Mickelson 4 Under Par "Marching Toward 6th Pebble Beach Win"... What About Johnson?

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Day 1 Tied 12th, Taylor Surprises with 8-Under Par Lead, Johnson at 3-Under Par

Phil Mickelson is taking a shot on the 1st hole on the first day of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Pebble Beach, California, USA = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Title defense, and a total of 6 wins."

Phil Mickelson (USA) has started his 'two-bird hunt.' On the 7th (Korean time), at the Spyglass Hill Course in Pebble Beach, California, USA (par 72, 6,953 yards), the first day of the PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (total prize money $7.8 million), he shot 4-under par and stood tied for 12th place. This tournament is the 'promised land' where he has already collected the winner's trophy five times in 1998, 2005, 2007, 2012, and 2019. Last year, after a five-day battle, he completed a 3-stroke victory.

Mickelson recorded 5 birdies and 1 bogey. He opened the scoring early with a birdie on the 2nd hole (par 4) and gained momentum with a birdie on the 5th hole (par 3). After that, he parred nine consecutive holes, but it was unfortunate that he made a bogey on the 15th hole (par 3). Fortunately, he swept three consecutive birdies at the final holes 16 to 18, securing the momentum for a second consecutive win. He unleashed a long drive of up to 315 yards, and his 'pinpoint iron shots' stood out, missing the green only three times.

It is noteworthy that Mickelson finished 3rd at the European Tour Saudi International, which ended on the 3rd. He has sufficiently warmed up, adjusting his winning shot touch. The second round at Monterey Peninsula (par 71, 6,958 yards) has become even more important. The stage is set for the first three rounds to be played in a pro-am format at Pebble Beach Golf Links (par 72, 6,816 yards) alongside world-class sports stars, singers, and actors.

Dustin Johnson (left) is playing with Wayne Gretzky, known as the 'legend of ice hockey,' on the first day of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Pebble Beach, California, USA = Getty Images/Multivitz

Nick Taylor (Canada) surged with an 8-under par at Monterey Peninsula, temporarily taking the top spot on the leaderboard. He is a player who made a splash by winning the Sanderson Farms Championship, included in the 2015 season in November, shortly after joining the PGA Tour in 2014. Leading with perfect play including an eagle on the 10th hole (par 5) and 6 birdies, he dreams of his first win in 6 years. Patrick Cantlay (USA), ranked 8th in the world, is tied for 2nd at 6-under par.

The 'return match' between Dustin Johnson (USA) and 'Saudi champ' Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) is in a lull. Johnson reduced 3 strokes at Spyglass Hill and is tied for 24th. McDowell stayed tied for 44th at 2-under par on the same course. It is interesting that Johnson is particularly strong in this tournament, having achieved back-to-back wins in 2009 and 2010. Every year, he draws more spotlight by participating alongside his father-in-law, the legendary ice hockey player Wayne Gretzky.

Locally, not only Gretzky but also NFL quarterback veterans Tony Romo and Matt Ryan, country music singer Jake Owen, surfer and actor Kelly Slater, comedian Alfonso Ribeiro, and rapper Colt Ford, among other amateur experts, gathered to create off-course buzz. The Korean contingent is in a comprehensive crisis. Kang Sung-hoon (33, CJ Logistics) and Choi Kyung-ju (50, SK Telecom) are tied for 132nd at 3-over par, and Kim Si-woo (25) is tied for 148th at 5-over par.

Choi Kyung-ju is examining the putting line on the 2nd hole during the first day of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Pebble Beach, California, USA - Photo by Getty Images/Multibits

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.