosts three of the four laps. In fact – he’s gone sub-70 in his last six final rounds there.
Two weeks ago he ranked 13th for finding the greens at Torrey Pines on his way to T37th. Last week at TPC Scottsdale he ranked fourth for hitting the putting surface in regulation, carded four rounds in the 60s, and landed T22nd. This week a solid tee-to-green game should be even better rewarded so he’s trending in the right category and also in results. Why does he like this test? He said last year: “You have to get the right angle, the right distance, you can't go over the green, you can't have that downhill putt. You’re always thinking about the shot in front of you and it keeps you from getting too far ahead of yourself.” It’s a good fit for him and it can work again.
Each Way – Peter Malnati (66/1)
With his floppy hat and slightly goofy presence on and around the course, 33-year-old Peter Malnati cuts an unlikely figure on the PGA Tour. But 12 months ago he got himself into a decent spot in this event, lying tied sixth after 54 holes before recording T11th. Having a top 20 in the event is important when looking for winners here – the last 11 have all had one, even when a rank outsider like Ted Potter Jr was the champion three years ago.
Malnati also owns another important pointer – he’s had a decent warm-up putting on Poa Annua earlier in the season. In his case it came when he again finished T11th, this time at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines two weeks ago. That result is one of five top 25s with which he has kicked off the 2020-21 season and, in all, he has found himself in the top four at the end of a round in six of his eight starts. He’s getting into contention, in other words, and he can do so again this week – and maybe even land win number two.
Outsider – Harry Higgs (125/1)
While making his debut here last year 29-year-old Harry Higgs was pretty effusive about his experiences. “Pebble Beach is pretty incredible,” he gushed. “I mean, it’s probably the greatest piece of land to have a golf course on that I’ve ever seen. I’ve had a lot of fun and some decent play, too, which is nice as well.” He found a lot of greens on that debut (over 70% of them to rank in the top ten) and it helped grab him T18th.
It wasn’t the first time that he has played nicely in California on Poa Annua greens. He was tied ninth at Torrey Pines last season and opened this campaign with solo second at Silverado in the Safeway Open – only an inspired performance from veteran Stewart Cink stopped him collecting a first tour title. Breaking that duck in this event might be a tough task, but he can give us a great run for our money at a big price.
