There are tough jobs and then there is the task of dressing up this year’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, deserted by a number of stars and former champions given waivers to pursue PIFSIPSIA riches.
Certainly it’s not all bad, with great adds to the Pro-Am field in Mia Hamm and Mookie Betts. Otherwise, I’m not sure Der Bingle would know what to do with this…
MONTEREY, Calif., Jan. 25, 2022 – The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is poised to welcome back its unique vibe at this year’s tournament as spectators return to line the courses to watch the world’s top players join with celebrities, several making their debuts, in the popular pro-am format. The four-day tournament tees off Thursday, Feb. 3 with play on Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula Country Club’s Shore course.
United States Ryder Cup teammates Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth and Daniel Berger, set to defend his AT&T title from a year ago, headline the professional field. Cantlay and Spieth finished tied for third place behind Berger who dramatically eagled the 72nd hole on Sunday to punctuate his victory. Other top professionals appearing are Matt Fitzpatrick, Kevin Kisner, Justin Rose and Maverick McNealy, the Stanford graduate who was runner-up to Berger in 2021.
Celebrities making their tournament debut include:
Mia Hamm – two-time Olympic gold medalist, and two-time FIFA Women's World Cup champion;
Mookie Betts – Dodgers’ outfielder and first player in MLB history to win MVP Awards and World Series titles with different teams before age 30;
Lukas Nelson – country rock musician and son of Willie Nelson;
Canelo Álvarez – professional boxer who has won multiple world championships in four weight classes from light middleweight to light heavyweight;
ScHool Boy Q – American rapper and songwriter from South Central Los Angeles; and
Scott Eastwood – actor and producer.
Returning favorites in the celebrity field include Macklemore, Don Cheadle, Josh Duhamel, Kira Dixon, Huey Lewis, Ray Romano, Alfonso Ribeiro, Darius Rucker, and Jake Owen as well as former NFL stars Steve Young, Larry Fitzgerald and Alex Smith.
A few professionals have practically earned celebrity status based on the number of times they have played the event. Defending champions Davis Love III (2001, 2003) and Peter Jacobsen (1995), whose playing partner for many years was the beloved Jack Lemmon, each return for the 31st time. Tom Lehman is back for his 22nd year.
“There is always considerable excitement around the tournament but with the spectators and celebrities on hiatus last year, the buzz is even greater with their return for 2022,”said Steve John, CEO of Monterey Peninsula Foundation, host of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. “It promises to be memorable for the players, fans, volunteers and the deserving charities that will benefit.”