Spaniard provides the unknown factor at the U.S. Open

Reporting from Pebble Beach — Remember Nick Dougherty? How about Justin Hicks?

It wouldn’t be the first round of a U.S. Open if the top of the leaderboard didn’t feature at least one unknown. And the Pebble Beach Open did not disappoint.

When the week began, Rafael Cabrera-Bello simply hoped to find his golf clubs. They got lost en route from Madrid to Philadelphia, so he couldn’t take part in a Monday practice round. He walked much of the course instead.

So maybe practice is overrated. Cabrera-Bello, the 26-year-old Spaniard, made four birdies and shot a one-under-par 70 Thursday to claim a share of the early lead.

It was remarkable considering Cabrera-Bello is a PGA Tour neophyte having a dreadful year on the European Tour, finishing no higher than a tie for 17th in 15 events.

The key to success Thursday, the easygoing Cabrera-Bello said, was his attitude.

Asked what he expected for the rest of the week, he replied: “Absolutely nothing.”

After hearing some laughs, he added: “I feel I’d be making a fool of myself if I came here really expecting anything. I think I played good today because I was doing the exact opposite: It’s my first major and I just want to learn.”

Cabrera-Bello said his worst shot of the day came on No. 18: “I completely pulled my second shot and put it in the middle of the Pacific.”

Painful sight

Chile’s Hugo Leon was even par through 17 holes and playing his third shot to the par-five 18th. After the ball appeared to land in a tree that protects the right side of the green, a search was conducted by players, caddies and rules officials.

Hugo even used binoculars and spotted a ball in the tree. But it wasn’t his. After the five-minute time limit expired, Hugo had to return to the spot of his approach. He hit the green and two-putted for a double bogey and a round of 73.

Smooth operator

Phil Mickelson called in a rules official after an incident on No. 4. Mickelson hit a bunker shot and then smoothed over his footprints. But his ball remained in the bunker, so his footwork could have been interpreted as testing the hazard.

But there was no penalty, with a USGA official explaining in a statement: “If he had kicked the sand in frustration, he would have incurred a penalty, but since he was smoothing his footprints and did not improve his lie for the next stroke, there was no breach.”

tgreenstein@tribune.com