Local Knowledge: Pebble Beach Golf Links

PGA.com's T.J. Auclair caught up with Pebble Beach Head PGA Professional Chuck Dunbar, who talked about the excitement around the U.S. Open, the condition of the course and why 1982 Pebble champion Tom Watson actually has a chance this time around too at the age of 60.

By T.J. Auclair, PGA.com Interactive Producer

The major championship season is in full swing with the world-famous Pebble Beach Golf Links set to host its fifth U.S. Open this week. Before the start of the year's second major, PGA.com caught up with Pebble Beach PGA Head Professional Chuck Dunbar, who told us about the excitement, the conditions and why 1982 Pebble champion Tom Watson actually has a chance this time around too at the age of 60.

PGA.com: Thanks for joining us for the second time this year, Chuck. Last time we spoke, you talked about how it was difficult to not think ahead to the U.S. Open. Well, the U.S. Open is finally here. What's the level of excitement like around Pebble Beach?

D unbar: Electric ... we've been planning so long for this week to come it's hard to believe it's here. The players are starting to trickle in, the volunteers are ready, the USGA staff is all on site and the employees on property are ready to shine. You can cut the anticipation with a knife. Personally, given the busy days and long hours I've already put in, I have a lot of people asking if I can't wait for it to end. Truth be told, it's quite the opposite ... I can't wait for it to begin. I'm ready to enjoy witnessing the payoff of all the hard work and planning.

PGA.com: In the last two PGA Tour events played at Pebble Beach, young Dustin Johnson has come out on top. He's a bomber, which isn't necessarily required to win at Pebble, as we've seen in the past. And, obviously, the conditions are much different at Pebble in June than they are in February. All of that said, what do you think of Johnson's chances of winning his first major this week?

Dunbar: Pretty fair. Keep in mind one important thing: A bomber can have an advantage on any course that doesn't have U.S. Open type rough. While Dustin's back-to back wins in the AT&T are to applaud and are impressive, Pebble was one of three courses for that event. Additionally, the conditions we see in February are a lot different than we can dial into in June. That said, it's important to note that all past U.S. Open winners at Pebble Beach were also Crosby or AT&T winners before they won the Open here. That footnote in history bodes well for Dustin. Also in his favor, Dustin's caddie (Bobby Brown) is a former Pebble Beach caddie. Local knowledge never hurts.

PGA.com: Speaking of the conditions, can you tell us a little about what we can expect to see on television? How gnarly is the rough? What are the greens like?

Dunbar: The rough is long, the greens are firming up and there's been a stiff breeze in the air for a few days. The stars are aligning for a terrific test of golf. I got out to play recently (I made sure I found the time) and experienced what players will face this week. If you keep it in the fairway and hit greens, players will be rewarded. Miss a green, especially on the wrong side and the bogeys will pile up. One thing to watch for is how the Pacific Ocean will come into play. On the ocean holes, the fairway on the ocean side bleed into the hazard meaning a first cut or rough will not save you from doom. On these holes a player who hits a shot to the wrong side of the fairway may wish for rough which isn't there. Kind of strange to think a player could wish for some rough.

PGA.com: The USGA gave a special exemption to Tom Watson. We all saw his amazing run at Turnberry last summer and he even had a decent run in April at the Masters. I'm not going to ask you if he can win the U.S. Open at Pebble again, but do you think he could be a factor?

Dunbar: Absolutely. At 7,040 yards, I think Watson not only could be a factor, he will be a factor. Once again, given his past history with Pebble Beach, Tom Watson will do just fine. I think he'll be one of the great stories of the week. He's such a good ball striker, regardless of age, that Pebble will suit his eye just fine.

PGA.com: Speaking of Watson, he hit what was arguably one of the greatest shots in major history when he chipped in on the 71st hole in 1982. Of all the great moments in the four previous Opens at Pebble, which is your all-time favorite and why?

Dunbar: I think you just mentioned it. In my opinion, the "shot heard around the world" is not only iconic to Pebble, but for all major championship golf events. Not only did he make an incredible shot, he called it! Leading up to the '82 Open, Watson admitted that his short game was not where it needed to be. He spent hours around the chipping green to build confidence. By the time he reached the 71st hole, he was faced with a shot he'd spent a lot of time on. So who says hard work doesn't pay off?