It was a glorious day in Pebble Beach — the kind that makes you question whether there is a prettier place in the entire world. The pros and celebrities were in awe as they basked in sunshine and soaked in the magnificent setting.
Here were our five favorite things we saw Tuesday at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am:
1. IT’S AWESOME TO FINALLY SEE RORY MCILROY BLAST DRIVER ON NO. 18 AT PEBBLE BEACH.
What a sight — one of the world’s best drivers playing one of the world’s most beautiful, yet nerve-wracking driving holes.
Rory McIlroy is making his AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am debut, eight years after playing the 2010 U.S. Open as a 21-year-old. McIlroy shot 75-77 to miss the cut at Pebble Beach, while his fellow countryman Graeme McDowell went on to win the championship. McIlroy won his first U.S. Open the very next year.
2. IT’S REFRESHING TO SEE THE PROS ENJOY THESE COURSES AS MUCH AS WE WOULD.
The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am is played on three Top 100 courses. All are special, but Pebble Beach was the star.
“This place is unbelievable,” said newly minted Waste Management Phoenix Open champion Gary Woodland. “Probably the most scenic golf course we play all year.”
3. THE PROS CAN BE JUST AS STAR-STRUCK AS US, TOO.
From Dustin Johnson playing miniature golf with Aaron Rodgers, Larry Fitzgerald and Justin Verlander, to Jordan Spieth hanging out with Clay Walker on the picturesque seventh at Pebble Beach, this week continues to possess a wide-eyed charm unlike any other on the PGA TOUR.
4. THE SCENERY WAS UNBEATABLE EVERYWHERE.
Remember Tuesday last year?
5. LUKE DONALD PLAYED THE 18TH HOLE WITH ONE CLUB — AND MADE A PAR
The former No. 1 player in the world’s weapon of choice? A 5-iron. Remember this if anyone’s protecting a one-shot lead on Sunday.