PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — A strong wind was more than just a menace at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. The wind caused the tournament to stop Saturday due to two holes on one course. It also set up a Monday finish with no amateurs.
Keith MitchellHe was able to get through the worst stretch wind at Pebble Beach. It was so strong that he hit a 8-iron on the hole number 7, which is 106 yards. Just as he thought he was done with the ocean holes, the horn blew and stopped play.
Mitchell stated, We knew going in today that those would be the tough holes. That stretch was going to be the most difficult of all week. If we could get that stretch done in a decent score, I would be set for the weekend.
He made it through and, after a long drive on No. With the wind at his side, he suddenly had the rest the day off.
Peter MalnatiWith six holes remaining in his round at Pebble Beach, he was at the top of the leaderboard at 12 over. Play stopped at the fourth green after he made three consecutive birdies. He began on the back nine, along the ocean, in benign conditions.
Mitchell, playing with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Joseph BramlettPlaying with Welsh soccer star Gareth BaleThose were at 10 and under.
Kurt Kitayama, the 36th-hole leader. Hank LebiodaThey were 3 shots behind. They were at Spyglass Hill.
The Shore course at Monterey Peninsula, in particular the stretch that runs along with the ocean, was the culprit. Gary Young, the chief referee of the PGA Tour, started receiving reports about balls moving on the greens. He stated that one amateur had hit a putt, and the wind started blowing it back towards the player.
Play must stop at all three courses in a three-course rotation. The PGA Tour was optimistic that play would resume later in the afternoon. However, the wind was strong and the forecast was not encouraging.
The third round was to be played on Sunday morning. Amateurs had the option of returning to play a pro-am, which will consist of 54 holes.
Mitchell was asked if Allen would be among the finishers.
I haven’t spoken to him. But he said that the man was outside practicing in rain and wind this afternoon, when everyone was inside. I cant picture him not showing up. I can assure you that the weather will be better tomorrow morning in Buffalo than it is right now.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron RodgersHe was leading. His partner is Ben SilvermanThey were at 25-under par in Canada. This would indicate Rodgerss amazing golf. He plays off a 10 handicap, and is receiving limited help from Silverman who was 2 over for this tournament.
The 54-hole cut usually is top 60 to account 25 amateurs. The final round will see professionals only, with the top 65 and tied. Young predicts that the lead group will play nine holes.
Pebbles Monday finish will mark the second time that it hasnt been decided on a Sunday. Tiger WoodsIn 2000, he won the title after coming from 5 shots behind. Phil MickelsonTo win in 2019, you had to play two holes Monday morning. Dustin JohnsonIn 2009, 54-hole winner was declared. The final round could not be played Monday.
The wind was expected to blow later in the morning, so the starting times were moved up an hour. However, weather at Pebble is not always predictable.
It arrived approximately three hours after the round had begun, and it was fierce.
Mitchell hit a drive on the par-5 sixth. He had 235 yards uphill and was just 30 yards from the green. The chip 8 iron down the hill at par-3 seventh was next.
Allen hit 6-iron off the Tee, then hit another 6-iron to 12 Feet on the Fringe. Rodgers was 6 shots behind Mitchell and Allen.
Others had to persevere. Jordan SpiethHe figured he would need to be 3-4 under for the first stretch at Pebble. Spieth was hit by wind on the par-3 5th, where he pulled it left into a bunker to make bogey. Spieth finished the front nine with a par and a double bogey for 39, which put him on the cutting line.
Mitchell had the longest stretch of Pebble in wind, but it was difficult all the same. Bramlett, a Stanford college golfer, was 136 yards into the wind on No. 9 and missed the green by 8 irons. With the wind at his back, he was able to play the par-5 14th and had 210 yards to go. He hit 8-iron over it.
Bramlett stated, Its a guessing sport. Were just trying our best.