Water a Hazard, but Play at Pebble Beach Is Likely

PEBBLE BEACH — The sun was shining Wednesday, but there still was mud splattered on his slacks and caked on his spikes when Peter Jacobsen said, yes, it was a perfect day for golf.

That’s good news at this tournament, mainly because last year there wasn’t one, not officially anyway, because rain sent the AT&T; Pebble Beach National Pro-Am down the drain after 36 holes.

That also means Jacobsen, the 1995 winner, is back to defend his title, even if he got it two years ago. “I think I’m the longest [reigning] defending champion in the history of golf,” he said.

In another unusual turn of events, the weather isn’t supposed to be a factor when the tournament begins today, but the effects of two months of persistent rain are easy to see.

The courses are so wet practice rounds were not permitted.

Actually, it probably didn’t matter. If anybody wanted to simulate the playing conditions, they could have teed up the ball on sponges.

Tom Kite said it’s not exactly news that it rains at the Monterey Peninsula in January.

“These golf courses hold water like my bathtub does at home,” Kite said.

Nobody is arguing it is wet. Caddies and players were allowed to walk the three courses--Pebble Beach, Spyglass and Poppy Hills--but they had to stay off the greens.

To prevent golf balls from becoming mud balls, winter rules are in effect for the first three rounds, which means the players can lift, clean and place their balls within one club length.

Last year, it was more like lift, clean and float. The tournament was canceled for the first time since it started as Bing Crosby’s clambake in 1947.

No one was happy, but Kite said Wednesday that David Eger, the PGA Tour’s vice president of competition, made a huge blunder.

“It was a very poor decision,” Kite said. “We have too much responsibility and obligations to our sponsors and television to ever come to a conclusion to cancel a golf tournament.”

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Pebble Beach

National Pro-Am

* Where: Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Poppy Hills.

* When: Today through Sunday.

* TV: Today and Friday, 4-6 p.m., USA (delayed); Saturday and Sunday, noon-3 p.m., Channel 2.

* Prize money: $1.9 million, $342,000 to the winner.