Pebble Beach replaces an iconic tree at its famous 18th hole

Pebble Beach Resort is replacing one of its iconic Cypress trees, Golfweek has learned, at its former location to restore some of the strategic challenge at the par-5 18th hole.

The famed Pebble Beach Golf Links, ranked No. 10 in Golfweek’s Best Classic Courses list, already is prepping for next year’s 127th U.S. Open.

The famed par-5 18th at Pebble Beach Golf Links gets a new cypress tree along the left fairway ahead of hosting the 2027 U.S. Open.

That includes planting a tree at the famed finishing hole, a crescent shape, with the Pacific Ocean and a seawall lining the entire left side of the fairway and green. Golfweek obtained a picture taken Wednesday morning that shows a large crane lifting the tree into its new home. The Pebble Beach Co. confirmed that the Cypress tree was moved from the 17th hole at nearby Spyglass. A Pebble caddie told Golfweek he noticed a hole had been dug at 18 on Monday during his round and also had been at Spyglass, where a large tree was resting on pipes and being readied for a move.

“I thought it never would be replaced,” the caddie said of the second tree at Pebble's 18th.

A powerful storm, with winds whipping to 40 mph, on Dec. 11, 2014, toppled the previous tree that stood as a hazard on the left side of the 18th fairway. The tree, which added a strategic feature, had been planted in 2004.

There is plenty of work being done at Pebble in preparation for next year's national championship – “They’re going to town right now,” a source said – including a temporary tee for the fourth hole, which is located near the 16th green, and the removal of the bridge coming off the fourth tee box. It is believed that the new tee box will offer more of a view of the ocean.

A permanent snack bar is being built nearby too. They also re-sodded the areas around all the greens. Rumors persist that could be used to lengthen the hole and result in changes to Nos. 3 and 16.