Golf:The world's top players will get an early chance to familiarise themselves with the changes at Pebble Beach ahead of the US Open when they compete in this week's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-am.
The famous Californian course will play host to the US Open in June and six of the world’s top 20 have taken the chance to get an early look at the adjustments that have been made.
Defending champion Dustin Johnson, plus Pádraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia, Sean O’Hair and Retief Goosen will take part in a tournament that pairs golf’s elite with famous names from film, music and other sports.
Players will rotate between Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Monteray Peninsula - which has replaced Poppy Hills this year — on the opening three days before the final round at the venue for the US Open.
That will give players at least two days to cast an eye over the changes, which include the addition of a number of new bunkers while the fairway contours have been pushed closer to the cliffs in an attempt to try to bring the bordering Pacific Ocean into play.
With wet conditions forecast this week, the course is likely to play differently to when the sun beats down in June. However, Luke Donald admitted he was just happy to get the chance to look around the course.
“I’m not sure I’ll learn too much,” he said. “It’s more about familiarising myself again with the course.
“It will play a little bit different in June but still, it’s nice to get familiar, hopefully have a good week and leave here with some good feelings.”
Johnson won last year’s event after rain washed away hopes of playing the final round, rendering his 54-hole score a winning total.
The 25-year-old is looking forward to defending his title, especially with the wet conditions looking likely to return.
“I like this tournament a lot,” he said.
“I like everything about it. I like the town. I like the golf courses. I like the tourney. It’s just a joy to play.
“I won last year here and it helped my confidence the rest of the year.
“With the conditions wet, they’re going to play long. It’s not going to be the same course now that it will be in June but the more you play a course the more comfortable you get.
“The fairways are similar to the Open.”
John Daly will play his first tournament after he opted not to stick to his hasty decision to quit golf after the Farmer’s Insurance Open a fortnight ago.
Daly said he “was done” after the tournament but only a couple of days later decided to continue on the PGA Tour and will partner Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo.
Other celebrity names scheduled to play this week include multi-world-title-winning surfer Kelly Slater, actor Andy Garcia, musician Michael Bolton and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Tom Brady.