Finchem to play in AT&T at Pebble

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Hunter Mahan decided to say yes when asked to partner up with an amateur at the 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Good career move, Hunter.

Mahan is scheduled to play with PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem in the event, which is played on Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Poppy Hills. The Tour wouldn't confirm Finchem's participation, but sources said he has for the past few years been thinking about playing in the either the AT&T or the Bob Hope. It will be Finchem's first time playing in a PGA Tour event.

"I plan on being a part of this tour for a long time," Mahan said on Thursday after his opening round at the Chevron World Challenge outside Los Angeles. "So I thought it would be a good idea to get to know the commissioner."

UPDATE (Saturday, December 20, 2008): Finchem confirmed he is playing in the AT&T, but with Davis Love III instead of Mahan.

"The chairman and CEO of AT&T asked me to play, and I do believe I said, 'Yes, sir,' " Finchem said.

-- John Marvel