AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am: England's Harry Hall second after opening round as Gareth Bale impresses
Harry Hall mixed an eagle with seven birdies and two bogeys on his way to a seven-under par 64 at Monterey Peninsula; Gareth Bale impresses in tournament debut; coverage continues live on Friday from 4.30pm on Sky Sports Golf
Last Updated: 03/02/23 11:37am
England's Harry Hall sits tied-second and within a shot of early leader Hank Lebioda after the opening round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California.
Hall mixed an eagle with seven birdies and two bogeys to card a seven-under 64 at Monterey Peninsula - one of three courses used in the event - to share second spot with America duo Kurt Kitayama and Chad Ramey.
The 25-year-old - beginning on the back nine - posted back-to-back birdies from the 13th before an eagle-three at the par-five 16th helped him reach the turn in 33.
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Hall cancelled out a bogey at the first by firing five consecutive birdies from the third, briefly taking him into a share of the lead, before a three-putt bogey on his penultimate hole of the day dropped back one behind Lebioda.
"The eagle on 16, hit a little driver off the tee and the hybrid in. Holed a 20-footer," Hall said. "Coming down the last two holes (the wind) started to blow 45 miles an hour. It was crazy. Happy to get in at seven under today."
Eric Cole, Aaron Baddeley of Australia and Martin Trainer of France shot six-under 65s at Monterey Peninsula to sit in a share of fifth after the opening day.
Spyglass Hill is considered the most difficult of the three courses. The low round of the day at Spyglass Hill was Keith Mitchell's 67 after he carded six birdies and just one bogey.
Notable names include Englishmen Luke Donald (4-under 68 at Pebble Beach) and Justin Rose (3-under 69 at Pebble Beach), Viktor Hovland of Norway (2-under 70 at Spyglass Hill), 2017 champion Jordan Spieth (1-under 71 at Spyglass), defending champion Tom Hoge (1-under 71 at Pebble) and US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick of England (1-under 71 at Spyglass).
Meanwhile, recently retired Wales and Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale combined with playing partner Joseph Bramlett for a combined seven-under-par 65 in Bale's first appearance at the PGA Tour event.
Speaking after his round, the 33-year-old said he was definitely feeling the pressure.
"I think every amateur will tell you that. Even if we are used to playing in front of 80,000 or more on live TV it's a completely different sport," he said.
"It's good experience but luckily I hit one of my best shots down the first fairway."
On top of the Pro-Am leaderboard is Tom Dundon, the owner of ice hockey's Carolina Hurricanes, who paired with Will Gordon to shoot a 12-under 60 at Pebble.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, paired with Canada's Ben Silverman, is tied for third after a 10-under 62 at Spyglass Hill. Mitchell's partner was Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen; they are tied for 10th after an 8-under 64 at Spyglass.
Watch the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Early coverage continues on Friday from 4.30pm on Sky Sports Golf ahead of full coverage from 8pm.
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