PGA Tour Shortens AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am to 54 Holes Due to Storm
The prestigious AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a signature event on the PGA Tour, has been shortened to 54 holes due to a severe storm that hit the Pebble Beach area. This is the first time since 2016 that an event has been shortened on the tour, highlighting the severity of the weather conditions.
Sunday’s play was canceled as the storm brought heavy rain and winds gusting up to 60 mph. With the forecast predicting continued rain and wind through Monday morning, officials made the decision to shorten the event. Players were informed of the change just past 6 p.m. PT.
“The storm affecting the Monterey Peninsula throughout the day Sunday is forecast to continue into the early hours of Monday with very strong winds,” stated the Tour. “Although conditions are forecast to improve through the morning Monday, after consultation with Monterey County emergency authorities, who have implemented a Shelter in Place order until early tomorrow morning for the greater Pebble Beach community, and out of an abundance of caution for the safety of all constituents, there will be no play on Monday.”
Wyndham Clark emerged as the winner of the weather-shortened event, finishing one shot ahead of Ludvig Åberg. Clark had surged up the leaderboard on Saturday with an impressive 12-under 60. This victory marks his third on the Tour and his first since last year’s U.S. Open.
The last time an event was shortened to 54 holes was in 2016 at the Zurich Classic. According to Tour regulations, officials can only begin a round on Monday if there is sufficient time to complete it. The final round needed to start by 10:15 a.m., but due to the storm’s disruption of travel and power outages in the area, it was not feasible.
Clark’s performance in the third round was exceptional, considering he began six shots off the lead. He took advantage of the soft Pebble Beach course, recording two eagles, nine birdies, and just a single bogey. However, the uncertainty surrounding the event’s length affected his mindset.
“As far as sitting on the lead, it was very difficult if I’m going to be honest because most tournaments, if I shot what I shot and had a one-shot lead going into a normal Sunday where you 100 percent know you’re going to play, your mindset is different,” Clark admitted. “But because there was that small ounce of thinking that, hey, there’s a chance this might be called, my mind started wandering and it was so hard for me to not think about it, that there’s a chance that it could be canceled.”
While the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am has had Monday finishes in three of the last six years, this is the first time since 2009 that it has been reduced to 54 holes. The storm’s impact on the tournament is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of outdoor sports and the importance of prioritizing safety for all involved.