The 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is shaping up to be one of the most consequential stops on the PGA Tour calendar. As the first Signature Event of the 2026 season, it brings together a distilled field of 80 elite professionals and 80 amateurs for a high-stakes showdown on two of the world’s most iconic courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill.
With a staggering $20 million purse and no 36-hole cut, the tournament has evolved from its humble "Crosby Clambake" roots into a powerhouse event that dictates the early-season momentum of the FedExCup. Here is a deep dive into the field, the storylines, and the defending champion’s quest for history.
The Return of the King: Rory McIlroy’s Title Defense
The primary headline entering the week is the return of Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman arrives at the Monterey Peninsula not just as the defending champion, but as a man coming off a career-defining 2025. A year ago, McIlroy utilized Pebble Beach as a springboard for a season that saw him capture The Players Championship, the Masters, and his fourth consecutive Race to Dubai title.
McIlroy’s victory in 2025 was a masterclass in coastal golf. His tournament was highlighted by a stunning hole-in-one on the par-3 15th at Spyglass Hill during the opening round, followed by a clinical, bogey-free 65 on Saturday. He eventually fended off a final-round charge from Ryder Cup teammate Shane Lowry to secure a two-shot victory. As he makes his first PGA Tour start of 2026 this week, the golf world is watching to see if Pebble Beach will once again serve as the catalyst for a dominant year.
The Heavyweights: Scheffler, Schauffele, and the Top 10
While McIlroy holds the trophy, Scottie Scheffler remains the man to beat. The World No. 1 enters the week as the prohibitive betting favorite. Despite his historic consistency, Scheffler has yet to win at Pebble Beach—a rare omission on a resume that includes nearly every other significant trophy in the game.
The field is further bolstered by 41 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Xander Schauffele, fresh off his first starts of the 2026 season, joins other top-10 stalwarts like Tommy Fleetwood, Russell Henley, and Robert MacIntyre.
One of the more intriguing inclusions is JJ Spaun. Despite withdrawing from the WM Phoenix Open amidst swirling social media rumors regarding a potential move to LIV Golf, Spaun is officially in the field, signaling his continued commitment to the PGA Tour’s Signature Event structure.
The Hot Hand: Chris Gotterup’s Meteoric Rise
If anyone has the momentum to topple the world’s top two, it is Chris Gotterup. The young American has enjoyed a sensational start to 2026, winning two of his first three starts of the year. His most recent victory came just days ago in a dramatic playoff against Hideki Matsuyama at the WM Phoenix Open.
The win propelled Gotterup to a career-high No. 5 in the world rankings. Known for his immense power off the tee, Gotterup’s game will be tested by the precision required at Spyglass Hill and the coastal winds of Pebble Beach, but his current form makes him the "wild card" that every betting model is favoring.
Former Champions and Seeking Redemption
The Monterey Peninsula has a way of rewarding those who understand its unique rhythms. Several former champions are in the field looking to recapture that magic:
- Justin Rose: The 2023 winner is coming off a victory at the Farmers Insurance Open just two weeks ago. His comfort in California coastal conditions makes him a perennial threat.
- Wyndham Clark: The 2024 champion, whose victory was famously shortened to 54 holes due to weather, is still searching for his first win since that title.
- Jordan Spieth: The 2017 champion remains one of the most popular figures in the field. However, Spieth is currently mired in a winless drought dating back to the 2022 RBC Heritage. Pebble Beach, with its small greens that reward creative short games, is arguably his best chance to break back into the winner's circle.
- Nick Taylor & Daniel Berger: Both former winners (2020 and 2021, respectively) bring veteran experience to a field that is increasingly dominated by younger "bombers."
The Aon Swing 5 and New Faces
Under the PGA Tour’s current eligibility rules, the Signature Events allow for "hot" players to earn their way into the elite fields via the Aon Swing 5. For the 2026 Pebble Beach Pro-Am, this group includes Pierceson Coody, Ryo Hisatsune, Jake Knapp, Matt McCarty, and Patrick Rodgers. These players represent the "meritocracy" of the new Tour schedule, having played their way into a $20 million event through high-quality performance in the season's opening weeks.
Notable Absences and the LIV Factor
While the field is "loaded," one name is conspicuously absent: Brooks Koepka. Having rejoined the PGA Tour from LIV Golf via the Returning Member Program, Koepka faced a steep uphill battle to qualify for Signature Events. Despite a strong showing at the Farmers Insurance Open, he ultimately did not earn enough points to secure a spot in the 80-man field at Pebble.
The Format: Tradition Meets the Modern Era
The 2026 iteration maintains the unique Pro-Am format for the first two rounds. Professionals will rotate between Pebble Beach Golf Links and Spyglass Hill, paired with amateurs that often include some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment (with luminaries like Tom Brady and Larry Fitzgerald frequently appearing in past years).
However, the "new" Pebble Beach is more focused on the professional competition than ever before. Once the field completes the first 36 holes, the amateurs depart, and the final two rounds are contested exclusively at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Because there is no cut, fans are guaranteed to see McIlroy, Scheffler, and the rest of the stars for all four days, ensuring the $20 million purse is contested by the full weight of the field.
Don’t Miss Out!
As the PGA Tour descends upon the Monterey Peninsula, the stakes couldn't be higher. Between Rory McIlroy’s quest for a repeat, Scottie Scheffler’s pursuit of a missing trophy, and Chris Gotterup’s attempt at a "three-peat" for the season, the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is more than just a scenic tournament—it is a defining moment for the sport. With $3.6 million going to the winner and the eyes of the golf world fixed on the 18th green at Pebble, the stage is set for a historic week.
