Giants pitcher Matt Cain and 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh were on opposite sides of a foursome in the first round of the Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am Thursday. The pitcher got the better of the coach on Day 1, but barely.
The pairing of Cain and Matt Bettencourt finished the day four under, while Harbaugh and Ryan Moore finished up the day three under.
"I think we put ourselves in a good spot after the first day," Cain said. "Playing at Spyglass is the real deal."
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One of Cain's highlights came on the Par-5 14th. Cain reached the green in two and two-putted for birdie, his final putt good from about four feet. On the same hole, Harbaugh picked up his par putt, but was still able to fist pump as his partner Moore sunk his birdie.
Cain and Harbaugh turned in similarly impressive rounds as amateurs. Both men birdied hole 9. Both hit nice drives on 10. On 12, Harbaugh's great approach left him a 20-foot birdie put, which he missed, but converted the par. The same hole, Cain's chip from just off the green snuggled close and he tapped in for par as well.
"He's actually really good off the tee," Cain said of Harbaugh's golf game. "He's good at scrambling around the golf course."
The compliment should carry significant weight, as prof golfer Bettencourt said there were only a handful of guys in the whole tournament that were deeper off the tee than Cain.
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"My individual game?" Harbaugh repeated, "I was pleased."
It will be the same foursome teeing off at Monterey Peninsula Country Club Friday at 8:11 a.m. Alex Smith, who caddied for Harbaugh Thursday, will be relieved of his duties by 49ers quarterbacks coach Geep Chryst.
Other notable pairings include Giants President Larry Baer and Tim Petrovic, who shot a combined five under. Warriors owner Joe Lacob and Gavin Coles shot a five under. Former 49er Harris Barton and Greg Owen shot a seven under. Huey Lewis, who sang the national anthem at the 49ers divisional round game with the Saints, shot a seven under with John Mallinger. Tony Romo and Tiger Woods are also at seven under.
Pairings of Danny Lee and Steve Green, and Padraig Harrington and J.P. McManus lead the field after Day 1 at thirteen under.