Dustin Johnson - AP / Eric RisbergDefending champion Dustin Johnson got off to a great start at the AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-Am with birdies at his final five holes for a first round 64 and the lead at eight under.
Pebble Beach is known for windy conditions, although Thursday saw the course in calm weather. “It’s one of the best places you want to be when it’s good weather,” Johnson said. “It’s so pretty, too. It’s a fun place to be.”
The tournament features a rotation of courses including Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, and the Shore Course at Monterey Peninsula. The players play each course the first three days of the tournament and those making the cut play the final round at Pebble Beach.
J.B. Holmes made eagle on the difficult par-4 8th hole by holing out an eight iron from 175 yards on his way to shooting 65 at Pebble. He's joined at seven under by KJ Choi, who also shot 65 at Pebble.
David Duval had the round of the day at Spyglass Hill, shooting a five under 67 on the course considered to be the most difficult in the rotation. Duval continues to show signs of greatness at times but then tends to falter down the stretch. Hopefully he can play well for the entire tournament and make a run for the title.
Phil Mickelson, three time winner of the event, shot a two under par 68 at the Shore Course.
