The PGA Tour kicks into another gear this week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, with the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth amongst those set to make their first start of the season.
Of course, many eyes will be on Scottie Scheffler this week, with the world number one returning from a hand injury. However, there will be plenty of intrigue to see how Jordan Spieth fares.
Spieth had been sidelined for months after undergoing surgery on his longstanding wrist injury. But he is returning to somewhere where he has enjoyed a lot of success, with the 31-year-old winning the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2017.
He has registered a further five top 10 finishes at the event over the years. So if Spieth is going to hit the ground running in the coming days, then he has a phenomenal chance of making a really successful return to competition.
Jordan Spieth shares the change he’s noticed at Pebble Beach this year
But it appears that there are noticeable changes to the condition at Pebble Beach this year. Speaking ahead of his first round – which will actually be at Spyglass Hill – Spieth issued his verdict on what he has found at Pebble Beach.
“It’s got more bounce to it than any of the AT&Ts I can remember this time of year. Not quite US Open level, but it’s got some bounce to it, which is going to require obviously more accuracy off the tee but definitely more thinking into the greens,” he said.
“Definitely pitch shots, a lot of times you got away with short siding yourself this time of year here and there’s less of that. So it’s a firmer golf course, which I think makes it better. The rough still makes it playable where you still see some guys can score, but you have to be smart about how you’re picking it apart versus getting away with kind of throwing darts in.”
Jordan Spieth picks his favourite holes at Pebble Beach golf course
Pebble Beach is definitely one of the most iconic golf courses in the world. There are a number of holes which probably find themselves on the bucket list of most golfers.
It was the golf course where Jack Nicklaus made his final US Open appearance in 2000, while – at the same event – it provided the stage for Tiger Woods‘ record-breaking 15 shot win.
So it is no surprise that Spieth found it difficult when asked to name his favourite hole on the golf course ahead of his return.
“It’s hard. I mean, I think one of the most underrated, I don’t even know if it’s underrated, one of the most underrated, one of the most challenging holes we play all year is number five. That becomes one of the harder par threes that we’ll play,” he added.
“Most of the other ones are also Nicklaus-designed holes, so he does a good job of making you really think on a par three and have to hit a pretty incredible iron shot. But that stretch of four through 10 is just as good as it gets in golf. It’s so awesome. The seventh hole could be one of the easiest holes relative to par on the course and it could be one of the hardest on a given day with the wind condition. And then that eight, nine, 10 stretch is extremely challenging. I think one of my favorite holes in golf is number six because it’s so dramatic. That’s a long answer, but four through 10.”
Elsewhere, Viktor Hovland was also raving about the golf course. The Norwegian won the 2018 US Amateur at Pebble Beach, so there are plenty of fond memories for him.
And he outlined how delighted he is to be back.
“Love it. One of my favourite courses in the world, places in the world. Not just the golf course but outside the golf course. It’s just unique. Some good memories winning the U.S. Amateur here, low amateur at the U.S. Open. Yeah, just this is a place I look forward to coming back every year,” he said.
Like Spieth, Hovland will be desperate for Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill to inspire him this week. It has been a frustrating time for someone who clearly has the talent to be one of the best players in the world.
Certainly, the PGA Tour will have few complaints if Sunday sees a leaderboard which has the likes of Spieth, Hovland and Scheffler battling it out.
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