Jordan Spieth won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in 2017 and finished runner-up last year.
This week’s PGA Tour stop combines one of the most iconic golf courses along with a star-studded field, which includes some of the top golfers in the world and, well, stars.
The 2023 edition of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am tees off Thursday as part of the Tour’s West Coast swing with a full field of pros and amateur/celebrity players.
The four-day, 72-hole event is played over three courses – Spyglass Hill, Monterey Peninsula’s Short Course and famed Pebble Beach – with the traditional stroke-play format between the PGA players and a best-ball format with each pro and his amateur partner.
Tom Hoge won last year’s event by shooting a four-round total of 19-under par, two strokes ahead of Jordan Spieth. Hoge came out of the gates firing a 9-under first-round score on the Pebble Beach course.
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Hoge will look to defend his title this week and his odds of repeating are 22-1, according to DraftKings.
FrontPageBets takes a look at some best bets for this weekend on the Monterey Peninsula.
(All odds courtesy of DraftKings and are subject to change)
The favorite: Matt Fitzpatrick (+1100)
Matt Fitzpatrick, the defending U.S. Open champion, is the highest-ranked golfer in the field, sitting at No. 10 in the World Golf Rankings.
Fitzpatrick finished tied for sixth at Pebble Beach last year and tied for 12th there in the 2019 U.S. Open.
His best finish so far this season was a T-7 at the Sentry Tournament of Champions in early January in Hawaii.
Pick to win: Viktor Hovland (+1200)
Viktor Hovland, ranked No. 11 in the world, tied for 12th in the 2019 U.S. Open held at Pebble Beach and had a top-40 finish in 2020 at the Pro-Am event.
He hasn’t finished lower than 21st in any of his first four Tour events this season.
Top 5 pick: Seamus Power (+500)
In last year’s tournament, Seamus Power (ranked 28th in the world) led by five after 36 holes, starting off with back-to-back 64s. He finished the tournament shooting 3-over the last two days and tied for ninth.
Power has three top-five finishes this season, including winning the Butterfield Bermuda Championship at the end of October. He’s currently fifth in the FedEx Cup standings.
Top 10 pick: Jordan Spieth +175
Spieth won at Pebble Beach in 2017 and has finished in the top 10 there the past three seasons, including runner-up last year.
The three-time major champion and 13-time PGA Tour winner is currently ranked 16th in the world.
Top-10 golfers’ odds to win at Pebble Beach
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These are the finalists for NFL MVP and other top awards
MVP finalist: Jalen Hurts
Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts had 3,701 yards passing, 760 yards rushing and 35 touchdowns combined, leading the Philadelphia Eagles to a 14-3 record in the regular season and the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Eagles (15-3) are in the NFC championship game for the second time in six seasons.
Hurts also is finalist for Offensive Player of the Year.
MVP finalist: Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, the 2018 NFL MVP, helped Kansas City go 14-3 to earn the No. 1 seed in the AFC. The Chiefs (15-3) are in the AFC title game for the fifth straight season. They’ll host the Bengals. Mahomes led the NFL with 5,250 yards passing and 41 TDs. He received 49 of 50 votes for AP first-team All-Pro.
Mahomes also is finalist for Offensive Player of the Year.
MVP finalist: Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson led the NFL with 128 catches and 1,809 yards receiving in his third season with the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson was one of two unanimous choices for AP All-Pro along with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.
Jefferson also is finalist for Offensive Player of the Year.
MVP finalist: Joe Burrow
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) passes against the Buffalo Bills during the third quarter of an NFL division round football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y.
MVP finalist: Josh Allen
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) reacts after a play against the Cincinnati Bengals during the fourth quarter of an NFL division round football game, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y.
Defensive Player of the Year finalist: Nick Bosa
San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa led the NFL with 18 1/2 sacks, Jones had 15 1/2 and Parsons got 14 1/2.
Defensive Player of the Year finalist: Chris Jones
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) hits Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during an NFL football game Jan. 1, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo.
Defensive Player of the Year finalist: Micah Parsons
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) gestures to fans after the team’s NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 9, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif.
Coach of the Year finalist: Brian Daboll
New York Giants coach Brian Daboll led the team to a 9-7-1 record in his first season as head coach.
Coach of the Year finalist: Doug Pederson
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Pederson guided the team to a 9-8 record and an AFC South title in his first year with the team.
Coach of the Year finalist: Kyle Shanahan
Coach Kyle Shanahan led the San Francisco 49ers to a 13-4 mark, including 5-0 down the stretch with third-string rookie quarterback Brock Purdy.
Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist: Brock Purdy
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13), the last player selected in the draft, began the season as third-string QB and stepped in after injuries to Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. He led San Francisco to a 5-0 record down the stretch, two playoff wins and an appearance in the NFC championship game at Philadelphia.
Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist: Kenneth Walker III
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) led all rookies with 1,050 yards rushing and nine TDs.
Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist: Garrett Wilson
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (17) led all rookies with 83 catches and 1,103 yards receiving.
Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist: Sauce Gardner
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner celebrates a stop against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game Jan. 1, 2023, in Seattle.
Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist: Aidan Hutchinson
Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson (97) runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings in Detroit, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022.
Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist: Tariq Woolen
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen (27) celebrates after intercepting a Los Angeles Rams pass during the first half of an NFL football game Dec. 4, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif.
Comeback Player of the Year finalist: Saquon Barkley
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Comeback Player of the Year finalist: Christian McCaffrey
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Jan. 14, 2023.
Comeback Player of the Year finalist: Geno Smith
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) runs with the ball during the first half of the team’s NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Jan. 8, 2023, in Seattle.
Assistant Coach of the Year finalist: Ben Johnson
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, in Charlotte, N.C.
Assistant Coach of the Year finalist: DeMeco Ryans
San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans celebrate on the sideline during the team’s NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Dec. 24, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif.
Assistant Coach of the Year finalist: Shane Steichen
Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive coordinator Shane Steichen walks to the field before an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Philadelphia.
The winners …
The winners will be announced at NFL Honors on Feb. 9. A nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the league completed voting before the start of the playoffs.
This was the first year for the AP’s new voting system. Voters chose a top 5 for MVP and top 3 for all other awards. For MVP, first-place were worth 10 points. Second through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points.
For all the other awards, first-place votes equaled 5 points, second were 3 and third were 1.
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Mike Szvetitz is the General Manager and Content Director for FrontPageBets.com. Szvetitz is a 22-year veteran reporter and editor, including serving 17 years as a sports editor in Florida, Alabama and Virginia, covering everything from preps to pros. His “View From The Lazy Boy” column won multiple state and national awards. He can be reached at mszvetitz@timesdispatch.com.
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