PEBBLE BEACH—The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is a historic golf tournament that has always been a crowd favorite. The tournament was founded by singer Bing Crosby 79 years ago and paired the talents of professional golfers and celebrities.
The tournament takes place over three iconic courses in four days in the picturesque Carmel Valley area of Northern California. Pebble Beach Golf Links plays host to final day of drama while the first three days involves players making birdies on a combination of Spyglass Hill Golf Course, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, and Pebble Beach.
Coming into this week the average golf fan has probably never heard the name “Vaughn Taylor.” That comes with good reason as he hasn’t won a professional golf tournament in over a decade. He hasn’t even had a full PGA tour card since 2012.
And yet here we are, talking about an apparent ghost after the unlikeliest of victories at arguably the greatest golf venue in the country.
Going into the final round on Sunday, golf legend Phil Mickelson had a 2-stroke lead and all arrows pointed to him taking his record-tying fifth win at Pebble Beach.
The drama unfolded for Mickelson as he had a 5-foot birdie putt on 18 to send the tournament into a playoff with him pitted against the aforementioned Taylor. The golf gods would not have it so.
Mickelson’s putt lipped out and he settled for a par, putting him in second place behind Taylor who was already in the clubhouse.
Taylor finished with a 7-under 65 on Sunday leaving him at 17-under for the tournament and an aggregate score of 270.
It was another grueling second place finish for Mickelson who was left with his hands resting on his knees as the ball trickled out of the hole.
Taylor, who resides in Augusta, Georgia, now qualifies for The Masters Tournament for the first time since 2008.