in Golf Props

AT&T PEBBLE BEACH NATIONAL PRO-AM
February 9-12, 2007
Pebble Beach Golf Links, Par 72

Last year, Aaron Oberholser came in even par (72) to win the tournament by five strokes (271, -17) over second-place, Rory Sabbatini (276, -12). Jonathan Byrd and Mike Weir finished one stroke behind Sabbatini, at 11-under. Other notables in the top-15 included Tom Lehman and Vijay Singh at 9-under as well as Chris DiMarco and Jose Marie Olazabal at 7-under.

One thing is certain this year, Oberholser will not repeat as champion. With great disappointment, he announced last week that a bulging disc will keep him off of the tour for the next four to six weeks, which will cause him to miss his chance to defend his crown at Pebble Beach, his “favorite golf course in the world.”

The field is packed this year. Sabbatini, Byrd, Weir, Singh, DiMarco and Olazabal are all back for more.

But, for several reasons, one must keep an eye on Phil Mickelson. Of all active players, Phil has the most wins with 11 - yes, even more than Tiger, who has 10 - at multiple-course tournaments, such as the AT&T. Two of those victories came in Monterrey, as he is a two-time champion of this very tournament (1998 and 2005). Given Oberholser's absence, Phil is the closest thing to a returning champion this year.

Just as important, though, Michelson has worked hard in the off-season not only on his game, but on his body through a challenging workout regimen which caused him to lose about twenty pounds while adding muscle to his frame. Contrary to several of his past performances, physically, the goal of his healthier and stronger physique is to let him to finish tournaments, and seasons, without fading.

Like Phil, Singh and Davis Love III have had success at multiple course tournaments. Love has four such wins, including championships right here at Pebble Beach in ’01 and ‘03. Singh won Pebble Beach in 2004 and has two other multiple course championships to his credit.

As the highest-ranking player in this tournament, one would be silly not to consider Singh's chances solid to claim his second Pebble Beach victory.

Keep an eye, also, on Charles Howell, who seems to have matured both in his game and emotionally at the start of this year. Back with David Ledbetter, he has disciplined his driving game and was first in the FedEx Cup standings entering last weekend's tournament in Phoenix.

Still, it is clear that Howell savors the long-ball and is not averse to risk. Several holes into the third-round of the FBR Open last week, he had 13 birdies and three bogies. He averaged 301 yards per drive in his second-round. He was tied for third at 10-under though his score was expected to dive lower since he had four birdies in the last 10-holes during each of the first two rounds.

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