Weather Gives Players a Lift (and Clean) at Pebble Beach

What is wetter than the back of a seal out in Monterey Bay and as soft as the chocolate mousse in one of those cute restaurants in Carmel-by-the-Sea?

Why, it’s these golf courses, the ones that will be played beginning today in the AT&T; Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Once again, it probably shouldn’t be tried without scuba gear.

After heavy rain hit Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, all three courses were closed in the afternoon, which either gives them enough time to drain by today or to finish building an ark on the fairway.

The forecast is for improving conditions today, but since forecasting weather often is about as unpredictable as long iron play, that remains to be seen.

Rain or shine, Peter Jacobsen returns as the defending champion in the $1.5-million event. A year ago he shot a closing 65 at soggy Pebble Beach to defeat David Duval by one shot.

Because there was so much rain, all four rounds were played under winter rules, which allowed players to lift, clean and place their balls on every shot. The only place where a player could not improve his lie was when the ball was in the rough at Pebble Beach.

Players took advantage of the rules and the cut was one under par. Nick Faldo shot 65 the first day, Brad Faxon shot 64 the next and Jacobsen finished 66-65 to win it.

PGA Tour officials said winter rules will be used again today.

Jacobsen’s triumph at Pebble Beach was his first in five years--and he liked it so much, he went out and won again the next week at San Diego. He wound up winning $1.075 million in 25 events.

Even if the courses are mushy, Jacobsen’s competition looks pretty stiff. Phil Mickelson leads the probable contenders, along with Faldo, Ernie Els, Lee Janzen, Steve Elkington, Faxon, Jeff Maggert, Ben Crenshaw, Mark Brooks, Payne Stewart, Paul Azinger, Fuzzy Zoeller, Jay Haas and Mark O’Meara. Also in the field are Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.