The Taylor Swift effect swept through the iconic Pebble Beach on Friday – without the pop star even being there.
The PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is one of the top-billed events on the golfing calendar thanks to the host of famous faces that participate in the competition each year.
But there was an extra buzz around the tournament – which sees professional golfers pair with celebrities over two rounds – on Friday morning when rumors started to swirl that songstress Swift could be in attendance at the famous California course.
Swift’s boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce, was playing with pro partner Keith Mitchell during Friday’s second round at Pebble Beach but the pop sensation was nowhere to be seen.
Despite being rumored to be in town, the Opalite singer did not make an appearance inside or outside the ropes as her fiance teed it up.
But even the speculation of the hitmaker’s potential attendance and her NFL beau’s participation were enough to give the PGA Tour’s ticket sales a boost.
It was speculated that Taylor Swift could make an appearance at Travis Kelce’s golf round
The Kansas City Chiefs star played in the PGA Tour’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
Tournament director Steve John said when Kelce was announced as playing in the pro-am, more than $60,000 in tickets were sold over the next 12 hours.
John added that some $21,000 tickets for the second round were sold between 6:30pm Thursday and 6:30am Friday, two hours before Kelce played.
More than 1,000 spectators lined the left side of the first fairway at Pebble Beach, but all they saw was Kelce hitting his tee shot to the right, into and out of the trees, and along the cart path. He ultimately escaped with a par.
The spectators hadn’t left the possibility of catching a glimpse of the 14-time Grammy Award winner to chance – and neither had tournament staff.
While fans had splashed out for tickets just in case, organizers were taking the same precautions when it came to security.
John had plans in place for security, for transportation across the course, and even a secure suite overlooking the 18th green.
Kelce and his partner Mitchell were playing alongside Mackenzie Hughes and retired NFL quarterback Alex Smith.
‘It was busy without her,’ said Hughes. ‘With her, I think it would have literally been pandemonium.’
The tight end competed in the team event with golf professional Keith Mitchell
Despite Swift being a no-show, there were plenty of fans wearing Chiefs merchandise
Kelce and Mitchell shot a 66 at the famous Pebble Beach course, sitting them back of the lead
Hughes, who described himself as a fringe Swiftie, said it was a treat to play with Kelce, whom he described as a ‘great personality, great vibe.’
‘He even said it hasn’t always been this way,’ Hughes said of so much attention on Swift. ‘But since they’re now engaged it’s like, “My life has changed a little bit.” Even for him to say that, that’s pretty telling. He’s already a pretty big star.’
The Chiefs tight end and Mitchell shot a 66 in the pro-am team event, leaving them well back in the pack.
The tournament has a long history of athletes over the years, including Ken Griffey Jr. playing in a group with Tiger Woods some 20 years ago, Aaron Rodgers and Roger Clemens, who once made a hole-in-one.
