The Associated Press

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — Pebble Beach looked as spectacular as ever. So did Rory McIlroy.

The combination of one of golf’s biggest stars and America’s most scenic coastal golf course was the just the spark the PGA Tour needed, and both lived up to their reputations Sunday in the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.

McIlroy was in complete control of his shots, leading to two key birdies when he made the turn against a pack of contenders. And then he delivered a haymaker, blasting his drive over a tree down the 14th fairway, leaving him only a 7-iron to the 571-yard hole to set up eagle.

“We both hit 7 there,” Sepp Straka said. “His was 7-iron, mine was 7-wood.”

All that was left was a soothing stroll down the 18th fairway, enough sunshine to turn the surf turquoise, enough of a cushion to have no stress. McIlroy finished with a par for a 6-under 66 and a two-shot victory over Irish pal Shane Lowry.

“There’s some venues in our game that just mean a little bit more than others and that’s probably to do with the history and the people that have won on those courses and what those people have meant to the game of golf,” McIlroy said.

Elsewhere:

n A Lim Kim shot a 5-under 67 and a two-shot victory Sunday in the LPGA season opener at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions.