The 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am opens the PGA Tour's first $20 million Signature Event, drawing an elite 80-player field. Indian-Americans Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala seek fast starts, while Rory McIlroy and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler headline at the iconic coastal course.
The Signature Event status means a $20 million purse and 700 FedExCup points on offer, raising stakes for every round. There is no cut, so all competitors are guaranteed four rounds, which encourages aggressive tactics and late moves up the leader board across the week.
McIlroy returns to Pebble Beach as defending champion after a 21-under-par total secured victory in 2025. That win came in McIlroy's most recent start at the venue, and this week also marks McIlroy's first
appearance of the 2026 PGA Tour season, adding extra attention to the campaign opener.
Scheffler arrives at Pebble Beach with strong early-season form, having already won The American Express and finished runner-up at the WM Phoenix Open. Despite Scheffler's reputation for consistent ball-striking and high finishes, a title at Pebble Beach has remained out of reach so far.
Bhatia enters the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with momentum after a career-best tied-third finish at the WM Phoenix Open. Bhatia is noted for creativity and varied shot shapes, which could prove useful if Pebble Beach produces windy, demanding coastal weather across the closing rounds this week.
Theegala's build-up to Pebble Beach has been mixed. Theegala narrowly missed a place in the Aon Swing 5 in Phoenix, which would have given automatic entry into Signature events at Pebble Beach and The Genesis Invitational. Instead, Theegala received a sponsor's exemption and now seeks to maximise that chance.
| Player | Event | Result | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akshay Bhatia | WM Phoenix Open | Tied-3rd | 2026 |
| Akshay Bhatia | AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Tied-22 | 2025 |
| Sahith Theegala | AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Tied-20 | 2024 |
| Sahith Theegala | AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Tied-53 | 2025 |
| Aaron Rai | AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am | Tied-40 | 2025 |
| Aaron Rai | Sony Open | Tied-50 | 2026 |
Both Bhatia and Theegala have shown comfort in coastal settings, which could support a strong push at Pebble Beach. Bhatia's best finish at the event so far is tied-22 in 2025, while Theegala's top result is tied-20 in 2024, followed by tied-53 at Pebble Beach last year.
Other contenders and storylines at Pebble Beach Signature Event
England's Aaron Rai also returns to the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am after finishing tied-40 in 2025. Rai has made only one PGA Tour appearance in 2026 before Pebble Beach, recording a tied-50 result at the Sony Open as Rai builds towards stronger form.
The Pebble Beach field includes Si Woo Kim, former major winners Justin Rose and Jason Day, and rising American Chris Gotterup. Gotterup has started the season in style, winning both the Sony Open and the WM Phoenix Open, adding further depth to an already powerful Signature Event line-up.
With no cut across four rounds, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am offers Bhatia, Theegala and the rest of the 80-player field extended chances to climb the standings. Established stars and emerging names all have clear incentives, as prize money, FedExCup points and early-season form converge at Pebble Beach.
/images/ppid_59c68470-image-177073258566288418.webp)
