This Week on Tour and What Happened in Phoenix
Chris Gotterup is on fire.
He delivered one of the most dramatic finishes of the young season at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, securing his second win in three starts this year. After trailing for much of the final round, Gotterup played his final six holes in 5-under, finishing at 16-under and forcing a sudden-death playoff with Hideki Matsuyama at TPC Scottsdale. On the first extra hole, Matsuyama pulled his tee shot into the water, and Gotterup rolled in a long birdie putt to secure the win.
It marked his fourth career Tour title and continued a breakout run that has vaulted him into elite company on the PGA Tour, and it is only February.
The leaderboard was packed with notable performances, and the par-3 16th was more electric than usual. Scottie Scheffler, despite an uncharacteristic stumble early in the week, rebounded with a Sunday 64 to finish tied for third, one shot out of the playoff. Si Woo Kim also finished T3, again flirting with a win and pacing the field with sharp iron play and steady putting. Kim has now placed in the Top 10 in three of four events in 2026.
Scheffler’s Phoenix showing reminded everyone that even when he starts slow, his short game and patience pull him back into contention. That dynamic will matter this week on Pebble’s small seaside greens. Rory McIlroy returns to the States to defend his 2025 Pebble Beach title.
The Setup at Pebble Beach: Tournament Stakes, Field, and Storylines
The Tour heads to California for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, February 12–15, where 80 PGA pros will tee it up alongside 80 amateurs in this Signature Event. Pebble Beach on the Monterey Peninsula remains one of the most iconic venues in golf, making it a fitting site for the first limited-field Signature Event of 2026.
This will be a no-cut event, with $20 million on the line and $3.6 million to the winner.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy returns after a winter schedule abroad, aiming to begin his stateside season where he left off last year en route to multiple late-season titles. His presence immediately boosts the star power.
Joining McIlroy and the red-hot Gotterup is Scottie Scheffler, poised to chase his second win of 2026. Also in the field are Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, and Russell Henley, all of whom thrive on firm, small greens that reward precision over pure length.
The Course: What It Demands and What It Punishes
Pebble Beach Golf Links is one of the most recognized courses in the world, alongside venues like Augusta and Kapalua. It plays just over 7,000 yards with the addition of a new tee box, short by modern standards but demanding when the wind and coastal conditions take over.
Precision off the tee and proximity with irons are critical, especially when weather becomes a factor. Firm Poa annua greens place a premium on confident putting and smart course management, particularly along the cliffs where mistakes can compound quickly.
The Pro-Am rotation includes Spyglass Hill, a testing inland layout that rewards strong ball-striking and strategic tee shots, before the field consolidates at Pebble Beach for the weekend. With no cut, players can take calculated risks early, but discipline will be required late to contend.
Who Fits Here: Player Archetypes and Names to Know
Pebble Beach favors accuracy and iron precision, along with players comfortable managing wind and reading Poa annua surfaces. Veterans with links experience and strategic savvy, think McIlroy, Rose, and Henley, are right at home here.
Younger players showing early-season confidence, like Gotterup and Kim, can thrive if they keep the ball in play and capitalize on birdie chances.
Of course, Scheffler fits the “can win anywhere” mold. Even when his short game is not perfect, his iron play and scrambling ability anchor his scoring. Si Woo Kim, with a strong approach profile, can surge into contention with a low weekend, particularly if the putter stays warm.
Betting Board: Odds, Angles, and Smart Plays
At FanDuel this morning, Scottie Scheffler sits atop the odds board at +300, followed by Rory McIlroy at +1300. Kim, Schauffele, Fleetwood, and Rose are listed at +2500. Gotterup at +3000 is longer than expected given his early-season form, but this is the first Signature Event of the year, with 700 FedEx Cup points at stake.
McIlroy’s limited early-season play keeps his number reasonable despite his defending status.
One-and-Done / Season-Long Strategy
For One-and-Done leagues, Pebble offers the rare chance to deploy premium assets without the risk of a cut. Using a top-five favorite is defensible.
If you are looking to differentiate, Russell Henley, Akshay Bhatia, or Michael Thorbjornsen are intriguing alternatives. All have shown strong ball-striking form recently and could capitalize if conditions remain manageable over the weekend.
What I’m Watching When the First Tee Shot Flies
Wind and pin locations: Pebble’s seaside finish means afternoon wind shifts can flip the leaderboard quickly.
Gotterup’s tee-to-green game: If he finds rhythm again, another low weekend is realistic.
McIlroy’s early rhythm: Does he look sharp immediately, or does it take until Saturday to find his groove?
The Wrap
From playoff drama in Phoenix to the coastal chess match at Pebble, the Tour shifts gears quickly. This week will help shape early-season narratives. Can Scheffler reassert control? Does Gotterup stay hot? Can McIlroy defend on U.S. soil?
We begin finding out Thursday.
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