When Phil Mickelson blistered Spyglass Hill Golf Course last year in the opening round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, shooting a record-setting 62, many though it would be a while before a score that low was seen on the course again.

Luke Donald thought otherwise and took just 366 days to rewrite the record books, opening this year’s event with a 10-under-par 62 to lead the event by a stroke over Mike Weir, who played at Pebble Beach.

Mickelson used his opening round 62 at Spyglass as momentum to win the event and Donald is certainly hoping for the same result.

"I am not going to try to get ahead of myself," Donald said. "But it is definitely set me up well for the tournament."

There are three courses used in the pro-am, which includes amateurs and celebrities. In addition to Spyglass, Pebble Beach Golf Links and Poppy Hills are used for three rounds and then a cut is established and the final day played at Pebble Beach.

The best score on Poppy Hills was Aaron Oberholser, who shot a seven-under 65 and is tied for third with Michael Allen and Nick Watney.

Spyglass has traditionally played more difficult, but Donald made it look easy. He was five under after his first five holes, aided by a 45-foot birdie putt on number 12 and an eagle on the par-five 14th where he holed a sand wedge from 96 yards.

"It was obviously a great start," Donald said. "I kept going, didn’t really threaten to make bogey and kept it in play. I hit good solid shots and just felt very comfortable out there."

Donald did not quit after his five-hole spurt. He made a birdie on his sixth hole for a front side 30, which also tied Mickelson for low nine at Spyglass.

On his back nine, Donald continued rolling in birdies. He made a four-foot birdie on his 10th hole and then closed it out with a 12-foot birdie putt.

"It is nice to finish strong," Donald said. "I knew my putt was for a 62, I think my lowest round on the Tour was 64 before that, so I am excited."

Weir put together his own streak, making five straight birdies from the third at Pebble Beach. Weir began, however with a bogey on the first hole and thought his day would be far worse than it was.

"It was funny, funny how it turns out like that," Weir said. "I was not feeling really comfortable with my swing."

Irish representation comes in the form of Paul McGinley and Graeme McDowell. The latter shot 69 over the Spyglass layout while McGinley opened with a one-under 71.

Though Donald tied Mickelson’s course record he knows the two were shot in totally different conditions. When Mickelson shot his 62 last year, the course was wet from rain the night before and playing much longer. This year’s opening round saw 75 degrees and fairways that were running and no wind.

"It was dead calm and I was not thinking about the wind at all out there," Donald said. "I can’t really remember what the wind was like last year, but I don’t think it was too much."

Still Donald is not discounting his round.

"It’s still not a short course and the greens are quite slopey in parts and you have to hit good shots," Donald said. "I managed my game really well and because of it, I felt very confident."

Others were impressed with Donald’s round as well.

"He could stay that hot," said Oberholser. "He has the absolute perfect temperament to play this game. He has the perfect temperament to win any golf tournament anywhere in the world. He is going to be a tough guy to catch if he continues to play the way he is playing."