AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

With the possible (and much argued) exception of Augusta National, there is no more desirable golfing venue in the USA than the host course for this week's PGA Tour event. Few golfers in the world have not ogled at the splendour of Pebble Beach Golf Links, with the enticing additive being that anyone with a handicap can theoretically play there; for the right price of course. For this week however it is the domain of the professionals and celebrities, as it takes its annual housing of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.Two other courses are involved in the tournament, namely Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills, but the climax will be at the title course. As with many great seaside courses, it is the weather which provides the sternest defence on the 6816-yard layout, and the power of the elements have been made starkly clear over the last month. For on the 13th January, a chunk of the infamous closing par five tumbled into the Pacific Ocean. Occurring as it did exactly 290 yards from the tee on the risk/reward dogleg (in other words right in the landing zone of the professional players), some are suggesting divine intervention, and this is not the first time such theories have been expressed over this particular piece of enchanted coastline.A PGA player never forgets his first tournament, and despite missing the cut on that occasion at this tournament back in 1986, Tom Pernice Jnr will still get nostalgic when driving along the famous eight mile road of the Monterey Peninsular to Pebble Beach this week.The 45 year old is now amidst the older portion of players on the Tour, but his form of late suggests that he remains very able to mix with anyone out there pitting their skills against him. Eight of nine rounds coming into this week have been in the 60's, and have added up to finishes of 11th at the FBR Open last week, and 14th at the Bob Hope the week previous.In conjunction with this, Pernice can also take heart from the fact that the cut has been successfully negotiated in each of the last four stagings of this event, with 15th in 2003 being bettered by a 7th place finish twelve months ago. His best result however actually came in 1998, when coming 2nd.As a graduate of UCLA, and California resident, these are surroundings in which the two time Tour winner should be very comfortable, and the unseasonably dry weather should mean that his relative shortness from the tee will not be a disadvantage. 80/1 can be found.Some way further down the list is Brian Davis, and at a huge offering of 175/1 we feel an each way bet is far from a waste of money. Davis is one of a whole gaggle of young European, and more specifically English, players to have made the United States their home for the first section of the 2005 season. Unlike some of the other however, Davis had to go about acquiring his tournament exemptions the hard way, by visiting the Tour Qualifying School in December.Gaining a full card for the most competitive Tour on the planet is a notable achievement in any circumstances, but winning the event as Davis did is a massive triumph. Understandably this has allowed the 30 year old began the season in high spirits, and came 30th at the Buick Invitational and then with rounds of 68, 66, 69, 68 and 69 finished 14th at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.Both of these were events at which he was playing for the first time, as will be the case this week. The effort at Tour School must give him the belief that he can truly compete on American soil, as must his 13th place from the US PGA Championship last term. Two titles have gone his way in Europe, and to gain one in America would be monumental, but at this huge price, a small each way bet is worthwhile in our opinion.The two clear favourites this week are the world number one Vijay Singh, and the winner from last week Phil Mickelson. Both also happen to have their names on the winners' board for this event with Singh's victory coming last year. However, only Paul Azinger has returned the year after winning to post a top ten place which puts us off about 5/1, whilst 7/1 for Mickelson is too short when regarding most of his golf over the past six months.Everybody else in the field is priced at 22/1 or longer. Nine of the last ten champions have either been, of have gone onto become Major winners, giving an indication that class tends to shine through at Pebble Beach.Tim Clark may not have won a Major as yet, but in the eyes of many he is best remembered for coming very close to doing so at the 2003 US PGA Championship. The South African eventually finished third, but his display earned him a place in the Presidents Cup team, and to remember him only for this near miss neglects to acknowledge a genuine and proven ability.2005 promises to be a break through year for the 29 year old, especially if his early season form continues. In two European Tour starts he has come 11th at the Dunhill Championship, and then won the South Africa Open at his beloved Durban Country Club in January. Many put this down simply to his local knowledge, but the following week he was teeing up his ball at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, his first American start of the campaign. He proceeded to finish second, and a good rest since then should mean that he arrives at Pebble Beach in fine shape.His last appearance here saw 10th place claimed in 2003, and this all conspires to make a best price of 33/1 hold plenty of appeal.