Monterey, California, January 22, 2019 – One player who hits it crazy-long with a crazy-fast swing, plus another player whose swing looks just plain crazy will add a fresh fun flavor to lineup of star attractions at the 2019 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the original and longest-running celebrity event on the PGA TOUR, Feb. 4-10 at three of the Monterey Peninsula’s world-class golf courses.
Certain to draw attention is the golf world’s newest long-ball phenom, Cameron Champ, who led the web.com Tour with a driving distance average of 343.1 yards, and internet sensation Ho Sung Choi, whose flamboyant, body-contorting swing is closer to a jump shot than a chip shot.
Champ, a 23-year-old tour rookie from Sacramento, led the PGA Tour during the 2018 fall events at 328.2 yards. He has reached a clubhead speed average of 130.20 mph, faster than any recorded on the PGA Tour last season. Also proving he is not only long, but good, Champ captured his first career win on tour in only his second start.
While this will be Champ’s first appearance in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, he has competed in a tour event on the Monterey Peninsula before – as a junior amateur in the 2012 PURE Insurance Championship, finishing tied for second with pro partner Steve Pate.
Choi, 45, from South Korea, is making his PGA Tour debut courtesy of a sponsor’s exemption. His wonderfully weird technique – known as “The Fisherman’s Swing” – not only has captured a social media audience of 500,000 and counting, but is effective enough for him to win twice on the Japan Tour, including the Casino Open in November.
The two tournament newcomers are part of a star-studded lineup of tour golf professionals, sports and entertainment personalities in the 2019 tournament. Two-time AT&T Pro-Am winner Dustin Johnson, the No. 3 ranked player in the world, will be joined by No. 10-ranked Tony Finau, along with popular Americans Jordan Spieth, Matt Kuchar and four-time tournament champion Phil Mickelson.
A solid group of international players is set, including widely the popular Tommy Fleetwood of England, No. 14 in the world rankings, plus Jason Day and Adam Scott of Australia.
One of the most exciting events on the PGA Tour, the AT&T Pro-Am is played at Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course for three rounds, Thursday through Saturday, with Sunday’s final round at Pebble Beach.
Prior to tournament play, special events include the Chevron Shoot-Out on Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the practice green across from The Lodge; the 3M Celebrity Challenge on Wednesday at 11 a.m., a five-hole exhibition on holes 1, 2, 3, 17, 18 at Pebble Beach; and The Million Dollar Hole-in-One for Charity presented by Facebook on Wednesday, 2:30 p.m., on 17th hole at Pebble Beach.
Several new venues are in place for spectators to enjoy the festivities and competition, including the debut of the vineyard vines club, overlooking the 10th Green at Pebble Beach, and the newly expanded Triangle Plaza location (above holes six through eight) for The View presented by Grey Goose, while Clint’s Saloon will hold down its position above the dogleg on the third fairway at Pebble Beach.
One of the most exciting events on the PGA TOUR, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is hosted by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation, which donated $13.2 million to support local nonprofits in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties during the 2017-2018 fiscal year.
Daily tickets and special hospitality suite tickets are available at www.attpbgolf.com..
About Monterey Peninsula Foundation
Monterey Peninsula Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that donates funds from the proceeds of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR and the PURE Insurance Championship Impacting The First Tee, a PGA TOUR Champions tournament. The Foundation focuses on improving the quality of life in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties.
www.montereypeninsulafoundation.org
www.attpbgolf.com
www.pureinsurancechampionship.org