'15 Million Dollar Man' Cantlay "5-Under Start"... Hogi Leads Surprise with 9-Under Par

AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Day 1: Tied 5th at Monterey Peninsula, Korea's Kang Sung-hoon at 2 Under Par

Patrick Cantlay is executing a bunker shot on the first day of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Pebble Beach, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] 'The $15 million man' Patrick Cantlay is on the march for his first win of the 2022 season.

On the 4th (Korean time), at the Pebble Beach Monterey Peninsula Golf Course in California, USA (par 71, 6,957 yards), the first day of the PGA Tour AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (total prize money $8.7 million) opened, and Cantlay posted 6-under-par to tie for 5th place. Tom Hoge (both from the USA) took a surprise lead with 9-under-par at Pebble Beach Golf Links (par 72, 6,972 yards), while S?amus Power (Ireland) is chasing in 2nd place, one stroke behind at 8-under-par.

Cantlay recorded eight birdies and two bogeys that day. He got off to a strong start with consecutive birdies on holes 3 and 4 and a birdie on the 6th hole (par 5). Although consecutive bogeys on holes 7 and 8 were disappointing, he recovered with 'stepping stone birdies' on holes 11 and 13, then swept three consecutive birdies on holes 16 through 18 at the end. He unleashed his 'computer iron shots' with a maximum drive of 325 yards and a green hit rate of 77.78%, and above all, his 'stingy putting' stood out with an average of 1.43 putts per hole.

Cantlay was last year's 'Playoff (PO) Champion.' He reached four wins including the Zozo Championship in October 2020 (counted in the 2021 season), the Memorial Tournament in June 2021, the BMW Championship in August, and the Tour Championship in September. This year, he has already warmed up with a 4th place at the Sentry Tournament last month and 9th at the American Express. This time, with world No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain) and other 'Top 3' players absent, and defending champion Daniel Berger (USA) withdrawing due to injury, Cantlay's chances of winning have increased even more.

After touring three courses including Spyglass Hill (par 72, 7,041 yards) alongside amateur golfers such as world-class sports stars and Hollywood actors, the winner will be decided again on the final day at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Cantlay has a thrilling memory of recording 10-under-par on the first day at Pebble Beach Golf Links last year. Hoge has emerged as a dark horse. On the 23rd of last month, Hoge finished 2nd at the American Express, appearing close to his first PGA Tour win.

Jason Day (Australia) is tied for 15th at 4-under-par, and 2017 champion Jordan Spieth (USA) is tied for 33rd at 3-under-par. It is interesting that Spieth, who started last year’s final day tied for the lead, stumbled with 2-under-par and dropped to a tie for 3rd, aiming for redemption. From Korea, Kang Sung-hoon (35) is tied for 51st at 2-under-par, Noh Seung-yul (32) is tied for 74th at 1-under-par, and Bae Sang-moon (36) is tied for 111th at 1-over-par. All three played at Spyglass Hill.

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