Timberlake attracts crowd, Reavie takes early AT&T lead
Timberlake attracts crowd, Reavie takes early AT&T lead
PEBBLE BEACH — As Justin Timberlake walked briskly into the maze of trees alongside the 11th hole at Spyglass Hill on Thursday, he was not really a famous singer.
Mostly, he was just another frustrated golfer.
Timberlake, without breaking stride, nodded and replied nonchalantly, “I can hit it that bad.”
Moments later, after discovering his ball resting against a twig — and with several trees blocking his path back to the fairway — his caddie warned him about hitting the shot too hard.
Timberlake laughed and said, “Man, I’m just trying to make contact.”
Even with this unwelcome detour, Timberlake’s presence illustrates the essential spirit of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am — and why this year’s edition is creating fresh buzz.
Make no mistake, the celebrities are driving the boat.
No offense to Jordan Spieth, the world’s No. 1 player, but Timberlake and Mark Wahlberg and Aaron Rodgers and Larry Fitzgerald held the crowd’s attention during Thursday’s opening round.
The pros still did their thing, taking full advantage of calm conditions.
Chez Reavie, a 34-year-old journeyman, seized the early lead by shooting 8-under-par 63 at Monterey Peninsula.
Justin Rose posted 66 at Spyglass to plant himself in contention.
Spieth and Jason Day shot matching 71s at Spyglass.
[...] what makes the AT&T distinctive, separating it from other events on the PGA Tour calendar, are the moments Rose witnessed on his last few holes.
[...] on their uphill hike to the 17th tee, Rose marveled at the pack of exuberant spectators shrieking “Justin!” — and not for the 2013 U.S. Open champion.
“Everyone was under 21 and 80 percent female,” Rose said.
Timberlake actually helped persuade Rose to play in this tournament for the first time in his career.
When Rose made his birdie putt on No. 12 to reach 6-under, Timberlake smiled widely and proclaimed, “Man, did I pick the right horse!” Later, when Rose sank a 50-foot birdie putt on No. 18, Timberlake offered enthusiastic congratulations and retrieved the ball from the hole.
Five groups behind them, a similar story line played out with two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and actor-producer Wahlberg.
Wahlberg hadn’t played in the past five AT&Ts, but none other than Clint Eastwood asked him to return.
Wahlberg, no fool, couldn’t turn down Dirty Harry.
[...] he came back — and brought fellow left-hander Watson with him.
Wahlberg and Watson wore matching golf shirts (thanks to Oakley, one of Watson’s sponsors) and clearly enjoyed their journey around Spyglass.
The pace was swift by AT&T Pro-Am standards, but not by Wahlberg’s standards.
“Home by 9 with some pancakes, and my wife is happy,” Wahlberg said.
Watson and Wahlberg prepared for the tournament by playing friendly matches during practice rounds this week.
The vibe changed Thursday, when they suddenly became teammates instead of adversaries.
“It’s the first day Bubba was actually supportive and not trying to take my money,” Wahlberg said.
The day didn’t go especially well for Watson, golf-wise — he shot 1-over 73 — but he seemed to take it in stride.
[...] here they were, playing one of the world’s most picturesque courses on a sparkling winter day.
All in all, not a terrible place to be, even if the number on his scorecard was higher than desired.
Ron Kroichick is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.
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Key: MP — Monterey Peninsula, PB — Pebble Beach, SH — Spyglass Hill