It’s gone by so many different names — The Crosby Clambake, The Crosby, The Crosby Pro-Am, the Pebble Beach Pro-Am but whatever you want to call it, this week’s stop on the PGA Tour has been popular with the big-name players for years.
This week — not so much.
After his win last week in Saudi Arabia, world’s No. 1 Dustin Johnson made the decision to skip this week’s event after previously committing to play. Who can blame him? The PGA Tour schedule is a crowded calendar and D.J. is playing next week in the Genesis at Riviera then the following week at the recently-moved WGC event. It was relocated from Mexico to the Concession Club in Bradenton, Florida.
The sad part of the D.J. decision is that he was basically the only big name in the field. None of the world’s top 10 will play this week and very few of the top 20. Players have been skipping this event due to the uncertain weather and the painfully slow pace of play with so many amateurs in the field. Good news this year is that golf viewers can watch the action at just two venues — iconic Pebble Beach and mysterious Spyglass.
Over the past few years, the amateurs have taken up too much television time and that pace of play, well, it’s painful at best especially when Bill Murray starts his endless parade of on-course shenanigans. Then again, with no crowds on hand, Murray would have had no one to ham it up with.
Perhaps the biggest story line on the PGA Tour at this moment is the re-appearance of Jordan Spieth. Spieth got himself tied at the top of the leaderboards after Saturday’s third round at Phoenix Open last week with a dazzling round of 61 that included a career-high 10 birdies. Spieth struggled on Sunday with a one-over par 72 and eventually tied for fourth, his best finish in seemingly forever as he showed signs that his long, nearly four-year slump could be coming to an end.
Spieth has played well in the past at Pebble Beach and another high finish could move him back into the top 50 in the world rankings. His finish last week helped him jump from 92nd to 69th.
Another player who has been moving up in the world rankings is rookie Will Zalatoris. He’s now inside the top 50 at No. 49, and will be eligible to play in those big fat, WGC events.
Highest-ranked player in this week’s field is Pat Cantlay, the silent assassin. Cantlay’s just outside the top 10, checking in at No. 11 and his ball-striking prowess should serve him well.
Phil Mickelson is taking a long, hard look at himself this season, trying to wrestle with the fact that he’s not been that competitive on the regular tour. Lefty’s taken a big drop in the world rankings — he’s fallen to No. 86. He played in Saudi Arabia last week. He made the cut but was no factor over the weekend. He’s been The Prince Of Pebble Beach with five victories on the famous links.
With Spieth rising, the Tour’s current big-name slumpster is Rickie Fowler. Rickie’s been falling like a rock in the world rankings and is No. 63 this week. Fowler has been battling the putting woes and even made a change last week before the second round of the Phoenix Open. He ditched his Scotty Cameron X5 prototype in favor of a putter he borrowed from a friend of his caddie. He used a Cameron Oil Can Newport last Friday but still missed the 36-hole cut.
So the good news is that even though D.J. won’t be in the field, there are still some compelling story lines to follow.
More good news is that no one will have to watch Bill Murray or look at his horrible on-course outfits.
As for the weather — over the years it’s come to be known as “Crosby Weather.”
For this week — temperatures won’t climb much higher than 55-degrees with rain forecast for Thursday evening and possibly during the day Friday and Saturday.
D.J. will be glad he’s at home in sunny Jupiter.
12 Comments
baxter cepeda
It’s funny DJ travels accross the world for an appearance fee (wonder how much) only to have to miss a pga tour event for rest; an event that he was almost assured to contend in and very likely win.
The cold weather at pebble is overrated. Even when it’s chilly you feel like a million bucks.
The no amateurs playing will be nice. But For DJ no GREAT 1 probably made the decision to wd easy.
I disagree about Bill Murray. While I am excited not to watch random successful people play golf, I will miss Bills shananigans.
Cantlay has to be licking his chops.
Xander should probably be taking another crack at winning this week considering it’s another rear poa week. Next week in LA will be tougher to win for anybody with a strong field.
This is a great week for someone to take advantage of a weaker field —especially with DJ passing on his best playground on tour — to win on the most iconic of venues on tour.
Tom Edrington
Baxter: Big stuff coming up; WGC event in two weeks, I believe DJ playing Genesis; AP Invitational (Bay Hill(; Honda (five minutes from D.J.’s house; Players….you can’t play every week and after the long flight, I’d take the week off as well…..D.J.’s appearance fee is well into seven figures over there.
baxter cepeda
Dustin Johnson has 8 top 10s in 13 appearances at pebble.
He should have won the US Open there.
He won at&t twice; Plus two seconds and a third.
Winners share is 1.4 million at pebble.
850 for second.
About 550 for third.
216 for tenth.
Dj won 580 and change in Saudi Arabia for the win plus gotta assume a cool million to appear.
Do the math. About 1.5 million for winning pebble or Saudi Arabia. Where would you rather be ?
Why not Stay home and Rest last week then handle his business at
Pebble? Heck even play WM? The real rest needed now is from the jet lag and 12 hour time change.
Social Controversies clearly don’t seem to matter much but to DJ but
Unless he really wants the race to Dubai crown all that travel for almost no financial gain —considering how sure a thing he is at pebble — seems not well thought out; Especially considering the potential fed ex cup points left on the table.
We have seen many a player —from
Tiger to Jordan to many others — destroy their momentum
Chasing these appearance Fees. It’s one thing if there is a lot more money to be made. This feels more like lost money to me; even with a win over there.
Tom Edrington
DJ: Two wins and a second in his last three Saudi appearances, nice hot weather; Uncertainty at Pebble, seven-figure guarantee without winning; Pebble weather; DJ’s fee is probably more than 1M to show up;
baxter cepeda
Probably Tom but again seeing how these appearance fee trips have derailed some careers, I’d rather be in Carmel. DJ had to pass on a week of planned competition because of this trip. It’s really not about a little money at this point for Dj. He has more than enough and so much more in the way.
Tom Edrington
Baxter, because the PGA Tour has the “Flavor Of The Week” not everyone is Sungjae Im and will show up at EVERY tournament, gotta pace yourself….two WGC events and Players on us before you know it….I know DJ wants to build up to The Masters, if his form continues, he’ll be in the mix to repeat…..
baxter cepeda
I will take pebbles weather at it’s absolute worst over Saudi Arabia’s best.
Have you been to pebble ?
Tom Edrington
Sorry, at $600 to play it plus cost to get out there, my choice has been to make the trip over to Scotland; I know a guy here in Tampa who has a house at Pebble Beach…..but no, Pebble is not on my bucket list
Golfnutt
No Bill Murray is certainly good news. However, he did have a pinnacle moment when he and his pro partner won the Pro-Am. An AT&T suit presenting the trophy said: “I never thought I would present this trophy to the likes of you”. Whereupon, Murray responded: “I never thought I would be presented this trophy but the likes of you!” Priceless!
Tom Edrington
Yes, great comeback from Murry who won with D.A. Points!
baxter cepeda
It should be tom.
Being in The area alone is worth it. There are many more affordable courses in the area. But pebble is worth 600; it’s absolutely on my bucket list and I’m one of the most frugal golfers ever.
Just please Tell me you and your crew would choose pebble over Saudi Arabia.
Tom Edrington
Not if the Saudis paid me $1.3 million to show up plus knowing I’ll probably win, two wins one second…..