Pebble Beach Became a Tale of Two Seasons

Last year, Vijay Singh won nine times, but the first one was right here, the place where he came from behind on the last day to start the best year of his career.

If Singh was on his way, Arron Oberholser took off in the other direction. That’s what happens when you’re leading on the last day, shoot 76 and need three months to get over it.

“I basically didn’t compete last year in the final round,” he said. “I was watching Vijay play. I might as well have been behind the ropes because I didn’t put up much of a fight.”

Of course, it didn’t help that Singh snap-hooked his first three drives and still wound up with birdies each time. Oberholser wound up tied for fourth. He had four other top-10 finishes last year, made $1.9 million and decided to stop beating himself up for one bad round.

As for Singh, he had 18 top-10 finishes, made $10.9 million, and begins the $5.3-million AT&T; Pebble Beach National Pro-Am today with a 2005 victory already in his bag, acquired at the Sony Open.

If this tournament is where Singh’s greatest journey began a year ago, it also marks the spot where Oberholser started one of his own. The 30-year-old who grew up in the Bay Area wound up 52nd on the money list last year and says the lessons he learned losing to Singh have made him a better player.

“It took me quite awhile to realize that it happens to everybody out here. I basically stepped to the first tee and I had myself psyched out. You don’t have to play perfect golf, you just have to play good enough and that’s what I didn’t realize at the time.”

Oberholser was second at the Wachovia, but knew his game was all together, or at least in sync with his mind. In that one, Oberholser had a one-shot lead going into the final round, shot a 72 and got into a playoff with Joey Sindelar, who beat him on the second extra hole.

It was an experience to remember, he said.

“Playing very well and basically exorcising the demons from this place and losing in the playoff, giving myself a legitimate chance to win,” he said.

According to Singh, Oberholser shouldn’t have spent too much time thinking about that Sunday a year ago.

“I think you learn from your lessons,” he said. “That’s what I did for years. There’s a lot of opportunities out there, and you’re going to lose more than you’re going to win and that was a great example. I felt sorry for him a little bit, but that’s golf. Each week there’s only one winner, and it’s always going to be the same.”

The Pebble Beach tournament has a pro-am format and is played on three courses -- the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills. Seven of the last eight winners have won majors -- Singh, Davis Love III in 2003 and 2001, Tiger Woods in 2000, Payne Stewart in 1999, Phil Mickelson in 1998 and Mark O’Meara in 1997.

Singh, who took over the No. 1 ranking from Woods last year, says he is comfortable on the greens and his ball-striking is sharp. He thinks he can repeat his success of a year ago.

“I don’t see why I shouldn’t do as good as last year,” he said. “It’s being confident and comfortable at the same time.

“I’m enjoying the ride, and hopefully it can go a little longer.”

Meanwhile, Oberholser, who tied for sixth at Torrey Pines two weeks ago, says that if he gets another chance to close the deal on the last day, it’s going to be a different story.

“Guaranteed,” he said. “The outcome might not be different, but I’m going to put forth a better effort. I can’t control what the other guy does. If I go out and shoot 67, I’ve improved my performance. If the other guy goes out and shoots 66, well, good for you.”

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This Week

PGA TOUR: AT&T; Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

* When: Today-Sunday.

* Where: Pebble Beach Golf Links (6,816 yards, par 72), Spyglass Hill Golf Course (6,862 yards, par 72) and Poppy Hills Golf Course (6,833 yards, par 72).

* Purse: $5.3 million. Winner’s share: $954,000.

* TV: USA (today-Friday, 3-6 p.m.) and Channel 2 (Saturday, noon-3 p.m.; Sunday, noon-3:30 p.m.).

* 2004 winner: Vijay Singh.

* Next week: Nissan Open at Riviera Country Club.

LPGA TOUR: Women’s World Cup of Golf

* When: Friday-Sunday.

* Where: Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate, the Links (6,424 yards, par 73); George, South Africa.

* Purse: $1 million. Winners’ shares: $100,000 per player.

* TV: Golf Channel (Friday-Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.).

* Format: Two-player teams representing 20 countries. Friday, best ball; Saturday, alternate shot; Sunday, stroke play.

* Top teams: United States, Meg Mallon and Beth Daniel; Sweden, Carin Koch and Sophie Gustafson; Australia, Karrie Webb and Rachel Hetherington; Canada, Lorie Kane and Dawn Coe-Jones; England: Laura Davies and Karen Stupples; Scotland, Catriona Matthew and Janice Moodie; Mexico, Lorena Ochoa and Alejandra Martin Del Campo; Philippines, Jennifer Rosales and Dorothy Delasin; and South Korea, Jeong Jang and Bo Bae Song.

* Next event: Feb. 24-26, SBS Open at Kahuku, Hawaii.