Tinker

Greens are always bumpy there in the afternoon. It's the nature of Poa greens, which is the variety of grass on the greens at a few renowned venues there on the west coast.

Pebble is a tough course, or can be anyway. Lots of approach angles that force a player to play away from the Sunday hole locations. DJ had a LW into one of the greens from 95 yards, ended up having to make a 6-footer to save par because he went pin-seeking and ended up in the fringe above the hole, 10 feet away... had to putt sideways just to keep it somewhat close.

As scenic as PB is - it's can also be a very demanding layout depending on the conditions.

We overlook that because we (the fans) see it more as an ultra-expensive resort mecca, but the layout is actually incredibly challenging for these guys on Sunday. The 350-yd tee shot doesn't mean a lot if it leaves the approach at the wrong angle to a tight pin.

Those greens have a lot more slope to them than what appears on the tv camera.


      Ted Potter is a local boy here where I live. Good to see him win again!

      PA-PLAYA We overlook that because we (the fans) see it more as an ultra-expensive resort mecca

      I saw on their website that they have a winter stay and play "special." Two rounds of golf (one at Pebble) and room for two nights for $2395 - $2595 depending on which room you pick with options for a 3rd and 4th day. 😝

          Rickochet

          Its not cheap but everybody i have talked to who has gone and played the courses raves about it.

          For a golf nut its something many have as a bucket list trip. I was actually just texting with Jimeng the other day about playing the Monteray courses and Pasatiempo in the near future before i get too old .

            Rickochet

            One would have to play two rounds, right? The initial round would just be an appetizer where one takes in the views and scenery, gets wrapped up in the nostalgia of tournaments gone by and the history of the place.

            The next day you go out and plan your assault on Pebble Beach.

            Only to realize that despite your financial ability to drop 3 dimes on a two-day golf trip - you still suck at golf and will never likely be back there to play ever again. lol

              I played it twice, way back in the very early 90s when I still had some game (lol). Played the white tees, and the pins weren't set up for competition. Shot 80 both times. First time 38 on the front, 42 on the back; second time 42 on the front, 38 on the back.

              Gorgeous, gorgeous layout. Back then the 5th hole was a shortish, extremely uphill par 3 that played essentially straight away from the ocean. It was later replaced with the much more scenic 5th hole that Jack Nicklaus designed.

              I lived in Carmel for three years. My wife and I used to go down to the beach a lot. I would often walk up the beach toward Pebble and occasionally climbed the hill so I could stand right behind the 10th green and enjoy the view. I also attended the 1991 US Open at Pebble, and on Thursday I followed a group all the way around.

              I love watching this tournament because it brings back so many good memories for me.

              Oh, and here's a Nick Faldo story. At the practice round on Wednesday, the day before the US Open in 1991, when Faldo got to the 7th tee he was dissing the hole. I can't remember EXACTLY what he said, but it was pretty close to this: "This isn't even a proper par 3. It belongs on a pitch-and-putt course."

              As you may or may not remember, on Sunday of the US Open the winds were howling. When Faldo got to the 7th tee on Sunday, he had to hit a 6-iron (remember, the hole is only 111 yards long)! Anyway, after Faldo's 6 iron ended up short and slightly left of the green, one of the spectators yelled, "How do you like our pitch-and-putt hole now?"

                rsvman

                I really do believe Pebble Beach is one of the best-designed courses in all of golf.

                It kinda loses some of it's prestige because of the Pro-Am aspect of the tournament it holds each year, but it is really a gem of a layout.

                I just seem to enjoy those courses that require a player to think long and hard about going at a pin, regardless of how short their approach distance might be.

                Riviera is coming up... same with that course too. One of my favorites.

                  PA-PLAYA

                  DJ's partner was his father in law Wayne Gretzky who from had a previous committment and had to leave Sunday to attend an big NHL Centennial celebration that evening in Edmonton ....of the Greatest NHL team of the last 100 years....his 84/85 Oilers. I doubt DJ was perturbed since this was known for quite some time.

                      PA-PLAYA

                      Its possible he did injure his back too but with DJ teeing off later and Gre tzky needing to be in Edmonton Sunday afternoon for the big celebration he wasnt playing Sunday regardless. Its what about a 3 hour flight and Edmonton is an hour ahead time wise. He might even have flown out Saturday night as there were events that night too.

                      Sounds like his back was feeling better its reported he hoisted the 35 pound Stanley Cup overhead .

                        Weirfan

                        Took the words right out of my mouth. He looks closer to 90 than 70.