Payton Manning to Play at Pebble Beach


Peyton Manning will hope for better results in a different sport this weekend on California's Monterey Peninsula. Last Sunday, the Denver Bronco's starting quarterback saw his team get blown out at the Super Bowl in New Jersey by the Seattle Seahawks, 43-8.

The 37-year-old Manning, who this year was named Most Valuable Player of the National Football League for a record fifth time, is getting away from the gridiron and is a late-minute entry in this week's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

The $6.6 million golf tournament, the former "Crosby Clambake" named after original host Bing Crosby, starts Thursday. Over the first three rounds the professional tour players are paired with amateurs - and many celebrities, business dignitaries and sports stars - on three courses: Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula Country Club. Sunday's final round will take place at Pebble Beach.

A very respectable 7 handicap who boasts a 4.6 index out of Castle Pines near Denver, Manning will partner with second-year pro Scott Langley. The two will be paired in the first round with former San Francisco 49ers' lineman Harris Barton and touring pro Greg Owen.

Other NFL notables in the field include New England Patriots' quarterback Tom Brady and head coach Bill Belichick - who lost to the Broncos in the AFC Championship game, and NFL quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers and Alex Smith of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Celebrities include Kid Rock, Wayne Gretzky, Oliver Hudson, Kurt Russell, Chris Berman, Lucas Black, Don Cheadle, Eric Close, Kenny G, Andy Garcia, Ray Romano, Joe Don Rooney, Darius Rucker and Clay Walker.

PGA Tour headliners include defending champion Brandt Snedeker, Graeme McDowell, Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, Nick Watney, Jim Furyk and Padraig Harrington.

All tournament proceeds benefit charity; over $110 million have been raised from the pro-am since its founding in 1937.