by Bart Potter

The fog is back … A more typical weather pattern returned to Pebble Beach Golf Links after two days of sunny, near-hot weather, which made for practice-round scrutiny of the course conditions by Northwest players a day before the U.S. Open’s first round.

“I’m just seeing how the course is playing,” said Richard Lee, a former University of Washington player and 2008 Washington State Amateur champion, as he walked up the No. 1 fairway in his Wednesday afternoon practice round.

Lee said he thought the Pebble Beach turf would be soft, “but it really hasn’t been.”

He likes the course, and when asked why, Lee said, “It’s Pebble Beach. What’s not to like.”

Lee played his practice round with Alex Prugh, a pro with roots in Spokane, who was also the 2005 Washington State Amateur champion.

Prugh tees off in Thursday’s first round at 2:31 p.m. from No. 10. Lee has an 8:46 a.m. start, also from No. 10.

Tee times for other players we’re tracking:

• Nick Taylor – 7:18 a.m. from No. 1
• Kyle Stanley – 7:40 a.m. from No. 10
• Joel Dahmen – 12:41 p.m. from 10
• Andrew Putnam – 2:06 p.m. from No. 10
• Spencer Tibbitts – 2:42 p.m. from No. 10