Friday 13 February 2015 14:47, UK
Two-time major winner John Daly turned back the clock as he moved into contention on the opening day of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in California.
The 48-year-old, who has not won on the PGA Tour in more than 10 years, carded a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 at the host course to end the opening day among a group of six players just one shot behind early pacesetters JB Holmes and Justin Hicks.
Daly, winner of the PGA Championship in 1991 and The Open at St Andrews four years later, is currently a lowly No 839 in the world and often relies on sponsors’ invitations to tee up on Tour.
Daly told Sky Sports golf analyst Tim Barter: “I had a few gimme birdies today, I kept the ball below the hole and had a couple of good up and downs.
“I played pretty smart today and it’s been a long time since I started this well.”
A week on from a play-off loss to Australian Jason Day at the Farmers Insurance Oen on Sunday, joint-leader Holmes fired a 64 at Pebble, the highlight being an eagle two at the par-four 10th.
Hicks, another pro at Pebble, closed his round with an eagle three after reaching the green of the 533-yard par-five 18th in two shots, before rolling in an 18-foot putt for an eight-under-par 64.
Daly was joined on seven-under by Dudley Hart and JJ Henry who also carded 65s at Pebble Beach, as well as Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker and Chesson Hadley who all posted opening 64s on the par-71 Monterey Peninsula layout.
Former multiple major champion, Padraig Harrington, opened with a 68 at Pebble Beach – despite being a little wayward off the tee, while Alex Prugh had the best score at the par-72 Spyglass Hill, a six-under 66 that earned him a share of ninth place.
World No 4 Day, the highest-ranked player in the field, is eight shots adrift after an erratic opening round of level par. The Australian is tied with rookie Mark Hubbard, who proposed to his girlfriend after putting for par on the 18th.
Watch the tournament live on Sky Sports 4 HD over the remaining three days.
