For all of the charms that are part of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am – the golf courses, the camaraderie, the history – it’s not a tournament for everyone.
The weather – this year being a perfect example – can be dicey, the rounds are long and the distractions are plentiful, but for some, it’s a week to cherish.
Count England’s Justin Rose among those who enjoy all that a week on the Monterey Peninsula includes, having picked up his 11th PGA Tour victory Monday with a three-stroke win over Americans Brendon Todd and Brandon Wu.
“That’s the beauty of this tournament. You should only come and tee up if you’re willing to kind of have that attitude this week,” Rose said after his weather-delayed victory.
“Obviously, there is a lot going on. There’s amateurs; there’s the odd bounce on the greens or bobbly putts or forecast that doesn't make sense. There’s a lot that can be thrown at you, but it’s a wonderful tournament, and I hope this tournament still continues to go from strength to strength because it offers something different than the rest of the schedule."
Though the field was short on top-ranked players, Rose provided a flashback to the form that has made him one of the most consistent players of his generation, including a 13-week run at No. 1 in the world in 2018-19.
Rose had not won since the 2019 Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, working through a period with multiple equipment changes. Two encouraging starts this year sent Rose into Pebble Beach sensing a breakthrough was coming.
Holding a two-stroke lead when the final round restarted Monday morning, Rose separated himself with three birdies in a four-hole stretch starting at the par-4 11th, giving himself a comfortable lead coming in.
“If I had to think about one thing it was just knowing I'm trending, just sometimes when you're trending you kind of try a little too hard. I think the format this week, playing with amateurs, kind of just mellowed me out to the point where I let it happen. I let my good golf come forward. It's obviously a learning lesson in that,” Rose said.
“One thing I have realized is obviously I haven't been playing enough great golf, but when I do play half decent I do give myself chances to win.”
Ron Green Jr.