Hisatsune Stuns at Pebble Beach, Takes Early Lead at AT&T Pro-Am
The 2026 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am kicked off with a bang on Thursday, as Ryo Hisatsune fired a stunning, bogey-free 10-under 62 to seize the early lead in the first signature event of the PGA Tour season. The performance marks a career low for the 23-year-old Japanese golfer, coming in his tournament debut at the iconic Pebble Beach Golf Links.
Hisatsune’s exceptional round builds on recent momentum, following a share of 10th place at last weekend’s WM Phoenix Open, where he carded a previous personal best of 63. He demonstrated remarkable precision on the greens, sinking putts from distances of 42, 31, 17, 16, 13, and 12 feet, and even chipped in for birdie on the par-4 16th to ignite a run of three consecutive birdies. “Anytime you can go bogey-free, regardless of where you’re playing, is always a good thing, and especially to do it around here,” remarked Sam Burns, who trails closely behind.
The demanding Pebble Beach course yielded to low scoring, playing nearly four strokes under par on Thursday, while Spyglass Hill presented a slightly tougher challenge, playing roughly two strokes more difficult. Despite favorable conditions, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler struggled to find his form, carding a 72 – ten strokes off the pace – mirroring a similar deficit he faced after the first round of the WM Phoenix Open.
Contenders Emerge
Sam Burns sits just one stroke back at 9-under, showcasing his own exceptional putting prowess, gaining over five strokes on the greens. Keegan Bradley also carded a 9-under, narrowly missing a chance to tie the Spyglass Hill course record on his final hole. Further down the leaderboard, a host of notable players are within striking distance.
Here’s a look at the top contenders:
- Ryo Hisatsune (-10): Demonstrating growing confidence, Hisatsune is building on recent successes, including a runner-up finish at Torrey Pines.
- Sam Burns, Keegan Bradley (-9): Both players displayed exceptional form on the greens, positioning themselves for a strong weekend.
- Chris Gotterup, Tony Finau, Patrick Rodgers (-8): A trio of seasoned players poised to challenge for the lead.
- Jordan Spieth (-6): Showing renewed promise, Spieth navigated Spyglass Hill with a bogey-free 66, highlighted by a remarkable eagle on the par-4 9th. “I thought I was really good on and around the greens,” Spieth stated. “I actually didn’t hit many greens for how kind of well I thought I was swinging the club.”
Scheffler’s Struggles Continue
For the second consecutive week, Scheffler faces an uphill battle, trailing by ten strokes after the opening round. Unlike his struggles at the WM Phoenix Open, which were attributed to a single disrupted hour, his performance at Pebble Beach was a more consistent struggle. He missed several short birdie opportunities and lost 2.50 strokes on approach shots, ranking 73rd in the 80-man field in that category.
Looking Ahead & Updated Odds
As the tournament progresses, the competition is expected to intensify. Here’s a look at the updated odds via DraftKings Sportsbook:
- Keegan Bradley: 8-1
- Chris Gotterup: 19/2
- Sam Burns: 10-1
- Ryo Hisatsune: 13-1
- Matt Fitzpatrick: 17-1
- Rory McIlroy: 17-1
- Jake Knapp: 18-1
- Patrick Rodgers: 18-1
While Scheffler currently sits at 35-1, a significant drop from his pre-tournament odds of 3-1, McIlroy, despite a pair of double bogeys, remains a strong contender, having beaten the scoring average on Spyglass Hill. His return to blade putters appears to be a positive adjustment. The stage is set for a thrilling weekend at Pebble Beach, with Hisatsune leading the charge and a host of stars eager to challenge for the title.
