Rory McIlroy heads into this week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am as defending champion, looking to repeat the success that launched his remarkable 2025 season. The Northern Irishman’s victory at Pebble Beach last February proved to be the catalyst for major championship wins at both The Players Championship and The Masters.
“Historically, I haven’t played Pebble Beach that well … it gave me a lot of confidence,” McIlroy reflected on his breakthrough at the iconic California venue. That confidence proved justified as he went on to capture two of golf’s biggest prizes in what became a career-defining year.
The four-time major champion will face stiff competition at this week’s PGA Tour Signature Event, which carries a $20 million purse with $3.6 million going to the winner. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler headlines the field alongside the tour’s hottest player, Chris Gotterup, who has won twice in the past three weeks.
Gotterup’s Hot Streak Continues
Chris Gotterup enters Pebble Beach as the most in-form player on tour following consecutive victories at the Sony Open and Phoenix Open. The American’s sudden surge has made him one of the most compelling storylines of the early 2026 season, positioning him as a serious threat to McIlroy’s title defense.
Justin Rose adds another layer of intrigue to the field after capturing the Farmers Insurance Open last week, while the tournament’s unique pro-am format will feature celebrities including NFL star Travis Kelce among the amateur participants.
Strong DACH Representation
The German-speaking contingent will be well represented at Pebble Beach, with Stephan Jäger leading the charge after his T7 finish at the venue last year. Matti Schmid joins his compatriot in the field, while Austria’s Sepp Straka brings four PGA Tour victories to his resume along with his own T7 result from 2025.
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am runs February 12-15 at the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links, marking the first Signature Event of the 2026 season. McIlroy’s quest to defend his title comes at a venue where he finally found his rhythm, setting the stage for what could be another memorable championship run.
For McIlroy, returning to the scene of his breakthrough offers both opportunity and pressure as he aims to prove that last year’s success was no fluke.
"Historically, I haven't played Pebble Beach that well … it gave me a lot of confidence."
After winning last year's @ATTProAm, @McIlroyRory proceeded to win @THEPLAYERS and the Masters 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Cb5nqplITv
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 10, 2026
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