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Jones sets early pace at Pebble Beach
Little-known American Kent Jones upstaged some of the biggest names in the game by charging one stroke clear in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am first round in California on Thursday.
The 41-year-old journeyman from New Mexico fired a six-under-par 66 in relatively benign conditions at Pebble Beach Golf Links, one of three venues being used this week.
John Mallinger carded a 67 at Poppy Hills to lie one off the pace, level with fellow Americans Roland Thatcher and Tour rookie Brad Adamonis, who both opened at Spyglass Hill.
Long-hitting JB Holmes, who won last week's Phoenix Open in a playoff with Phil Mickelson, was among a group of ten bunched on 68 after starting out at Spyglass Hill.
Jones, who improved his status on the PGA Tour by tying for 11th at last year's qualifying school, birdied his first two holes in glorious sunshine to reach the turn in four-under 32.
He rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-four 4th, his 13th hole of the day, before picking up another stroke at the par-three 7th, where he hit his tee shot to six feet.
"I got through the back nine before the wind really started blowing," Jones told reporters after a bogey-free round. "Getting under par early helps you relax on the greens here at Pebble and I putted great today.
"In the practice rounds, I was hitting the ball okay and my putting was feeling better so I felt like I had a chance to maybe play well this week.
"But I didn't expect to putt as well as I did today, that is a surprise," added Jones, whose best PGA Tour finish was a tie for sixth at the 2006 Lumber Classic.
SLOPPY START
Three-time winner and champion Mickelson overcame a sloppy start to card a 71 at Poppy Hills.
The American left-hander bogeyed four of the first ten holes before picking up his first shot of the day at the par-three 11th. He eagled the par-five 12th and birdied the next two holes on his way to a back nine of four-under 32.
"At Poppy, you want to shoot low," said Mickelson, who won last year's title by a record-equalling five shots. "Although it's not a great start, I at least put myself in position.
"If I can get a good round in tomorrow at Spyglass, I can get myself right back in the tournament."
Of the other big names, 2004 champion Vijay Singh carded a 70 at Pebble Beach to finish level with twice winner Davis Love III, who opened at Spyglass Hill.
World number six Jim Furyk shot a 71, also at Spyglass, while British Open champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland, playing his first PGA Tour event of the year, returned a 72 at Pebble Beach.
The field of 180 professionals and 180 amateurs play each of the three venues over the first three days before the leading 60 professionals and ties qualify for Sunday's final round on the Pebble Beach Golf Links.
