The Pebble Beach Pro-Am has a long and storied history, dating back to 1937. This tournament has become one of the most eagerly-anticipated events on the PGA Tour calendar, bringing together some of the world’s best golfers and a host of famous faces from popular culture. The event takes place at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Course in California, providing fans with the unique opportunity to see their favorite celebrities tee it up alongside professional golfers.
Since 1986, the Pebble Beach Pro-Am has been sponsored by AT&T and is now organized by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. The tournament has seen significant changes over the years, evolving from a high-profile competition to a PGA Tour Signature Event. This transition has led to an increase in prize money and FedEx Cup points for many of the world’s leading players.
The Pebble Beach Pro-Am features a rotation of courses, with Pebble Beach being a constant fixture and Monterrey Peninsula CC and Poppy Hills taking turns to host. Since 2024, Spyglass Hill has also been included in the rotation. The tournament was initially won by Sam Snead, who took home a $500 prize. In contrast, the current champion receives $3.6 million from a total prize purse of $20 million.
Before becoming a Signature Event in 2024, the Pebble Beach Pro-Am had a format that included 156 professional golfers and the same number of amateurs. Each team featured one PGA Tour player, and the pairs played better ball over three courses through the first three days. Those who made the cut would then return to Pebble Beach on Sunday to contend for the title.
Since 2024, the tournament format has changed to include 80 professional golfers and 80 celebrity amateurs. The pro field is made up of top players from the previous season’s FedEx Cup standings, as well as sponsor exemptions. The duos play better ball over 36 holes at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill, with amateurs receiving handicaps. The pros compete against each other in stroke play for increased prize money and FedEx Cup points.
The amateur competition concludes after Friday’s second round, with a champion team being crowned. The focus then shifts to the professional event, with no cut and all 80 golfers competing for the individual title over four rounds at Pebble Beach. The Pebble Beach Pro-Am continues to be a highlight on the PGA Tour schedule, attracting top players and celebrities alike for a unique and entertaining event.
