A timely rainout

When the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am was canceled because of inclement weather, it proved a boon to more than the winner, Dustin Johnson. Another beneficiary was Kevin Chappell, a former UCLA star who won the NCAA individual championship and led the Bruins to the team championship last spring.

Chappell, playing in only his third PGA Tour event (he missed the cut in two starts last year) by virtue of a sponsor's exemption, was tied for sixth heading into the final round. As a result of the washout, he finished the tournament tied for sixth, which gives him an exemption into the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club this week. Of course, had the fourth round been played, Chappell might have retained or even improved his position. Then again he might have fallen from the top 10.

Chappell, incidentally, also earned $197,487.50, which dwarfs the $4,000 he earned in four Gateway Tour starts this year.

-- John Strege