AT&T Pebble Beach pro-am: day one

JB Holmes sets early pace as two multiple-Major winners return to form

JB Holmes set the pace at the AT&T Pebble Beach pro-am by holing out from 123 yards for an eagle in the first hole and carded an opening round 64 – the lowest opening round of his career. He is tied at the top of the leaderboard with Justin Hicks.

Hicks and Holmes were playing at Pebble Beach, typically the easiest course in the rotation in benign conditions.

Six players lie are tied one shot behind Hicks and Holmes. They include John Daly who made a bogey-free 7-under 65.

"I had a few gimme birdies today, I kept the ball below the hole and had a couple of good up and downs. I played pretty smart today and it’s been a long time since I started this well,” the 48-year-old reflected afterwards.

Daly hasn't made the cut at the AT&T Pebble Beach pro-am since his rookie season in 1991. He hasn’t won on tour since February 2004 and is ranked 839th in the world.

Daly was not the only multiple-Major wining having a return to form. After his eight-foot birdie putt on the 18th at Pebble Beach lipped out, Padraig Harrington signed for a 68.

The three-time Major champion, now ranked 289th in the world has missed the cut in his past two tournaments, as has John Daly.

If one of last years European vice captain is having a good time of it on the Monterey Peninsula, the same cannot be said for last year’s Ryder Cup captain.

Paul McGinley had his passport, golf clubs, iPad and some Ryder Cup memorabilia stolen from his rental car shortly after his arrival.

McGinley had to play with clubs of a more recent design to those which were stolen. He explained: “I was on Trackman for quite a while getting the yardages right and then adjusting for the heavy sea air, which makes things complicated.” He shot 73 and is 134th.

AT&T Pebble Beach pro-am leaderboard