DEFENDING CHAMPION: Canadian Nick Taylor held on with a final round 70 to claim his second PGA Tour win. Taylor, with a total of 19-under, finished four shots in front of American Kevin Streelman, while 2019 champion and five-time winner Phil Mickelson was a shot further adrift after a disappointing Sunday 74.

COURSE: Among the most well-known courses in the world, Pebble Beach Golf Links shares host duties with Spyglass Hill Golf Course this week as the PGA Tour heads to California’s Monterey Peninsula.

Originally designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant in 1919, Pebble Beach’s Oceanside holes, particularly the short par-3 7th and par-5 finishing hole are among its best and most photographed in world golf. Measuring 7,051 yards this week, Pebble Beach has been the site of six US Opens.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. in 1966, Spyglass Hill has been part of this event’s rotation of courses since the following year and will play 10 yards shorter than Pebble Beach this week.

PRIZEMONEY: US$7,800,000.

RELATED: So-called expert golf tips for this week

PLAYERS TO WATCH …

With the late withdrawal of World No.1 Dustin Johnson, Paul Casey shapes as one of the serious favourites here.

The Englishman's year is off to a great start, with a T8 at The American Express and T12 at the Saudi International last week bookending a win in Dubai.

RIGHT: Nick Taylor took home his second career PGA Tour trophy in 2020 at Pebble Beach. PHOTO: Chris Trotman/Getty Images.

Casey’s T64 here last year is worth noting, but 2020 was an off year the European Ryder Cupper, who was the runner up at this event in 2019 and shared 8th the year prior.

The World No.17 is an elite ball striker with plenty of power that will help in the cooler temperatures this week, while his putting has been rock solid so far in 2021.

Plenty of eyes will be on Jordan Spieth this week following some positive signs in the desert last week and a good record on the Monterey Peninsula in previous years.

The former World No.1 claimed the trophy here in 2017, the victory one of seven finishes inside the top-25 from eight appearances.

Others worth watching include Phil Mickelson, who leads tournament career earnings here and has walked away with the spoils five times. Mickelson has been consistently struggling with his game on the main Tour, but there is something about Pebble Beach that lifts his game and it will be interesting to see if that is the case this week.

Only four internationals have ever won here, but with two of them being Australians, Jason Day will like his chances of adding to the list.

Two missed cuts to start the year is certainly not what the new equipment free agent had in mind since partnering with new coach Chris Como, but the Queenslander has never failed to make the weekend here and owns five top-5s, including a share of runner-up honours in 2018.

72-HOLE RECORD: American Brandt Snedeker set the tournament scoring record in 2015, reaching 22-under (265) to defeat Nick Watney by three shots.

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Brett Ogle (1993) and Bruce Crampton (1965).

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Aaron Baddeley, Cameron Davis, Jason Day, Rhein Gibson, Matt Jones, Min Woo Lee, Cameron Percy and John Senden.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 7am – 10am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 7am – 10am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 5am – 10am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 LIVE 5am – 10:30am)
*AEDT, check local guides