Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice enjoys Pebble Beach event

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, right, is greeted by Randall Stephenson, left, after making a putt to save par on the second green of the Pebble Beach Golf Links during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (The Associated Press)

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rich smiles after making a putt to save par on the second green of the Pebble Beach Golf Links during the first round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, in Pebble Beach, Calif. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) (The Associated Press)

The first thing Condoleezza Rice told playing partner Jason Bohn when she walked onto the practice green at picturesque Pebble Beach eased any tension in the group.

"Roll Tide," she said.

Quite a sharp move for the fellow Alabama fan.

Also maybe the lightest — and least nerve-racking — moment of her opening round Thursday, when the former Secretary of State made her most public outing on the course since becoming the first of two female members at August National.

Rice started strong but was clearly rattled after she hit a spectator in the head on an errant approach shot on the sixth hole. She faded before the turn and combined with Bohn for a 2-under 70 in the pro-am portion of the tournament.