Golf: Hunter Mahan, Russell Knox share lead at Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Pebble Beach, Calif. • Hunter Mahan was bracing for the worst of Pebble Beach, his golf bag weighed down with rain gear and everything else to handle nasty weather.

Instead, he was reminded how much he loves this place.

It helps that Mahan drilled a 3-wood onto the 18th green for a two-putt birdie that gave him a 6-under 66 and a share of the lead to par with Russell Knox in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.

Better yet, the rain everyone was expecting early in the afternoon never showed up.

So when Mahan was asked about the most interesting part of the day, all he could think of was that it was boring — in a good way.

"I had a good time with my partner. The pace was great. The weather was good," he said. "I think the most interesting thing was we had perfect weather when it was supposed to rain at noon. We were all expecting rain. The bag probably weighs 100 pounds right now."

Mahan took advantage of a gorgeous day by attacking Pebble Beach, the place to be when the conditions are calm. He missed only two greens — one of those on the edge — and only had one birdie attempt longer than 20 feet.

It was a good start, but nothing more. With three different courses in the rotation, weather that can change without notice and one course with a different par, the players won't have a good idea where they stand until after three rounds on Saturday. —

Leaderboard

Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Russell Knox -6

Hunter Mahan -6

Five at -5

Also

Phil Mickelson -1

Daniel Summerhays +4