AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am tips: Justin Thomas to continue revival as Viktor Hovland shines

There won’t be the usual sprinkling of A-list celebrities at this year’s upgraded PGA signature event, but there will be a stellar 80-strong line-up made up of most of the world’s best players.

Last year, this tournament attracted just three top-20 players and only 21 from the top 100, but the extra prize money and the streamlined format has attracted most of the world’s biggest names to the popular iconic venue.

They will play alongside amateur partners for the first two days, which will alternate between the courses at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill. The amateurs will then step aside for the weekend, allowing the pros to contest the $20million purse on the Pebble Beach track with no distractions  - there is no halfway cut.

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am key stats:

• When: February 1-4 2024
• Where: Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill, California
• How long: Pebble Beach 7,075 yards - par 72, Spyglass Hill 6,960 yards - par 72
• What to expect: Two courses alternate first two days, last two rounds at Pebble Beach
• Who won last year: Justin Rose (-18)

Last year’s winner, Justin Rose, earned himself a tidy $1.6million for his four days’ work, but he will find it tougher landing this year’s enhanced $3.6million prize, as he is part of a much stronger field that sees Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy installed as the pre-tournament 7/1 favourites. 

We could easily back the world’s top two ranked players every week and always have a decent chance, but their odds will never offer as much value as others tucked away lower down the market. That said, they might be worth a dabble at the enhanced pre-tournament odds of 9/1 offered by Planet Sport Bet.

PlanetSportBet’s Top Price on the Planet: McIlroy and Scheffler 9/1 price boost

There’s a rich vein of European talent on display this week, and it’s easy to make a case for most of them, with Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick and the rising Danish star Nicolai Hojgaard all capable of making a mockery of their tasty odds.

However, the pick of the European raiders remains world number four Viktor Hovland, who announced his big-stage arrival on this very course with a top-12 finish as an amateur at the US Open just five years ago.

He tied for 13th here last season  and finished last season like a train (1st, 1st, 5th, 2nd, 10th), so despite finishing eight shots off the pace on his reappearance at The Sentry,  his game looks tailor-made for Pebble Beach’s challenges and he offers top each-way value at double-digit odds.

Suggested bet: Viktor Hovland (11/1) each-way in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

• Tip advised by Linksman on Tipstrr

Our search for better value brings in Justin Thomas, who suffered some well-documented woes last season,  and while his recent resurgence came too late to prevent missing out on the FedEx play-offs for the first time since his rookie season in 2014, he has rebuilt his game and his confidence with some impressive displays either side of the winter break.

Four straight top-five finishes since finishing 12th at the Wyndham Championship in August suggest that JT has found his misplaced mojo to put his game back in top shape, and it would be no surprise to see him back where he belongs rubbing shoulders with the big boys in this elite line-up.

Suggested bet: Justin Thomas (20/1) each-way in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

• Tip advised by Elite Golf Tips on Tipstrr

Jason Day missed the cut last week, but that might have given him time to prepare for a tournament at which he has excelled in previous editions, with no less than eight top-10 finishes in 13 attempts, of which he has never failed to make the weekend.

If we forgive last weekend’s blot of the scorecard, then the Aussie’s recent form offers some hope to faithful backers, having kicked off the year tied for 10th at The Sentry, and if he can reach anywhere near that level again at one of his favourite venues, then he could well be involved in the Sunday afternoon shake-up.

Suggested bet: Jason Day (35/1) each-way in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Another JT to have caught the eye recently is JT Poston, who turns up at Pebble Beach for the first time in six years, but who boasts recent form as impressive as any among this star-studded  line-up.

His last missed cut was 12 tournaments ago at the Travellers Championship in June, since when he has landed no fewer than seven top-seven finishes.

Last week’s 11th place at the American Express was a relative blip, and while the opposition will be stronger this week, he has the game to cope with whatever his rivals and the coastal conditions throw at him.

Suggested bet: JT Poston (45/1) each-way in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

• Tip advised by Elite Golf Tips on Tipstrr

Others to watch:

• Jordan Spieth (16/1) - won here in 2017, runner-up in 2022, plus four other top-10’s
• Max Homa (16/1) - tends to excel in California, tied for 10th, 14th and 7th last three visits here
• Eric Cole (55/1) - 2023 rookie of the year and knocking at the door of maiden Tour win
• Justin Rose (60/1) - last year’s winner is clearly capable here, but back-to-back wins a big ask
• Nick Taylor (70/1) - won by 4 shots here in 2020 with three more top-10’s to boot
• Nick Dunlap (80/1) - Won the American Express as an amateur two weeks ago, fairytale pro debut, anyone?

Suggested each-way bet summary:

• Viktor Hovland (11/1)
• Justin Thomas (20/1)
• Jason Day (35/1) 
• J.T. Poston (45/1)