It’s Pebble Beach time! This means Carl Spackler and Tin Cup will tee off with the PGA’s best on one of America’s most serene courses.

Here are some thoughts on the tournament:

David Duval: Duval finished last year tied for runner-up with JB Holmes (one stroke behind winner Dustin Johnson) stirring up fan memories of his past playing abilities that led him to win the 2001 British Open. It would be great to see Davie back in form for the start of the 2011 season.

John Daly: John Daly is in the field this week (paired with Dallas Cowboy’s Tony Romo). Daly, struggling with his game, losing his tour card, and seeing his earnings shrink, will be toting a new golf bag that looks like something straight out Caddyshack. The bag sports a loud red pattern that matches the trousers he wears on the golf course and has a built-in flat screen television that will run ads – another needed money maker for Daly. All it’s lacking is the beer tap and clubs that shoot out of the bag.

Michael Bolton: India’s Arjun Atwal will be playing alongside singer Michael Bolton. Wednesday’s 3M Celebrity Challenge brought inspiration to everyone, but it was actor-comedian Anthony Anderson who felt Bolton’s presence the most. Anderson burst into song Wednesday (suddenly and loudly) on the 18th green – his timing seemed suspicious. “When a maaa-an loves a woo-man …” Anderson bellowed semi-melodically as Michael Bolton stood over a 5-foot putt worth $19,000 in charity money. Bolton stepped away from his ball with a cocked eyebrow, waited for the laughter to subside, then refocused and rolled the putt into the cup to win the biggest chunk of the cash in the match.

For the easy-listening fans out there, musician Kenny G is paired with South Korean K.J. Choi. G won the 2001 pro-am with Phil Mickelson in 2001.

Cell Phones: Cell phones will be allowed for the first time in years, provided they are put on silent and users aren’t yapping near the ropes or taking pictures, two big no-no’s (photos are allowed during practice rounds). A public service video from tournament chair Clint Eastwood will remind arriving fans of the new rule as they board shuttle. Paring sheets this year they are available as an app at the Android Market, iPhone App Store, or iTunes.

Business as Usual: As usual, Tiger Woods will skip the Pro-Am as he has done since 2002, playing this week in the Dubai Desert Classic (who wouldn’t choose 135 degree heat over the cool breezes of the California coast?)

Keith

Vijay Singh and David Toms have had writs filed against them for $10.5 million and $900,000 respectively. The writs are part of a $13 million dollar lawsuit filed against the PGA Tour by an investor group attempting to recoup losses from financier Allen Stanford. Stanford is currently standing trial for operating a multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme that had strong monetary ties to the professional golf world.

Singh had received sponsorships and fees through his management company (IMG) from Stanford, while Toms earned over $900,000 in profits from a fraudulent certificate of deposit scheme based out of Antigua.

Singh, with strong ties to Stanford, made headlines last June for continuing to wear the Stanford logo shirt for free and offering to pay the $500,000 bond for Stanford’s release from jail (Singh’s payment was refused due to not being a US citizen).

Camilo Villegas has landed one of the top caddies in all of golf for the US Open.  Villegas found himself in need of a caddy after Gary Matthews left him for part-time work with Sergio Garcia.  But he was not without a caddy for very long.

At a charity event shortly after his caddy left, Villegas was teamed up with Fred Couples.  Since Couples will not be at Bethpage, he offered up the services of his caddy, Joe LaCava, who is considered one of the best in the business.  LaCava also works with Davis Love III.  He’ll work the St Jude Invitational and the US Open with Villegas.

When asked why he parted with Matthews, Villegas stated the Matthews wanted to start a family and work a little less.

The first golf course designed by Tiger Woods will not open as scheduled due to worsening economic conditions in Dubai.  The scheduled opening has been delayed by at least 6 months.

“It’s six months as of right now,” Woods said in an interview at the Memorial. “It’s going to be behind schedule. Obviously, the economy has turned over there and they’ve slowed down construction because of it.”

The total project, called “Tiger Woods Dubai”, includes 100 villas, 75 mansions, 22 palaces and a 360,000 square foot luxury hotel.  The course only had 3 holes under construction when the project was halted.

Woods has 2 other courses in the works – one  in North Carolina (The Cliffs at High Carolina) and one in Mexico (Punta Brava).  Both courses are awaiting permits but otherwise are on schedule.  The North Carolina course is expected to open in the middle of 2010 and the Mexico course is slated to open in late 2010.

John Daly, still a week away from his official PGA Tour return at the St. Jude Invitational, has signed an endorsement deal with sports drink company, All Sport.  He signed a multi-year deal with the company and will feature their Big Red brand drink on his bag .  “Corporate America believes in his comeback,” agent Bud Martin said Thursday.

After determining the course of treatment for his wife Amy’s breast cancer, Phil Mickelson has decided to return to the course for the St. Jude Invitational June 11.  He will use the tournament as a tune-up for the US Open the following week.  After that, his schedule is still uncertain.

John Daly’s 6 month PGA suspension is officially over.  Daly was suspended in November after numerous off the course incidents and had recently been playing on the European Tour.  He has been given a sponsor exemption to play in the St. Jude Invitational June 11-14 and is expected to play.

In other news, Daly wore bright pink trousers in the Sunday’s final round at the BMW PGA Championship as a gesture of support for Phil Mickelson’s wife, Amy, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.  “I had a pair, so I figured I’d do that for her today. I thought it would be a good gesture,” Daly said of his trousers. “I know Phil very well and I know Amy. I’ve known them for a long time — we’ve played the Tour together. She’s a great lady. She has always been a sweetheart to everybody.”

Phil Mickelson’s wife, Amy, has been diagnosed with breast cancer.  Mickelson has indefinitely suspended his PGA Tour schedule to be with his wife during this time.  His wife will need more tests before beginning treatment, but major surgery could come within the next 2 weeks.

It’s always tough when a loved one has to battle a disease like cancer.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Amy, Phil and their children during this time.

Jose Maria Olazabal has been elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame.  He was elected with 56% of the vote and will be enshrined November 2.  He will join Steve Ballesteros as the only Spaniards in the Hall.  Olazabal’s resume includes 29 world victories and 2 Masters wins.

Ben Enoch, 19, was killed in a car crash Thursday while driving to a tournament.  He was one of Wales’ most promising young golfers.

Enoch was travelling to a tournament in England when his car crashed into a trailer.  Enoch was a member of the preliminary 28-member Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup squad that will face the US in September.