PGA Tour: Pebble Beach Weather at Pebble Beach: Notes from the Ballwasher

1).The US dictionary definition of rainy, cool, windy weather reads "Typical British Weather", the one exception being when it occurs on California's Monterey Peninsula when it's known as True Crosby Weather. And that's what we have this week, for the second tournament of three to be staged on great California Championship courses, after Torrey Pines and before Riviera next week. But, after rain today, there should be some clearing Friday and so far it looks like a fine weekend.

2).There are not many four-week stretches on Tour that match these three coastal Cal venues, each with a dozen memorable holes, and mostly for golfing reasons, not because they're in the middle of a sea of beer tents. Not that there's anything wrong with that, and the Pebble Beach experience is also marred - by the presence of "celebrities" we've never heard of, but the TV cameras seem to be fixated with.

3).Robert Louis Stevenson described the Pebble Beach area as "the most felicitous meeting of land and sea" in creation - the second half of that sentence: "after the Isle Of Wight" is somehow ignored - and Pebble Beach is a must-play course if you ever get the chance, to hell with the cost. In my book the short Par-3 7th hole is the best short Par-3 around (though not when the USGA sets it up for US Opens), and the second shot approaching the Par-4 8th is just breathtaking, my favourite Par-4 anywhere.

4).The "Crosby Clambake" of decades past is now known lyrically as the "AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am" and is another tournament where "course specialists" tend to do well. Not last year, though, when Mickelson missed a short putt on the 72nd hole to hand the tournament to Vaughn Taylor, the sweet-swinging journeyman who would be ranked as the most unexpected winner of the year if Jim Herman and Brian Stuard didn't tie him for the honour a few months later.
Phil has won here four times, and DJ and Snedeker twice each.
But Steve Lowery (capitalizing on a Vijay meltdown) and DA Points won here too.
Why doesn't McDowell play here more often? Apart from his US Open win, he's enjoyed a couple of top tens but only turns up once every three or four years. A real head-scratcher.

5).But McDool is not as much of a course specialist as Hideki Matsuyama - his phour phorays to Phoenix have phinished in T4, 2nd, Win, Win.
Having said which, I was very surprised that Ben An became unravelled on the back nine - he closed with fantastic golf at Wentworth when he won, was expecting more of the same.

6).The "Sleeper" pick for Phoenix should surely have been Steven Bowditch, who snoozed through two traffic light greens while trying to drive somewhere after getting paralytic with Phoenix hospitality last Thursday night.
Not to be hypocritical but: In an era when Vijay gets suspended for snorting deer antler spray, and when Bowditch admitted his "offence", why doesn't the Tour send a proper message and ground him? Not sure I understand that. Bowditch has a lifetime of problems with depression etc, and hopefully the Tour will ensure he continues to receive the treatment he seems to need. He's playing with Furyk today, so maybe Jim can provide a sympathetic ear.

7).And, talking of Furyk, he has tweaked the timing of the final Captain's "Pick" for the 2018 Ryder Cup. (EDIT: Tks GPB) He's also adjusting the points reward for winning/placing in a Major, plus he's making his final "Pick" a week earlier, presumably to give the lucky man more time to spend with his French Dictionary.

8).There's a strong field for this week's Champions Tour event in Florida, with an impressive turnout of European Ryder Cuppers: Broadhurst, Jimenez, Langer, Lyle, McGinley, Montgomerie, Olazabal, Parnevik, Price, Woosnam.

9).Talking of Langer, he's now vying with Hale Irwin for the best record in Champions Tour history:
Irwin won 45 tournaments between 1995 and 2007, in 293 events, a 15.36%age.
Langer has 30 wins so far, in 188 events, a 15.96% hit-rate. And apparently getting better with age.

10).These California courses are just the sort of venue where one might expect Shane Lowry's shot-making talent to come to the fore. This is his third trip with 21st, 41st finishes so far, and hopefully he'll back up a decent Phoenix result with a really good week.
Other European tourists include: Gonzo, Harrington, Johnston, Laird and Justin Rose.
And Luke Donald whose brother has won more prize-money than Lukey this year, caddying for the ATM known as Brendan Steele.  
Looking forward to the week, watching the Pro-Am element with gritted teeth and hoping for a sunshiny Sunday showing Pebble Beach at its best.

You know this but I should have mentioned it anyway:
Format this week is one round each at Spyglass Hill, Monterey Peninsula Club, Pebble Beach, then Round 4 at Pebble.
Cut is T70 and ties, but only T60 and ties play Sunday, the odd men out get paid for three days' play.
Looks dry right now but a storm just offshore - when will it start to interfere?


And: Talking of storms, hope Plunky, Grumpy & Shotrock are enjoying your snow . . . . . . . Not bad here, just bl00dy cold.

Really nice write-up as usual Kwini - thanks.

Langer better hope those in authority don't notice he's taking the p*** with his putting style any time in the near future...

Kwini:

Furyk has actually reduced the weighting of the 2018 majors (as compared to the 2016 majors) from 2x to 1.5x for everyone but the winners.

It was 2x for all Americans that made the cut in 2016. Now only the winner (if American) get 2x and the rest of cut-making Americans get 1.5x.

Watching early round coverage on PGATour. No umbrellas in sight.

Kwini - good stuff.
Never played, or even been to Pebble, but views from tv look magnificent. Definitely on my to do list. Nearest for me has probably been NSW (La Perouse) which has a par 3 contender. Hole 6 has an island tee, playing back to the 'mainland', and the views all round are spectacular. Pebble does look exceptional, and I agree totally re GMac. Why wouldn't you go back to somewhere representing the highlight of your career to date?
This round of courses really appeals as they are 'proper' golfing country. Far more attractive than much of the over manicured water parks the tour will move to shortly. I know some pros don't like the grasses, but for me it represents golfing heaven.
Will watch in small doses to avoid the celeb stuff, although Bill what's his name being incredibly zany is always a treat - every time I see him I go to the store and pour something from Scotland, Ireland, or nowadays Wales or even England!

Cheers Chaps,

Pebble certainly is magnificent but it does have its clunker holes amongst the beauties. An interesting rather than breathtaking beginning it doesn't really come to life until the second shot at the Par-5 6th; then I don't much care for the Par-3 12th, can't believe someone can't re-do that green, and the 14th is just ordinary, probably inspired Nicklaus for his lack-lustre 13th at Muirfield Village. And they really need to re-do the green on #15; perhaps they've done that for this year?
Well worth the trip though and well worth the greens fees, extortionate though they may be.

navy,
Agree about Langer, quite ridiculous.

And: GPB, I just copied that from a newspaper article, so apologies if they/I got it wrong. Maybe the early starters will stay mostly dry but reckon the stragglers are in for a soaking, with heavy rain still in tonight's forecast.


Shane and Seamus are showing Paddy who's got the Power so far today.

Messy finish for Shane, but still a good first day; for Seamus Power too.

It's puzzling how some golfers look like top players one year, also rans the next.
Looks like Danny Lee is following in the ignominious footsteps of Brendon Todd; Lee has walked off the course today, projected to drop to about 175th in FedEx points, without a Top Ten finish for nine months and destined to join Todd on the web.com circuit unless he pulls his socks up. 18 months ago he was a Presidents Cupper . . . . . . .

Hi Kwini. Rode a motorcycle around California one year. Went to Pebble Beach and they stopped me at the gate by 2nd Avenue and said "No bikes" (Bikeist!!) But they let me walk in. So there I was, in full bike leathers, walking the course, just to get an idea of what it was like.

Good write up as usual. Cheers.

kwinigolfer wrote:Messy finish for Shane, but still a good first day; for Seamus Power too.

It's puzzling how some golfers look like top players one year, also rans the next.
Looks like Danny Lee is following in the ignominious footsteps of Brendon Todd; Lee has walked off the course today, projected to drop to about 175th in FedEx points, without a Top Ten finish for nine months and destined to join Todd on the web.com circuit unless he pulls his socks up. 18 months ago he was a Presidents Cupper . . . . . . .

Danny Lee to me is like Michelle Wie, lot of promise, lots of hype but no end product.

Thing is though super, Lee actually looked fleetingly as if he might be the real thing after all that promise, but now he's fizzled again.

Better forecast for today at Pebble, but it rained quite heavily last night so not sure if they'll complete Round 2 today; it'll be subject to a one hour delay.

Hadn't realised that the Eric Cole on the web.com Tour is Bobby Cole's (and Laura Baugh's) son. Two golfers with great talent (and "issues") that somehow never reached the heights their promise suggested.
Followed Bobby Cole once for 18 holes, in Abilene of all places, and he must go down as another South African who never quite made the most of his abilities.

super_realist wrote:

Danny Lee to me is like Michelle Wie, lot of promise, lots of hype but no end product.

Are you talking about the Michelle Wie that won a US open?

Spyglass is an odd course. A couple of holes at the start in the dunes then a lot of very mediocre holes.


I have almost given up trying to work out why players use certain schedules so it is not surprise that G-Mac skips pebble. I know it makes sense that he should play it but are some guys picking schedules based on sponsor events or other non-playing related criteria as it often seems a player does not play based on their optimal performance.

McLaren wrote:

super_realist wrote:

Danny Lee to me is like Michelle Wie, lot of promise, lots of hype but no end product.

Are you talking about the Michelle Wie that won a US open?

Yes, but she's hardly lived up to expectation as she? Touted as the next Sorenstam and the biggest thing in womens golf, but was never fit enough to lace her golf shoes.

When you look at what many women have done in the game, Wie has achieved precious little given how much she was hyped up, much like Danny Lee.

Mac,
McDool will have to rethink his schedule unless he picks up his form - don't reckon he'll much want to sit around at home while others are swanning off playing WGC's and Majors (only in US Open as things stand).


Never cared for Wie, too much (sponsorship) money way too early and diva's her way round the game now. Not to mention unattractive. Can't take anything away from her playing record, but that's becoming a now.

Tiger out of the Genesis Open and Honda Classic...It will be incredibly sad if his career ends this way

Oof,
Once again, wonder if he's getting the best medical advice - the consistency, or otherwise, in his medical status is all over the place. US medical care may the the world's most expensive but they don't get the best outcomes - is this another example?
Regardless, still don't think flying commercial to Dubai was his smartest move.
What's next? Bay Hill?? We'll have to see, but he needs to get his back stable by Augusta given how tough a walk that's supposed to be.


I see US Tour pro, Justin Hicks, is leading on the Sunshine Tour. And "Mary's" son Steve having a decent tournament.

Great stuff as always Kwini!

Good shout re Shane

kwinigolfer wrote:Oof,
Once again, wonder if he's getting the best medical advice - the consistency, or otherwise, in his medical status is all over the place. US medical care may the the world's most expensive but they don't get the best outcomes - is this another example?
Regardless, still don't think flying commercial to Dubai was his smartest move.
What's next? Bay Hill?? We'll have to see, but he needs to get his back stable by Augusta given how tough a walk that's supposed to be.


I see US Tour pro, Justin Hicks, is leading on the Sunshine Tour. And "Mary's" son Steve having a decent tournament.

When you start talking about "how hard a walk is" and that how hard it is ought to be a consideration, then you've already had it.

If a golf pro ranks courses on how hard they are too walk, their career is limited in the extreme.

9C retiring would be like Bruce Forsyth dying, you can't complain, because he's had a good innings.

Yet it's even odds that Bruce Forsyth will have a comeback before Tiger.

super_realist wrote:

kwinigolfer wrote:Oof,
Once again, wonder if he's getting the best medical advice - the consistency, or otherwise, in his medical status is all over the place. US medical care may the the world's most expensive but they don't get the best outcomes - is this another example?
Regardless, still don't think flying commercial to Dubai was his smartest move.
What's next? Bay Hill?? We'll have to see, but he needs to get his back stable by Augusta given how tough a walk that's supposed to be.


I see US Tour pro, Justin Hicks, is leading on the Sunshine Tour. And "Mary's" son Steve having a decent tournament.

When you start talking about "how hard a walk is" and that how hard it is ought to be a consideration, then you've already had it.

If a golf pro ranks courses on how hard they are too walk, their career is limited in the extreme.

9C retiring would be like Bruce Forsyth dying, you can't complain, because he's had a good innings.

Yep. It's also not like they have to carry and it takes ~5 hours to saunter round.

Great shame if Tiger is done, but no surprise after seeing him (on tv) first round at Dubai - he just looked so stiff.
Thing is we don't really know what the problem has been, or what the prognosis is. On your point about medical results Kwini, you are so right. I'm a late starter at golf, and only after significant spinal surgery. I was very lucky to be introduced to the consultant who sorted mine, and to be part of his research programme for the following 10 years. Much of the research was being used to demonstrate world wide, and particularly US that the specific method of performing a laminectomy and spinal fusion did not produce such a delicate result that subjects wrapped in cotton wool was the only product. While I've had some back issues subsequently around the operation site, they were nothing to do with the op and time and strong drugs (!) sorted it. It was actually my consultant who suggested golf, when I explained that without something competitive people tell me I get a bit grumpy.
Would like nothing more than to see some good golf from Tiger, and not have to rely on film - oh and a major or two for Lee and Sergio. If he really is done it's a case of you don't know what you had till its gone.

I think Les Dawson might have a come back before Tiger at this stage unfortunately!

Mac,
I've never been to Spyglass, except the holes visible from the road, but it's quite highly rated. Do you dismiss holes just because they're in the trees rather than amongst the dunes?

Whatever, the whole place looks borderline unplayable right now, every shot taking an eternity if the pgatour.com coverage is anything to go by.

puligny,
Very interesting; makes one wonder if TW has had any second opinions. DeLaet reckons he had the same surgery and he's comeback reasonably well, except with his chipping yips a la Woods of a couple of years ago.

And agree about lw1 and Sergio!!

Talking about injuries: Happy to see Nick Watney having a decent round, must be one of the best guys to follow, but has been going through a tough time with his comeback.

I have said it before I really do wonder how much of Tigers problem is mental in that he believes deep down that he'll never get back to where he was. In a sense he's right but in another sense it's also a self limiting thing. He doesn't perform like he thought, like he once could, so minor niggles become big issues.

What's wrong with Spyglass then Mac?? got some awesome holes on it. especially the Par 3s and short par 4s and a couple of great par 5s. Yes you stand on the 3rd tee, look to your left and see some of Dr McKenzies work and wish you were there but hey ho such is the Monterrey Peninsula.

Didnt remember you had back issues Puligny, upper, lower or all over?

Round 2 just began, can't see it being completed until well into Saturday. Finishing Round 3 tomorrow a bit dodgy.

...oh and you're right Kwini, assuming a decent tee shot, the 2nd shot on 8 at PB is one of thee most awesome shots in golf. There are quite a few jaw dropping moments along that shoreline. Indeed every tee shot 4 thru 10 (except for 8) jabs the senses but the 2nd on 8 more than makes up for the lack of drama off the tee. The view on the right (of Carmel Bay)coming down 9 & 10 is something every golfer should make an effort to experience.

Yup,
I haven't played the "Nicklaus" 5th hole which opened in 1999, and it's seldom seen on TV - the old one was pretty nondescript. Also not sure that they didn't shift the 4th tee since I've been there, but you're right, and it's now a fine short Par-4.
(I actually like 1, 2 and 3 as well but they're not quite in the mould of what follows!)

JAS - lower spine. Started as 2 stress fractures which eventually caused nerve problems. I was lucky with initial problem in that I had no back pain, but terrible problems with my right leg which would swell alarmingly. Knew I had to take it more seriously when I had to cut a Wellington boot off after walking the dog! This was shortly after a couple of knee ops, but I won't bore you with the whole of my sports injury background, and it was thought at first it might be connected to that, or subsequently a thrombosis. Different people making assessments. Finally physio who had worked with me after knee ops got surgeon to authorise back X-ray, and bingo - 2 fractured vertebrae!

Lol no they're not are they?? I think the old 5th green is now in part of Charles Schwab's back garden, the new 5th I think is a very underrated hole but I have to say, awesome though 4&5 are when you go around the edge of Chez Schwab, walk on to the 6th tee then turn around to see what awaits, that's the first really sharp intake of breath moment.

puligny wrote:JAS - lower spine. Started as 2 stress fractures which eventually caused nerve problems. I was lucky with initial problem in that I had no back pain, but terrible problems with my right leg which would swell alarmingly. Knew I had to take it more seriously when I had to cut a Wellington boot off after walking the dog! This was shortly after a couple of knee ops, but I won't bore you with the whole of my sports injury background, and it was thought at first it might be connected to that, or subsequently a thrombosis. Different people making assessments. Finally physio who had worked with me after knee ops got surgeon to authorise back X-ray, and bingo - 2 fractured vertebrae!

Bloody hell Puligny, that's a great story to come out the other side of not crippled!! Now we can only guess at Tiger's situation. It's probably less serious but mentally he just hasnt reset.

Jon Rahm must be thinking that anything Wiesberger can do, he can do better. 6 birds on the trot, three to catch Bernd.

kwinigolfer wrote:And: Talking of storms, hope Plunky, Grumpy & Shotrock are enjoying your snow . . . . . . . Not bad here, just bl00dy cold.

Not too bad in terms of snow but the bastarding wind made clearing the snow a bl00dy nightmare. Only real concern was whether the weather would balls up flying back to Blighty tonight.

Round 2 suspended due to fog. Fog? Thought they only had marine layers in California.
They'll have marine layers "on the Tyne" next.

Spieth and Day coming to play - will they fare as well at PB?

Spieth and Day will come to play next week also, at Riviera, along with a host of galacticos including:
Day, DJ, Hideki, Spieth, Scott, Thomas, Garcia, Reed, just to mention those in the owgr Top Ten.

Other Europeans include:
Casey, Donald, Harrington, Kjeldsen, Lowry, McDowell, Molinari, Pieters, Rose.

A very strong field, probably about 60+ owgr pts to the winner.

kwinigolfer wrote:Spieth and Day will come to play next week also, at Riviera, along with a host of galacticos including:
Day, DJ, Hideki, Spieth, Scott, Thomas, Garcia, Reed, just to mention those in the owgr Top Ten.

Other Europeans include:
Casey, Donald, Harrington, Kjeldsen, Lowry, McDowell, Molinari, Pieters, Rose.

A very strong field, probably about 60+ owgr pts to the winner.

Reed is playing? He called in sick to the Euro Tournament in Perth next week.

He probably booked with Emirates but saw what happened to Tiger..

That's what it says on pgatour.com, GPB. Just reporting.

Kwin - Snow event was modest. And for us CNY's hardly worth brushing off your shoulder! Speaking of CNY we hope to close on a place in the ADK's this month or next. I see many more rounds at Newport (and Thendara, and Inlet and the Sadaquada ...) in my future.

Good news on the ADK action, Sr; we have a storm incoming on Sunday night, could be our first real wallop for 2 or 3 yrs.


Round 2 should be back underway in Monterey at 7.30 a.m., Round 3 kicking off at 10.00 a.m.; 8 hour time adjustment for Anfield time.

Seemed a little weird here playing golf (no hat or winter gloves required) on Wednesday and then  shoveling snow Thursday.   High winds but not as much snow as originally forecast -- 6-ish rather than 8-12. A couple more inches last night.  On Long Island we were obligated to get out and shovel off the sidewalk but we have no sidewalk here so can take our time ! 

Glad you made it unscathed then, The Peoples Republic of Burlington has a fleet of sidewalk ploughs, which is infuriating in an entirely different way.
Hope this week's meteorological nonsense misses you, get back out and play instead.


Nothing to do directly with Pebble Beach, but a nice note from princedrac this morning observing that it's 10 months since Spieth & Willett were at the top of their leaderboard together. Different leaderboards this time.

When I lived up in Franklin County VT, I hated those Sidewalk snow plows.

Sidewalk ploughs ?!  We used to get by on LI with shovels and the good-will of a few neighbors who had snow blowers.   I do miss the people on the corner though.   Both in their nineties but they used to run an Italian restaurant -- she did all the cooking.  So when we shoveled for them they would insist on giving us some home-made chicken parmigiana and a bottle of wine.   A snow day meant we had a really good dinner to look forward to !

Isn't Bill Murray a hoot? Hope I'm spelling that correctly!

Just watched Speith and Johnson tee off from the second. I could not do it. I would take out a whole crowd of people on the left. They hit it down an avenue of spectators about 10 yards wide.

kwinigolfer wrote:
Regardless, still don't think flying commercial to Dubai was his smartest move.

I imagine flying first class on Emirates is about as luxurious as you can get. Probably a private cabin with a double bed and a hostess to service your every need... Actually that could be a very good reason for his bad back.

I'm never wrong wrote:Just watched Speith and Johnson tee off from the second. I could not do it. I would take out a whole crowd of people on the left. They hit it down an avenue of spectators about 10 yards wide.

INW, surprised this doesn't happen more often...

https://youtu.be/Ey88k9JXH3g