Ranking the Top 8 Bill Murray Moments at the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

Before we look at the top eight Bill Murray moments from Pebble Beach, a disclaimer: This list is flawed, incomplete and potentially totally wrong. No matter how much research you do, the best Bill Murray stories from Pebble Beach (or anywhere really) aren't reported. Heck, that's why there's a website devoted to encounters with the comic icon (billmurraystories.com). 

With that in mind, here are the best Bill Murray stories from Pebble Beach.

Murray is committed to having a good time at Pebble Beach, which has drawn the ire of fellow competitors, some fans and even former commissioner Dean Beman.   

Being relaxed is essential for the the Caddyshack star. As he told reporters following his 2011 win: "Staying loose, I mean, the best people in any profession, the whole thing is about being as relaxed as you can. Michael Jordan is all about being relaxed. He's the greatest there was and couldn't be more relaxed and great actors are the same way. There's almost no tension in them." 

Jerry Stewart of NCGA compiled a brilliant chronology of Murray anecdotes. Unless otherwise cited, the stories here are derived from his work. 

And like all good lists, there's (some) logic to this ranking. In ranking the moments, we're looking at humor, general outrageousness, place in the greater pantheon of Bill Murray lore with bonus points to the moments actually having something to do with the game of golf.

Click through for the list, and please feel free to add your own memorable Murray moments from the "Cinderella story" in the comments.  

8. Teddy Bear Punt

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While this incident wasn't the most notable, it serves as a stand-in for all the ridiculous physical comedy Murray has engaged in his 20 years of participation in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

In 1998, Bill Murray approached a woman holding a stuffed teddy bear in the crowd. She handed the bear to Murray, who spun around with it, wound up, and punted it back into the crowd.  

And just so you don't think Murray is a jerk, he and partner Scott Simpson conducted the AT&T Pebble Beach Junior Golf clinic that year. 

7. Gopher Attack

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In 2005, Bill Murray did a nice thing, then he beat up a gopher. 

Murray donated the cash he made from the Celebrity Challenge ($14,000) to the Salinas library system. 

The Caddyshack star met a life-size replica of the gopher from the film, which (of course) was dancing to "I'm All Right," the film's title track. 

This, apparently, was too much for Murray, who bludgeoned the gopher with his putter. 

6. "I Feel Like a Loser"

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In 2009, Bill Murray (clad in a kimono) missed a three-footer during the Celebrity Challenge. The missed putt essentially handed the competition to the team of Michael Bolton and Kevin James. 

Murray was despondent after the miss. 

"It was no good at all," he told the gallery. "It's great to be here but basically...well, I feel like a loser."

The moment conveys an important point about Murray: He's not just there to screw around, he wants to play well (and frequently does). 

5. "The Beer Was Good"

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A user by the name of RBLove posted his account of meeting Bill Murray at Pebble Beach on Smithmag.net:

The gentleman was working with a catering company at one of the palatial homes that border the golf course. 

The abode in question bordered Pebble's 14th hole.

As the gentleman saw Bill Murray's group approaching the tee, he made the interesting decision to take a beer down to the actor. 

As the user writes:  '“God bless you for this,” is all he said. Then he took a hit of the beer. Tipped it all the way back."

After the round, reporters questioned Murray about the incident. "The beer was good," was all he had to say. 

4. "Mommy, I Climbed a Tree with Bill Murray!"

ERIC RISBERG/Associated Press

Bill Murray saved an 11-year old girl at Pebble Beach. 

During the third round, 11-year old Sarah Peterson was separated from her parents. Seeing this, Murray told security he'd take care of the girl. 

The comedian then proceeded to take the girl up a tree with him and hold a faux auction for ownership of her. After the family reunited with the girl, she famously told her parents that she'd climbed a tree with Bill Murray. 

3. The Beginning of the Madness

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In his maiden appearance at Pebble Beach in 1994, Bill Murray set the tone early. He knocked spectators over, made a woman do stretching exercises, sat in a fan's lap and pulled a scorer's hair.

After missing a short putt, he chastised himself saying, "I’m no good at all. I’ve got the clothes, but that’s it.” 

Deane Beman, PGA Tour commissioner at the time, didn't like what he was seeing from the Ghostbusters star one bit. 

Larry Dorman of the New York Times wrote at the the time: 

"

You see, the PGA Tour in general and the PGA Tour commissioner, Deane Beman, in particular, do not care for Murray's brand of vaudeville. Beman criticized Murray before the tournament began, called his behavior "inappropriate and detrimental to golf," and had the tournament's executive director, Lou Russo, warn Murray to tone it down. If Beman has his way, Murray will not be a part of the Pebble Beach festivities next year or any other year

"

Fortunately, Beman's opinion wasn't the prevailing one and Murray was back the next year. 

2. “I Can’t Believe I’m Taking a Check from Someone Like You"

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Bill Murray was an unofficial winner in 1996 with partner Glen Campbell (the tour canceled the tournament after three rounds). 

A shoot-out of sorts erupted after the cancellation and Murray, who was wearing overalls, wins the competition. He also unleashed an exploding golf ball during the course of the event. 

AT&T decided to give Campbell and Murray the $20,000 winner's check. Standing next to the denim-clad Murray, Pro-Am chairman Bob Allen said, “I can’t believe I’m giving a check to someone dressed like you.”

Murray answered: “I can’t believe I’m taking a check from someone like you.”

1. Winning the Darn Thing in 2011

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Bill Murray and D.A. Points won the pro-am portion of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in 2011.

Writing about the final, Art Spander of the Los Angeles Times said: "Points, who so idolizes Murray he asked to play with him in this historic tournament on the Monterey Peninsula and who can on cue recite Murray's lines from the 31-year-old film, shot a five-under-par 67."

The pair tallied a best-ball score of 35-under-par 251 for the four rounds.

After the win, Murray said "I'm just thinking of turning professional."