Pros adjusting to drier conditions at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. (KION) - Unlike 2024's rain-and-wind-filled tournament, pros are adjusting to a different set of challenges this year even though the forecast is more favorable.
Golfers like Wyndham Clark noticed a serious difference after practicing out on the courses.
"It's a lot firmer than last year," Clark said. "It's in amazing shape. Last year we had tons of rain leading up to it and during the week and it played its traditional very soft and slow and bumpy. These last couple days we've been practicing here, the ball's bouncing quite a bit, the greens are a lot faster."
Clark won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last year and set the course record in the process.
After practicing at Pebble Beach this week, Clark already thinks the new conditions could impact scores.
"If the weather stays like this, I actually think it will be tougher this year," Clark said. "I think the scores won't maybe be as low."
Clark is one of 80 professionals gearing up for the tournament. Jordan Spieth is among those golfers and will make his season debut at Pebble Beach.
He had a similar experience on the links.
"It's got more bounce to it than any of the AT&Ts I can remember this time of year," Spieth said. "Not quite U.S. Open level, but it's got some bounce to it."
As for how it could impact play, Spieth said it starts in the tee box.
"More accuracy off the tee but definitely more thinking into the greens. 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 first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am starts Thursday.