The event was originally known as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Amateur, or just the Crosby Clambake. After Crosby's death in 1977,[1] the tournament was hosted by his family for eight years.[2] The Crosby name was dropped after the 1985 event,[3][4] and AT&T Corporation became the title sponsor in 1986.[5] It is organized by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation.[6]
In 1967,[14][15][16] the new Spyglass Hill replaced Monterey Peninsula CC as the third course (with the exception of 1977, when it returned to MPCC). After 1990, private Cypress Point was dropped by the PGA Tour because it would not admit an African-American member,[17] and was replaced by Poppy Hills in 1991,[18][19] which hosted through 2009. Poppy Hills was not well received by the players,[18][19] primarily due to poor drainage, and MPCC returned to the rotation in 2010.
Cartoon by "Dennis the Menace" creator Hank Ketcham from the program for the 1971 Crosby Pro-Am
When Gene Littler won the 1975 event, he was the first player who had been on a winning amateur team in this pro-am (which he had done as a 23-year-old in 1954) to have gone on to win it as a pro.[20]
Current playing format
Singer Justin Timberlake at the 2006 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
The starting field consists of 80 professionals and 80 amateurs. Each professional is paired with an amateur partner. On the first two days, 80 two-person teams will play a Better ball format with one round on Pebble Beach and the other round at Spyglass Hill. The pros also play an individual stroke play format. On the last two days, only the pros will advance to the third and final rounds held at Pebble Beach.[21] In addition, there will be fewer celebrities in the pro-am field as well.[22]
Prior playing format
Previously, the starting field consisted of 156 professionals and 156 amateurs. Each professional was paired with an amateur player. On the first three days, 156 two-man teams played a better ball format with one round on each of the three courses. The pros also played an individual stroke play format. On the final day, those professionals and pro-am teams making the 54-hole cut played on the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Individual pro cut: At 54 holes, the low 60 scorers plus any ties. Players between 61st and 70th (and ties) received both official money and FedEx Cup points, as the cut for this tournament ensured the field was smaller than a standard tournament cut of 70 to accommodate the pro-am teams playing on the last day. They were indicated as MDF (made cut, did not finish); this designation was used in other PGA Tour events when more than 78 players made the cut and the field was reduced to 70 and ties after the third round.
Pro-Am cut: At 54 holes, the low 25 teams, plus any ties.
Only professionals competed in the individual competition part of the tournament. Amateurs were restricted to playing only in the pro-amateur team competition. The local Pebble Beach tournament officials organized the pairing of professionals with amateurs, while the PGA Tour managed the assignment of the pros' tee times.
Professional field
The professional field consists of 80 players under the PGA Tour's Signature Events rankings.[23]
Top 50: The 50 players who qualified for the BMW Championship at the end of last year's PGA Tour season.
Should a player who is in the Top 50 not be in good standing with the PGA Tour, then the 51st place player (and so forth) from after the FedEx St. Jude Championship that did not qualify for the BMW Championship shall be a member of the Top 50 until the eligibility list officially has the Top 50. This will also affect the Aon Next 10 list.
If, after sponsor exemptions, there are fewer than 80 players in the field, players 61st and beyond from the final points list of the previous season will be used to fill the field to 80.
Format
Conducted as a planned 72-hole pro-am event, 1958–present. Exceptions are as follows:
18 holes: 1937
36 holes (planned): 1938 to 1942
36 holes, due to bad weather: 1952
54 holes (planned): 1947 to 1951, 1953 to 1957
54 holes, due to bad weather: 1974, 1981, 1986, 1998, 1999, 2009 and 2024
In 1996, the first 36 holes were played as scheduled on Thursday and Friday. Rain on Saturday and Sunday prevented the completion of the tournament and it was canceled (54 holes required to be official due to three course setup).[24][25]
In 1998, weather conditions prevented the tournament from being finished on schedule (9 holes were played Thursday, 9 on Friday, 18 on Saturday, rain Sunday and Monday). The third round was delayed until August to prevent cancellation similar to 1996. 43 of 168 players withdrew rather than return for the final round.
No pro-am: 2021
In 2021, the pro-am section of the tournament was postponed due to safety concerns in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic; as a result Monterey Peninsula was also removed from the course rotation. The amateurs participated in their own tournament during the PURE Insurance ChampionshipPGA Tour Champions event at Pebble Beach in September.[26]
In 2023, the pro-am competition was shortened to 54 holes due to high winds on Saturday, February 4; professionals only competed in the final round on Monday, February 5.
Criticism
Despite being one of the most iconic events on the PGA Tour, many top players tend to skip the event, citing long rounds, celebrity distractions, sketchy weather and the bumpy poa annua greens. In addition, the schedule also made it difficult for players to compete in the event as it was usually the same week as the Saudi International, which also featured a strong field (mainly catered for by large appearance fees). The few top players who did compete regularly at Pebble Beach such as Jordan Spieth, were contractually obligated to compete there due to sponsorship reasons.[27]
In addition, Nicklaus won the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in 1972, Watson in 1982.
Two others have won an AT&T and a U.S. Open at Pebble Beach; Tom Kite (1983 & 1992), and Tiger Woods (2000 & 2000).
Two golfers have won an AT&T and the PGA Tour Champions tournament; John Cook (1981 Crosby & 2014 First Tee) and Hale Irwin (1984 AT&T and
2005 First Tee). Both tournaments are played at Spyglass Hill and Pebble Beach.