Maverick McNealy hopes a bit house cooking results in win at Pebble

Pebble Seaside occupies a particular place in Maverick McNealy’s coronary heart.

For his sixteenth birthday, McNealy performed the legendary observe for the very first time. He grew up enjoying The Hay quick course on the identical property together with his brothers, going round and round as any younger child would.

Since turning skilled, McNealy has discovered success revisiting the Monterey Peninsula for the AT&T Pebble Seaside Professional-Am. He’s completed inside the highest 5 on two events, one garnering a silver medal behind Daniel Berger in 2021.

“That is certainly one of, if not my favourite, occasion yearly on Tour. I really like the golf programs. I’d say any day with quick sleeves at Pebble Seaside goes to be a bucket checklist day,” he stated Tuesday throughout a pre-tournament sit down with the media.

McNealy returns to his completely happy place together with his recreation very a lot intact.

Since lacking the weekend on the season-opening Fortinet Championship, the 27-year-old has collected 5 top-20 finishes in seven official begins together with three prime 10s.

“I really feel like I’ve been doing every part just a bit bit higher this 12 months. Placing has been a extremely vivid spot for me, actually constant week in, week out,” he stated.

“Simply tweaking little issues right here and there. I don’t assume there’s any magic push to recover from the hump and the hurdle, however simply looking for little bits and items that I can enhance on right here and there.”

McNealy’s completed runner-up twice in California throughout his Tour profession. Why does he love pegging it in his house state a lot? Two issues: Poa annua grass and …

Grandma’s house cooking.

“I may begin with the house cooking. I’m staying with my grandparents this week, so grandma’s house cooking,” he stated.

With household on the town, a significant venue, and the dearth of a Tour win on his resume, is the Stanford grad placing an excessive amount of strain on himself this week?

“I believe very, very a lot within the current,” McNealy stated. “The previous and the long run are all stuff you simply make up in your thoughts, and actually the one factor that issues is correct now.

“To be sincere, I’m simply targeted on a number of issues proper now. I’m targeted on ensuring my placing pace is nice, ensuring that I see strains on these greens, ensuring that I do my golf swing upkeep, ensuring that my physique is in good condition and I’m able to go, and most significantly ensuring I’m rested.”

The flat stick has been a giant a part of McNealy’s success to date this season. He ranks second in SG: Placing and will have the ability to maintain the momentum shifting in the fitting route on his favourite floor.

Amid all of the potential distractions, he’s trying ahead to getting began on Thursday.