UPDATE: Morgan Hill golfer John Ellis shot a 3-under 69 on
Thursday and is currently tied for 26th; Robert Garrigus and Dustin
Johnson currently lead at 7-under
PEBBLE BEACH
Playing for the fourth time in the AT&T National Pebble Beach Pro-Am, John Ellis in no stranger to the tournament. But he’s yet to qualify for Sunday’s championship round.
He’s hoping this is the year he’ll be able to turn the corner and have a chance to take home a portion of the $6,100,000 purse – and maybe even the grand prize of $1,098,000.
“I’ve definitely got better,” Ellis said before his practice round Wednesday at Poppy Hills. “My first year, it was basically my first pro tournament, and I was just happy to be here. Now I’m here to compete for the chance to win.”
Ellis, a 1998 Live Oak alumnus who attended Gavilan College and the University of Oregon, has been close to qualifying, but has usually been hurt by one bad round.
“I haven’t played good enough all three days,” Ellis said.
As any of the great golfers who have played at Pebble Beach over the years can attest, the three courses can be a beast to figure out. Ellis said sometimes the tournament can be overwhelming, but he focuses on staying loose going in.
“I try to treat it like any other tournament,” Ellis said. “I’ve had so much success the last couple years. It’s finding your niche what you do right to prepare for a tournament. I feel like maybe in the years past I’ve overprepared for a tournament like this, trying to make it a bigger deal than it is. Essentially, it’s a big deal for me because I don’t have the status not being on the PGA Tour. But bottom line is it’s just another golf tournament. Now that I’m a little older and understand it, I’m fine with it.”
Ellis, 29, didn’t have to qualify for the tournament like he has had to do in years past. He received a sponsor exemption after picking up the Order of Merit with three wins on the Canadian Tour last year.
“They do everything first class,” said Ellis, who has participated on and off in the tour the last three years. “It was just like this event except with not as big of crowds and purse.”
The always unpredictable weather at Pebble Beach has been mostly cooperative so far. Rain has held off during practice rounds for the most part this week.
“The course is in pretty good shape,” Ellis said. “It’s a little wet maybe. I think depending on how much rain we get, it will be all right. I don’t think we will be able to play the ball down if it rains hard.”
A strong showing of friends and family members always comes out to support Ellis. And this year will be no different. His family is staying in Carmel this week as they cheer him on.
Ellis will be getting married June 13 in his home city of San Jose, but for now he’s focusing on winning a tournament.
“I am just going to try to have fun and do what I do,” Ellis said. “If I do that, I will have a good chance on Sunday.”
IF YOU GO:
The cities of Monterey, Carmel and Pacific Grove offer parking and express shuttles to the tournament for a fee. Parking on the course is restricted to those with proper parking credentials. No phones or cameras are allowed. Backpacks or bags must be smaller than 8x8x8 inches. Play begins at 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday on all three courses. The final round begins at 7:30 a.m. Sunday on Pebble Beach and features the 60 low pros and 25 low teams.
