Pebble Beach final scoreboard here
You don't always need superstars to make for a great game/match. You need the usual culprits, a close game, exciting action, talented athletes, drama, and a cliff hanger finish.
While the top 10 players took this week off , Sunday's AT&T Pebble Beach no Pro Am had all of that capped by two stout metal woods into the par 5 18th, and a well read 20 foot eagle putt by Daniel Berger to seal the deal with a -7 65 -18 total, for his 4th PGA Tour win.
That was good enough to top a spirited charge by Maverick McNealy (66) who ensured Berger needed a birdie on 18 to win, thus the cliff hanger finish, Patrick Cantlay (68), and for a long while Jordan Spieth (70) who only hit 4 fairways in his first 15.
My pick, Paul Casey was in a group T5 68, -14, so in his last 3 starts 1st, T12, T5 to swell the family bank account. He is taking this week off.
Nick Taylor in defence of his title ended up T37, 69 71 72 72 -4.
Spieth is getting a lot of praise for his top 4 finishes over the last two weeks, as his confidence is back coursing through his veins, but he is taking some criticism as well. He has only had two top ten finishes since he last played at this event, and I will say he will have to become a much better player off the tee to get back to being in contention week in and week out.
He was 110th driving accuracy again this week, but was 6th tee to green, a tribute to his iron play. However the rough at Pebble Beach was not a dominant feature. As veteran South African player and long time commentator Tony Johnstone said " sooner or later his poor driving will catch up with him"
He is in the very strong field this week at Riviera with DJ, Rory, Rahm, Thomas etal back in action, and the rough there is usually penal, although I haven't seen the course yet.
Nick Taylor, Corey Connors, Mac Hughes and Adam Hadwin are in the field as well, with David Hearn and Michael Gligic as alternatives.
Bryan Angus
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