'PO Champ' Cantlay "AT&T Victory Declaration"... Kang Sung-hoon "Memories of 11-under 60"

Challenging First Win of the New Year at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Top 3 and Top Rankers Absent, Burger to Defend Title

'PO Champ' Patrick Cantlay challenges for his first win of the 2022 season at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] The '15 million dollar man' Patrick Cantlay has embarked on his quest for his first win of the 2022 season.

The battleground is the PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (total prize money $8.7 million), which opens on the night of the 3rd (Korean time) at Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, USA (par 72, 6,972 yards). The pro-am format features the first three rounds played across three courses: Spyglass Hill (par 72, 7,041 yards) and Monterey Peninsula (par 71, 6,957 yards), alongside Pebble Beach Golf Links. The winner will be decided on the final day back at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

Cantlay swept up an impressive four wins last year. These include the Zozo Championship in October 2020 (counted in the 2021 season), the Memorial Tournament in June 2021, the BMW Championship?the second playoff event?in August, and the Tour Championship?the final third playoff event?in September. The BMW Championship was a highlight. After a grueling six-hole playoff battle against 'The Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (both from the USA), Cantlay secured the No. 1 seed for the playoffs and used it as momentum to claim the $15 million (18.135 billion KRW) jackpot at the Tour Championship.

This year, he has already fine-tuned his competitive shot form early with a 4th place finish at the Sentry Tournament and 9th at the American Express last month. Moreover, he has thrilling memories of firing a 10-under-par round on the first day last year at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Although he finished tied for 3rd, leaving some regrets, it is welcome news that the world No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) and other 'Top 3' players are absent. DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and Xander Schauffele are competing in the Asian Tour's Saudi International.

Daniel Berger has entered the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am to defend his title.

Defending champion Daniel Berger is a player to watch. On the final day last year, he posted a daily best 7-under-par, including two eagles, to secure a two-stroke victory. Particularly at the 18th hole (par 5), he brilliantly finished with a 9.4-meter eagle after successfully reaching the green in two shots from 250 yards. 2017 champion Jordan Spieth has joined the title race. After starting the final round tied for the lead last year, he faltered with a 2-under-par round and finished tied for 3rd, adding a redemption storyline.

Will Zalatoris (USA), who finished runner-up at the Farmers Insurance Open that ended on the 30th of last month, is a dark horse. South Korea recalls Kang Sung-hoon (35), who shot an 11-under-par 60 at Monterey Peninsula during the second round in 2016. No Seung-yeol (32) and Bae Sang-moon (36) are also in the field. Locally, attention is drawn by the appearances of MLB Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts and US women's soccer legend Mia Hamm.

Kang Sung-hoon is eyeing a victory opportunity at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.