AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am 2026 preview, picks & analysis

Rory McIlroy's incredible 2025 really kicked into gear 12 months ago when he won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, now one of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events. 

I still struggle to get my head around a tournament that features amateurs being classed as one of the tour’s most prestigious events, but what do I know?

McIlroy led a European masterclass to win. He finished with a total of 267, 21 under par, three shots ahead of Ireland’s Shane Lowry, with England’s Justin Rose a shot further adrift after a dramatic chip-in for an eagle at the final hole.

McIlroy’s victory threw down the gauntlet to world number one Scottie Scheffler, who was making his first appearance of the season. He effectively told Scheffler that he was not going to have it all his own way in 2025. And although Scheffler would go on to win two majors, McIlroy was the story of the year, finally claiming the coveted Green Jacket at Augusta to secure a long-awaited Career Grand Slam.

The Northern Irishman began the final round trailing Austria’s Sepp Straka by a shot but wasted no time in overtaking his fellow Ryder Cup player.

The win, which was McIlroy’s 27th on the PGA Tour, meant a great deal.

He said: "I knew today was going to be tough and exciting because there were so many guys around the lead. I had to put the to the back of my mind to try to shoot a score, which I was able to do. To have that walk up the 18th and take it all in was really cool. My eagle at the 14th really helped. And it was so good to see Shane finish second. I haven’t played well here in the past so this means a lot."

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

McIlroy is back to defend his crown this week against what will be the strongest field of the year so far. It includes Scheffler, who has made his usual winning start to the campaign, Tommy Fleetwood, who has been slow out the starting blocks, and Ludvig Aberg, who had a nightmare time at the Farmers Insurance Open after withdrawing from the previous week’s American Express Championship with illness.

It is to be hoped that the Swede was still suffering from the after-effects of his illness at Torrey Pines. He has built his early reputation on an enviable consistency but is clearly misfiring.

Speaking of consistency, nobody made more birdies in 2025 than England’s Harry Hall. He made 25 starts last year, making 22 cuts, with five top 10s and an extraordinary 15 top 25s. He plays tough golf courses really well and finds a lot of fairways. The two courses in play this week after made for his game. He still only has one PGA Tour win to his name, and I expect him to add to that total this year.

This time last year, few golf fans had heard of Chris Gotterup. That all changed when he won the Scottish Open in sensational fashion and then finished third at The Open. He could count himself unfortunate to miss out on Ryder Cup selection. 

Gotterup then proved it was no flash in the pan by winning the Sony Open with a 16-under-par total of 264. Lo and behold, he then went and took advantage of Hideki Matsuyama’s late collapse to win the WM Phoenix Open and extend his lead at the top of the FedEx Cup standings. This time last year he was ranked 203rd in the world. He is now in the top 10 and is only going one way.

Rose also returns to the scene of a tournament that marked the start of his remarkable renaissance. 

He had tumbled down the world rankings but gave a terrific account of himself here. He would then go on to lose The Masters to McIlroy in a playoff. He finished sixth at The Open and then won the FedEx St Jude, starred for Europe in the Ryder Cup and ended the campaign back in the top 10 in the world rankings. 

He was widely tipped to succeed Luke Donald as Ryder Cup captain but Rose is having none of it, believing he will still be playing for the team at Adare Manor in 2027. And it would be a brave man who would bet against him achieving precisely that.

Tournament Winners:

It was won in 2016 by Vaughn Taylor, in 2017 by Jordan Spieth, in 2018 by Ted Potter, in 2019 by Phil Mickelson, in 2020 by Nick Taylor, in 2021 by Daniel Berger, in 2022 by Tom Hoge, in 2023 by Justin Rose, in 2024 by Wyndham Clark and last year by Rory McIlroy.

The Courses:

Pebble Beach is an iconic layout that measures a little over 6,800 yards and is a par 72. It features a series of stunning holes at which the Pacific Ocean comes into play. The 18th hole is one of the most famous in the game. Spyglass Hill is also a par 72, measuring just over 7,000 yards.

Form Guide:

All eyes will be on Scottie Scheffler once again. Defending champion Rory McIlroy has made a slow start to the season but will return here with plenty of positive memories. However, I have a feeling that Chris Gotterup could be winning his third title of 2026.

Prize Money:

The total prize fund is $20m, with $3.6m going to the winner along with 700 FedEx Cup points (regular events award 500 points).

How to Watch:

Thursday, February 12, Friday, February 13, 4.45pm, Sky Sports Golf; Saturday, February 14, 4.30pm, Sky Sports Golf; Sunday, February 15, Sky Sports Golf, 4pm.

To Win:

Chris Gotterup. What a difference a year makes

Each Way:

Scottie Scheffler. Looking to carry on where he left off

Each Way:

Rory McIlroy. Defending champion

Five to Follow:

Chris Gotterup. Possibly the most improved golfer on the planet

Scottie Scheffler. Here we go again

Rory McIlroy. A big crowd favourite

Justin Rose. An ageless winner

Harry Hall. Makes birdies for fun