Travis Kelce’s entry into the 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am came with a clear boost in ticket demand. According to the Associated Press tournament director Steve John said more than $60,000 worth of tickets were sold within 12 hours of Kelce being announced in the pro-am field.
The Kansas City Chiefs tight end teamed up with one-time PGA Tour winner Keith Mitchell and interest surged almost immediately. Speculation around Taylor Swift only added to it.
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Rumors floated Friday morning that she might show up at Pebble Beach, but she never did. Even so, John said roughly $21,000 in second-round tickets were sold between 6:30 p.m. Thursday and 6:30 a.m. Friday just hours before Kelce teed off
“It was busy without her,” Mackenzie Hughes told the Associated Press. “With her I think it would have literally been pandemonium.”
By Friday morning, large crowds had gathered along the fairways. More than 1,000 spectators lined the left side of the first fairway at Pebble Beach hoping to see Kelce hit his opening shot.
Travis Kelce played Spyglass Hill on Thursday alongside Mitchell, PGA Tour pro Mackenzie Hughes and former NFL quarterback Alex Smith. He declined interviews during the event but Hughes spoke about the attention surrounding him.
“He even said it hasn’t always been this way. 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,” Hughes said of the attention surrounding Swift.
On the course Kelce and Mitchell finished tied for 35th in the pro-am standings at 11 under par.
Travis Kelce earns praise for his game at Pebble Beach
Beyond the hype, Travis Kelce let his golf do the talking. Teaming up with Keith Mitchell, Kelce drew attention for more than just his name.
During a walk-and-talk with Golf Channel, Mitchell was asked what it has been like playing alongside the NFL star.
“Humbling. He hits it way farther than I do,” Mitchell said.
Mitchell opened with a 74 and followed it up with a 5 under 67 in round two. After 36 holes, he is tied for 60th. Kelce, meanwhile, appeared to be enjoying every moment of the week.
When asked what draws him to golf, the three-time Super Bowl champion kept it simple.
“It’s just the beauty of the course to be honest. I know I’m not going to come out here and shoot low. I’m just going to have some fun doing it. And I’m not going to lie. Once I found out I was playing with old cashmere Keith over here I had to just try and match his swagger and, oh, how smooth the guy is, man.”
Kelce also spoke about what the game gives him personally.
“Just to get away from reality to be honest. Stand over a ball, hit it as hard as I can, let some steam off and just enjoy the views.”
When asked what part of Mitchell’s game he would like to copy, Travis Kelce added:
“Like I said, just the swagger, how smooth he is, man. I knew I brought out the old visor for it. I got the cashmere on. We’re just trying to have a good time. He’s shooting low right now which is awesome.”
Travis Kelce recently teed it up in the pro-am at the WM Phoenix Open as well and looked comfortable there. At Pebble Beach, he once again showed that while football remains his profession, golf is far more than just a casual hobby.
Edited by Sonali Verma
