Harry The Hat live at Pebble

By Harry Emanuel Last updated: 13th February 2010

Pebble Beach truly is a special place and it is difficult to think of a better golfing venue. The views are breathtaking and when the sun sets it stirs one's poetic nature.

'This royal throne of golfing kings, this sceptered peninsula, this place of majesty, this other Eden, demi-paradise. A happy breed of golfer in this little world, this precious stone set in the silver bay, the envy of less happier lands, this blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this course, one Pebble.'

Nick O'Hern wasn't feeling quite so Shakespearian after his first practice round at Pebble but he admitted, "The rumours are true. I spent most of the day taking pictures with my camera and was more a tourist than golf pro."

There's a lot of talk about the changes being made for the US Open and whether players can really glean any advantage this week given conditions are likely to be so different in June.

Luke Donald said it best, "I'm not sure I'll learn too much it's more about familiarising myself again with the course. I think certain shots will play similar - hitting into par 3ss and second shots into par fours."

Players are getting a preview of the new lines off the tee, in particular holes 6, 8, 9, 10 and 18, where the fairways have been moved to bring the cliffs and ocean into play which could make things very exciting in June.

Mike Weir who felt he could not have scored better than a 67 after playing what he described as 'sloppy golf' in round one must have a great chance come the summer given both his fine US Open record and Pebble form.

He told me: "I've had some success here and I'd like to think I've got a good shot."

Another name on the short list has to be Dustin Johnson who effectively battered the 6,800 yard course into submission with an opening eight under par 64 to take the first round lead.

You can tell by listening to his understated southern drawl how much he enjoys the place. "Since the first time I came here I just liked the way it set up to my eye. You know it's a special place."

Mind you the new course on the rotation, Monterey Peninsula Country Club, is not be sniffed at either. It feels like a classic links with undulating fairways from which you can run the ball up on to slopey greens.

On Holes 8-13 which run along the seafront you can see and hear the sea lions playing in the surf less than 100 yards away. Phil Mickelson is not alone when he said: "It's a terrific track one, of my favourites on tour."

Jim Furyk who was pretty happy with his four under opening round at Pebble Beach said: "I played MPCC on Tuesday. It's relatively straightforward but it's fun to play. If you were to retire and play there you'd never get bored."

That said it's run by a bunch of numpties. They can't seem to get to grips with the fact they are hosting a public event. Scott McCarron was sent away because he didn't have the correct car park label and taxis coming to collect people have been forced to turn back at the front entrance for the same reason.

They're treating the public with contempt and only letting them in off the roadside by the tenth green tee like some sort of unwashed relative ushered in the back door so the neighbours don't see.

My anger abated when one gentleman said to his friend, "Hey, look at the little goats." To which his friend replied, "Your dawg's bigger than that. Well maybe not bigger but heavier."

He wasn't entirely happy with that and said through somewhat gritted teeth, "Well sure he is a bit chunkier now."

Before things got out of hand I was forced to point out that it was not a goat but in fact a dama dama from the Cervidae family more commonly known as a deer.

I was tempted to tell him to walk his dog more for both their sakes but in the interest of intercontinental diplomacy thought better of it and just continued to enjoy the view.

Harry Emanuel