The greens are calling, but who will answer? The PGA TOUR season is igniting with its first Signature Event, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and the stakes are as high as the coastal cliffs! This isn't just any tournament; it's a breathtaking showcase of talent against one of golf's most iconic backdrops. Get ready for a thrilling spectacle as Rory McIlroy returns to defend his hard-won title, facing an elite field packed with the game's brightest stars.
Who's vying for the coveted trophy? This year's competition features an 80-player roster comprising golfers who dominated last season's FedExCup standings and those who have already made a significant splash in the early part of the 2026 season. Among the formidable contenders looking to dethrone McIlroy on the Monterey Peninsula are world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who is on an incredible streak with his 17th consecutive top-10 finish, and the duo who battled it out in a dramatic playoff at the WM Phoenix Open just days ago: Chris Gotterup and Hideki Matsuyama.
While the exact tee times will be unveiled on Tuesday, February 10th, we've got an early peek at some of the most anticipated pairings for this prestigious event. You can catch all the action on PGA TOUR LIVE and Golf Channel coverage throughout the first two days, as the players navigate the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links and the challenging Spyglass Hill Golf Course.
The Reigning Champion and a Rising Star:
- Rory McIlroy and Ryan Fox: McIlroy's victory here last year marked the first of three major wins in the spring of 2025, setting him up for further triumphs at TPC Sawgrass and Augusta National. After kicking off the new year with two starts on the DP World Tour, the Northern Irishman is back to defend his title in his first TOUR start since the FedExCup finale at East Lake. He'll be paired with Ryan Fox, a powerhouse from New Zealand who enjoyed a career-defining 2025 season with his first two TOUR wins. Fox, known for his prodigious drives, finished T24 last week at TPC Scottsdale and is making his Pebble Beach debut.
A Tale of Near Misses and Determination:
- Scottie Scheffler and Hideki Matsuyama: Both of these incredible golfers left TPC Scottsdale with a sense of what could have been. Scheffler narrowly missed a playoff by a single stroke, despite calling his opening round an "awful" performance. Matsuyama, on the other hand, couldn't convert a one-shot lead on the 72nd hole and ultimately fell in a sudden-death playoff. Scheffler has consistently found his way into the top 10 in his previous two appearances at Pebble Beach, including a T9 finish last year after returning from a hand injury. Matsuyama will be aiming to get his driver dialed in, hoping to continue his strong start to the year with a fourth consecutive top-15 finish.
The Hottest Player and a Course Record Holder:
- Chris Gotterup and Wyndham Clark: While Scheffler's consistency is remarkable, Gotterup might be the hottest player on TOUR right now. His victory at the WM Phoenix Open was his second of the year, achieved just three weeks after his triumph at the Sony Open in Hawaii. He's now making his Pebble Beach debut as the world's No. 5-ranked player. Joining him for the opening rounds is Wyndham Clark, who captured this event in a weather-shortened 2024 edition, famously carding a course-record 60 in the third round at Pebble Beach.
Major Champions Seeking Early Momentum:
- Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth: With a combined five major titles between them, both Schauffele and Spieth are eager to gain early momentum as the 2026 season unfolds. Schauffele managed to avoid two consecutive missed cuts for the first time since 2018, making a strong rebound to play the weekend at TPC Scottsdale. Spieth, unfortunately, wasn't as fortunate. Spieth, who won this event in 2017 and was the runner-up in 2022, will be looking to recapture that magic. Schauffele's best performance in two prior trips to Pebble Beach was a T54 finish in 2024.
How to Follow All the Action (All Times ET):
Special Programming Alerts:
- Monday:
- "The Drop," 7 p.m., Golf Channel
- TGL Match 8: The Bay vs. Los Angeles Golf Club, 7 p.m., ESPN2
- Wednesday: "On the Range," 5-6:30 p.m., Golf Channel
Television Coverage:
- Thursday-Friday: 3-7 p.m., Golf Channel
- Saturday: 1-3 p.m., Golf Channel; 3-7 p.m., CBS
- Sunday: 1-3 p.m., Golf Channel; 3-6:30 p.m., CBS
PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+:
- Thursday-Friday: 11:45 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Saturday: 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Sunday: 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m.
PGA TOUR LIVE offers an immersive viewing experience with four distinct streams exclusively on ESPN+:
- Main Feed (Stream 1): The primary coverage, bringing you the most exciting moments from across the entire course.
- Marquee Group (Stream 2): A new feature showcasing every single shot from a select group of top players.
- Featured Groups (Stream 3): Traditional PGA TOUR LIVE coverage focusing on two concurrent featured groups.
- Featured Holes (Stream 4): A curated selection of par 3s and pivotal, iconic holes.
Additional Featured Group Coverage on PGA TOUR LIVE:
- Thursday-Friday: 1-7 p.m.
- Saturday: 2-7 p.m.
- Sunday: 1-6:30 p.m.
But here's where it gets interesting... Is Scottie Scheffler's consistent top-10 streak a sign of inevitable dominance, or is it a testament to his ability to grind out results even when not at his absolute best? And what about Chris Gotterup's rapid ascent – can he maintain this scorching form on one of golf's most challenging stages? The pressure of Pebble Beach is immense, and history is often rewritten here. What do you think? Who is your pick to win it all, and why? Let us know in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take!
