Cantlay in contention after opening with 65
PEBBLE BEACH — Patrick Cantlay didn’t shoot 62 this time, but 65 isn’t halfbad, either.
Cantlay, the highest-ranked player in this year’s field at the AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm, planted himself in early contention Thursday. He finished with three consecutive birdies to post 6-under-par 65 at Monterey Peninsula.
One year ago, on the same course, Cantlay opened with 62 to take the early lead. He ultimately tied for third with Jordan Spieth, behind winner Daniel Berger and runner-up Maverick McNealy.
Cantlay stands No. 4 in the world ranking after a breakout 2020-21 season in which he won four times, including the FedEx Cup championship. He also has some strong history in the AT&T, including a tie for 11th in 2020.
“I’ve played well here a few times,” said Cantlay, who grew up in Southern California and played at UCLA. “I really like it up here. … When we get a week like this, with good weather, it’s the best.”
Cantlay also realizes Monterey Peninsula is probably the best scoring course when the conditions are tame, as they were Thursday. He faces a more imposing challenge Friday at Spyglass Hill, traditionally the toughest track in this tournament.
“The greens are so undulating at Spyglass that you really have to leave your golf ball in the right spot,” Cantlay said. “And there’s a few hole locations that you really have to know exactly what you’re doing.”
Hoge atop the heap: Tom
Hoge took the first-round lead by shooting a bogey-free, 9-under 63 at Pebble Beach, taking full advantage of the lack of wind.
Hoge started at No. 10, posted 33 on the back nine and then really found his groove on the front. He strung together six consecutive birdies, on Nos. 3-8, to zoom into sole possession of the lead.
Hoge, 32, played at Texas Christian and now lives in Fargo, N.D., not the typical residence for a PGA Tour pro. He earned nearly $1.7 million in the 2020-21 season, highlighted by two top-10 finishes (including a tie for fourth in the Northern Trust Open, a playoff event).
He also finished second in last month’s tour event near Palm Springs.
Briefly: Spieth, a three-time major champion, opened with 3-under 68 at Monterey Peninsula . ... Jason Day, also a major champ, shot 4-under 68 at Pebble Beach . ... Joseph Bramlett, who grew up in Saratoga and played at Stanford, led the way among players with Bay Area ties. He posted 68 at Monterey Peninsula.