Ryo Hisatsune wasted no time turning heads at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, firing a sensational 10-under 62 to seize control of the opening round and rattle a leaderboard packed with talent and Rory Mcilroy chasing his heels
Hisatsune Sets the Standard Early
The 23-year-old Japanese star played with a composure that belied both his age and the magnitude of the stage. Six under through his opening nine, Hisatsune dismantled Pebble Beach with clinical precision, attacking pins and capitalizing on nearly every scoring opportunity. Four additional birdies on the back nine sealed a round that felt both explosive and methodical.
In a $20 million signature event featuring 18 of the world’s top 20 players, such dominance is rarely accidental. Hisatsune’s iron play was sharp, his putting steady, and his decision-making disciplined. By day’s end, he had not merely taken the lead—he had established a benchmark that forces the rest of the field into immediate pursuit mode.
Rory McIlroy Shows Signs of Frustration
Defending champion Rory McIlroy began his campaign at Spyglass Hill in electric fashion. Consecutive birdies on the 10th and 11th signaled intent, and another gain on the 17th kept momentum firmly on his side. The defining moment of his round came at the 14th, where he chipped in from a greenside bunker for eagle, an audacious flash of creativity that briefly ignited thoughts of something extraordinary.
But the round turned after the transition. Double bogeys at the par-three third and fifth halted his surge as the putter that had cooperated early suddenly cooled. Though McIlroy steadied himself with birdies on the second, fourth, and ninth, he ultimately signed for a four-under 68, respectable, yet six shots off the pace. It was a round that showcased both his brilliance and the razor-thin margins that define elite competition.
Scheffler Stumbles as Contenders Crowd the Chase
While McIlroy has ground to make up, world number one Scottie Scheffler faces an even steeper climb. The American, remarkably consistent since last year’s Players Championship, labored to an even-par 72. He acknowledged the unusual struggle, noting that scoring opportunities slipped away despite solid ball-striking. For a player accustomed to converting chances, it was an uncharacteristically quiet day.
Elsewhere, Sam Burns thrived at Pebble Beach, posting nine under to sit just one behind Hisatsune alongside Keegan Bradley. Chris Gotterup electrified the field with six consecutive birdies en route to eight under, joined by Tony Finau and Patrick Rodgers. Matt Fitzpatrick sits at six under, with Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry at five, keeping the leaderboard tightly compressed.
With the opening two rounds split between Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill before the weekend returns exclusively to Pebble, positioning remains fluid. Hisatsune holds the early advantage, but with McIlroy, Scheffler, and a host of proven contenders lurking, the tournament’s first chapter has set the stage for a compelling and unpredictable battle along California’s storied coastline.
