Click here to subscribe today or Login.
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — D.A. Points knew it was going to be a great week at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am when he found out Bill Murray was his amateur partner.
It got even better on Thursday.
Points found Murray’s antics to be more amusing than annoying, and it showed in his play. With eight birdies on the Shore Course at Monterey Peninsula, he opened with a 7-under 63 and shared the lead with Steve Marino.
Some might think he shot a 63 despite having Murray in his ear all day. Points says he shot 63 because of him.
“I know people talk about his antics, or he’s a showman while he’s out there, making lots of comments and talking while people are getting ready to hit shots,” Points said. “To be honest, it really loosens me up and makes me between shots not be grinding so hard on what I’m doing. It helps me take a little bit of a breather between shots and joke around with him.”
There was plenty to enjoy for most everyone on a glorious day on the peninsula, with only a mild breeze to accompany views that were as spectacular as ever. Beyond the weather, the conditions on three courses were as good as they have ever been. The fairways were particularly firm on the Shore Course, and the greens were fast everywhere.
The rounds took six hours, as usual, but some of that was because of the speed of the greens.
McIlroy’s 65 takes lead in Dubai, Woods shoots 71
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Rory McIlroy upstaged the world’s top three golfers with a 7-under 65 Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Dubai Desert Classic, four shots better than No. 1 Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer and six ahead of an inconsistent Tiger Woods.
McIlroy, whose only European Tour win came in Dubai two years ago, had eight birdies to go with one bogey at the Emirates Golf Club. The seventh-ranked McIlroy took the early lead and held it. Sergio Garcia (67) and Thomas Aiken (67) trailed by two shots in windy conditions.
“I really had a lot of iron shots and got away with a couple of drives that I was quite fortunate to make birdies from,” the 21-year-old McIlroy said. “I had a putt for a 64 on the last that didn’t quite go in. But I’ll take 65 in these conditions any day.”
Woods shot a 71 and had problems early in the day, twice going to 2 over. But he eagled the 18th hole after hitting a 3-wood about 250 yards to the green.
“I struggled today with ball flight,” he said. “My trajectory wasn’t what I wanted on a lot of shots, and consequently, I could never get a ball pin high especially when the wind is blowing this hard.”