America's favorite tight end has been on quite a run lately.
First he nearly aced the most famous party hole in golf, and now he's headed to one of the most iconic courses on the planet.
And Travis Kelce just landed at Pebble Beach and brought one huge surprise nobody saw coming.
Super Bowl Champion Trades the Gridiron for the Fairways
Travis Kelce is no longer just an NFL star dabbling in golf for fun.
The three-time Super Bowl champion is playing Thursday and Friday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am — the PGA Tour's first signature event of 2026 — just days after he stole the show at the WM Phoenix Open pro-am at TPC Scottsdale.
At the Phoenix Open's famous par-3 16th hole, Kelce drilled an iron to about two feet and nearly made an ace in front of thousands of screaming fans in the Stadium Hole.
He strummed an air guitar, worked the crowd, and basically reminded everyone that whatever he does, the man knows how to perform.
Now he gets to take on Pebble Beach's legendary par-3 7th hole — one of the most photographed spots in American golf — and Kelce is listed with a 10 handicap for the tournament.
He'll be paired with PGA Tour pro Keith Mitchell on Thursday at Spyglass Hill before moving to the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links on Friday.
The Star-Studded Field Has One Extra Twist
The Pro-Am is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, and tournament organizers could not be more thrilled with the celebrity firepower in the amateur field.
Kelce's appearance has already driven a noticeable spike in ticket sales — especially with fans who attended last weekend's Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium in nearby Santa Clara and decided to extend their Bay Area vacation.
"We have already seen interest from people attending the Super Bowl that want to extend their vacation a few more days on the Monterey Peninsula," said AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Tournament Director Steve John.
Tournament officials are coyly leaving open the possibility that Kelce's fiancée, pop star Taylor Swift, could show up on the Monterey Peninsula — though nothing has been confirmed.
And trust the Swifties to drive ticket speculation regardless.
Also teeing it up Thursday is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who will play alongside eight-time PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel.
DeSantis carries a 10 handicap and is a member at Seminole Golf Club, one of the most exclusive courses in the country.
Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — an Augusta National member — rounds out one of the more politically charged celebrity fields the Pro-Am has seen in years.
She'll be paired with Rickie Fowler.
Rice, DeSantis, and a Super Bowl champion. That's not a bad threesome for a Tuesday morning headline.
This Is About More Than Golf
Here's what's really going on at Pebble Beach this week.
Kelce's NFL future is genuinely uncertain — his contract with the Chiefs expires at the end of the 2026 season, and he's made no secret of the fact he's weighing his options.
Every round of golf he plays right now looks a little bit like a test drive for life after football.
At the same time, Kelce's been in talks with Netflix for a sports broadcasting role, he's got a wedding to plan with Taylor Swift, and the world is watching his every move.
Playing two rounds at one of America's most storied courses — with the world's top players like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy in the same field — isn't exactly a low-key weekend.
It's a statement.
What's also notable is that this Pro-Am has quietly grown into something more competitive and prestigious since the PGA Tour slimmed the field to 80 top pros and $20 million in prize money.
The days of Gerald Ford scatter-shooting spectators on the first tee are gone.
Now it's a $20 million event with a $3.6 million winner's check on one of America's great courses — and Travis Kelce is there in the middle of it, showing everyone that when one chapter ends, the next one might just involve a lot of beautiful fairways.
Sources:
- Ricardo Tovar, "Travis Kelce and Ron DeSantis highlight Pebble Beach Pro-Am field as pairings are released," KSBW, February 10, 2026.
- Adam Schupak, "Who are the ams and celebs at the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am?" Golfweek/Yahoo Sports, February 10, 2026.
- John Devine, "AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: Travis Kelce, along with elite pro field expected for 79th tournament," Monterey Herald, February 6, 2026.
- "Travis Kelce to play Pebble Beach Pro-Am; will Taylor Swift join him?" Yahoo Sports/Golfweek, February 5, 2026.
- "Pebble Beach Pro-Am Celebrities 2026: Billionaires, Sports Stars And Augusta Members," Golf Monthly, February 11, 2026.
