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Golf's Top Stars Shine at Pebble Beach Amidst Wild Weather

Pebble Beach, USAThursday, February 12, 2026
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Pebble Beach is renowned for its unpredictable weather, and this year is no exception. Players have encountered sunshine, high winds, and rain in the days leading up to the tournament, making practice rounds quite the adventure.

Hot Streak: Scheffler and Gotterup

Two golfers, Scottie Scheffler and Chris Gotterup, have been on a hot streak lately. They've played together in seven tournaments since July and have won five of them.

  • Scottie Scheffler, the world's number one golfer, boasts an impressive record of 17 straight top-10 finishes.
  • Chris Gotterup, once ranked 206th, is now up to number five in the world.

Gotterup, who looks more like a baseball player than a golfer, joked about Scheffler copying his lunch choices. Despite their success, they're not the only stars at Pebble Beach. Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, is also in the mix.

Challenging Conditions

The tournament features some of the best golf courses on the PGA Tour schedule. Players like Justin Rose have been out on the course, practicing in the challenging conditions. Rose noted that while the weather can be fun without a scorecard, it's a different story when you're keeping score.

Gotterup's Connection to Pebble Beach

Gotterup has a special connection to Pebble Beach. He first played here after breaking par for the first time as a teenager. He's been back several times and enjoys the course, rain or shine.

Weather Forecast and Notable Participants

The forecast predicts improving weather for the first two rounds, with rain expected to return over the weekend. The tournament features a large field, including amateurs like Travis Kelce and Pau Gasol.

Scheffler's Dominance

Gotterup's success comes from his powerful drives and consistent iron play. He's been on a roll, with three wins in his last 10 starts. However, Scheffler remains the golfer to beat. After a slow start to the year due to a hand injury, he's been unstoppable, with 17 straight top-10 finishes.

McIlroy's Praise for Scheffler

McIlroy praised Scheffler's consistency, comparing him to Tiger Woods. He noted that Scheffler's ability to perform at a high level week in and week out is what sets him apart.

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