While it’s still a year away, preparations for the 2027 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links are underway. And that includes some changes to the iconic 18th hole.
In late April, a second cypress tree was planted in the fairway restoring the hole to its original design intent and reinstating the signature look golf fans had come to know until the original was lost in a 2014 storm.
The new tree is 30 yards nearer the green than the tree behind it and sits in the exact location of its predecessor. The tree was transplanted from the 17th at Pebble’s sister course, Spyglass Hill.
Adam Schupak, managing editor of NCGA Golf Magazine and a senior writer for Golfweek, noted that USGA Chief Competitions Officer John Bodenhamer said he supported the move when Pebble Beach Co. proposed the idea, and considers it consistent with what Pebble has been doing in recent years, including the changes to the green complexes at Nos. 10, which expanded the putting surface back to its original size and design intent, and 12, where they took the bunker down, and restoring the size of the 17th green.
“We view it as a positive,” Bodenhamer told Schupak, “and it’s what Pebble had been for many, many years and it will be restored.”
How much will the tree impact the way the hole is played? That could depend on Mother Nature. “It’s probably not as in play as it used to be mainly because of hitting distances," Bodenhamer said, "but there will be players that during the thought process (of choosing a club), they will have to consider it.”
NCGA members take note: Pre-sale tickets for the 127th U.S. Open at Pebble Beach (June 17-20, 2027) will be available to NCGA members exclusively beginning this June. Stay tuned for more info coming soon!
