Yes, this is the week we get to see Bill Murray hamming it up with the pros – the Tour’s next stop is the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. As long as Michael Bolton and Kenny G don’t sing or play the sax, I’ll be happy.
As you probably know, it’s a three-course event, with all players cycling through the three courses Thursday through Saturday, then comes the cut before Sunday’s round at Pebble. There’s a bit extra interest for the pros this year—Pebble will be hosting the U.S. Open in June, so this is a bit of a scouting mission.
So who do I like? Well first, if you want past leaderboards and some number crunching to help you make up your own mind, please take a look at my Tour Research Guide. And then come on back and have your mind blown by my sometimes obvious, sometimes daring list of 10 players to watch at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am:
Luke Donald: Started the year off shaky, with a MC and T48, but last week’s 2nd at Riviera hopefully shows he’s back on track. At this event he has a T7 ’06, T11 ’05, T17 ’04.
Retief Goosen: He doesn’t play this event often, but still, he has recent success here with a 3rd in ’09. His last two events on the PGA Tour have been T6, T4, and he’s coming off a T9 at the Qatar Masters on the Euro Tour.
Paul Goydos: I’ve got a good feeling about Goydos this week. He’s coming off a solid T5 at Riviera, and he does have some success here: T4 ’05, T13 ’03, T8 ’02.
Dustin Johnson: The defending champ here, Johnson also has a T7 ’08. He’s coming off a T3 at Riviera that saw him come back with a nice Sunday after a poor Saturday.
Matt Kuchar: Kuchar this year already has a 3rd at the SBS, T2 at the Bob Hope, and is coming off a good T20 at Riviera. The Bob Hope, like Pebble, is a multi-course Pro-Am—perhaps his success at the Hope is a sign of things for Kuchar at Pebble. He does have some decent success here: T14 ’09, T6 ’07.
Steve Marino: No track record here to speak of, but Marino is coming off a solid T5 last week, and I like his game.
Phil Mickelson: Yes, I have to mention Phil. His start has been disappointing so far, with a 19th and T45. He seems to be pushing too hard to take advantage of the Tiger void. But it’s only a matter of time, and you’ve got to respect his success here: winner ’07 and ’05, 3rd ’04, T3 ’01.
Alex Prugh: Who? Well, his last three events have been 5, T5, T10, so Prugh, that’s who.
Bo Van Pelt: Played well in a T15 at Riviera last week. He has decent success here: T24 ’08, T11 ’07, T14 ’06, T25 ’04.
Mike Weir: True, last week was a MC, but he did have a 6th at the Bob Hope, and jeez, look at his record here at this event: 2nd ’09, T14 ’08, T3 ’06, 2nd ’05, T4 ’04, T3 ’03, T8 ’01, T7 ’00. Not bad.
Lefty Watch: Four lefties in the field this week: Greg Chalmers, Phil Mickelson, Nick O’Hern, Mike Weir. Go lefties.