Ryo Hisatsune took an early commanding lead at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Thursday, firing an impressive 8-under 62 at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Hisatsune’s performance came amid near-perfect weather conditions and a day that saw low scores widely across the courses. The Japanese golfer built momentum with a trio of birdies early in his round, added a rare birdie on the par-4 ninth hole, and closed the day with three consecutive birdies to top the leaderboard.
Hisatsune arrived at this Signature Event with confidence, having recently finished runner-up at the Farmers Insurance Open. Sharing close pursuit were Keegan Bradley and Sam Burns, both just one stroke behind. Bradley posted his score at Spyglass Hill Golf Course, which proved tougher than Pebble Beach on this day, with scoring averages about one-and-a-half strokes higher.
Chris Gotterup Continues Hot Streak with Another Strong Round
Chris Gotterup extended an extraordinary stretch of consistent high performance by carding an 8-under 64 on the second day of the Pro-Am, marking a streak of nine consecutive birdies over two rounds across two distinct courses. Gotterup, fresh off clinching a playoff victory at the WM Phoenix Open just last week, displayed a seamless transition from desert conditions to the coastal environment, sustaining his remarkable form on the greens and fairways.
He began his day with a short birdie putt on the first hole, followed by a critical 10-footer on the par-5 second and a wedge shot that nearly landed for birdie on the third. By the time he reached the sixth hole, he was already six under through six holes.
“I was kind of just coasting along. You don’t really realize it in the moment, and then when you look up you’re like, ‘Wow, I’m 6 under through six.’ That’s nice.”
— Chris Gotterup, PGA TOUR player
Scottie Scheffler Struggles Amid the Scoring Surge
Scottie Scheffler faced difficulties Thursday at Pebble Beach, joining a small group of just 12 players who failed to break par on the day. The 2022 PGA TOUR Player of the Year dealt with several challenges, beginning on the par-5 second hole where a clump of mud on his ball caused him to misjudge his shot, sending it 30 yards left of the green and setting back his momentum early.
Scheffler managed only one birdie in the opening holes before dealing with a strong prevailing breeze in the afternoon, which further complicated his finishing stretch. His approach shots lacked precision, hitting only two within 10 feet and missing both putts, while his longest successful putt was no longer than eight feet.
“I feel like typically I’m good at scoring, and today I felt like I didn’t score at all, Anything that kind of went wrong seemed to be going that direction. I actually feel like I’m playing pretty well. Just one of those days.”
— Scottie Scheffler, PGA TOUR player
He acknowledged the difficulty of finding birdies in the current conditions, noting the low scores posted by others on the leaderboard.
“I guess the challenge is making a bunch of birdies. That was a challenge for me today, I’m looking at the leaderboard right now and it looks like 7 under gets you in the top 10, so scores are pretty low.”
— Scottie Scheffler, PGA TOUR player
Sam Burns Finds His Rhythm with a Late-Burst of Birdies
Sam Burns experienced a quieter start on the front nine but staged a remarkable surge on the back nine at Pebble Beach, exploiting the holes overlooking the ocean with aggressive and skillful shot-making. Burns produced five birdies over a six-hole stretch, highlighted by a remarkable chip-in from just under 30 yards on the 13th hole.
His putting was a standout throughout the round, sinking several long-range putts, including attempts from 45 feet on the 10th and 30 feet on the 17th holes. Burns’ consistency helped him avoid bogeys and post one of the lower rounds in the field.
“I made a significant amount of putts and feel like I was hitting it pretty nice. It was a good combination for today.”
— Sam Burns, PGA TOUR player
Key Performances at Spyglass Hill Intensify the Competition
Tony Finau and Patrick Rodgers both scored 64 at Spyglass Hill, joining Gotterup in a tie for fourth place, showcasing the depth of talent competing across the various courses at the Pro-Am. Former Pebble Beach champions Nick Taylor and Tom Hoge also carded strong rounds of 65, maintaining their status as contenders.
Jordan Spieth made a notable impact with a spectacular eagle at Spyglass, holing out a wedge from 116 yards to turn in 5-under par. Spieth remains well-positioned to contend as the tournament progresses.
Rory McIlroy Faces Early Challenges in Return to the PGA TOUR
Defending champion Rory McIlroy, playing his first PGA TOUR event of the year, struggled to find his usual form during the opening round. His two triple-putt double bogeys on the par-5s at Spyglass Hill contributed significantly to a 68, relegating him outside the top tier early on. McIlroy will look to rebound in the coming rounds as the competition intensifies.
Course Conditions and Strategy Shape the Opening Day Results
The Pebble Beach Pro-Am took advantage of calm conditions with light wind, especially at Pebble Beach Golf Links, which often plays tough with coastal breezes. The absence of strong wind allowed players like Hisatsune and Gotterup to string together multiple birdies, particularly over the opening seven holes that are typically vulnerable to scoring.
Conversely, Spyglass Hill demanded greater precision, evidenced by a higher scoring average. Scoring opportunities were still present but required strategic play and skill, which top scorers like Bradley and Finau capitalized on.
Early Leaderboard Highlights Demonstrate a Competitive Field
After the initial round, the leaderboard features a mix of emerging stars and established veterans. Ryo Hisatsune, Chris Gotterup, Sam Burns, and Keegan Bradley set a brisk pace, while Scottie Scheffler works to recover from his tough start. The mix of courses and conditions is expected to create ongoing drama throughout the tournament’s weekend rounds.
What to Watch Moving Forward in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
As the tournament advances, players will face fluctuating weather and course conditions that could influence scoring and rankings. Ryo Hisatsune’s early surge places him as a clear player to watch, yet the depth of the field, including veterans like Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, promises an intense battle for the title.
Scheffler’s effort to bounce back will be closely followed, as he has the game to climb back into contention. Meanwhile, consistent putting and course management at challenging venues like Spyglass Hill will likely determine who remains in the running as the Pro-Am unfolds across the famed Monterey Peninsula.
