Rickie Fowler, Shane Lowry and Hideki Matsuyama held the joint lead overnight, with Hahn two strokes behind, but the American hit back on TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course.
Advertisement
“I struggled in the wind a little bit and didn’t get off to the best of starts again”, McIlroy said. “Definitely made two really good ones, probably my best of the day coming down 18”.
“I know the back of the green there pretty well, know it’s pretty straight and hit my line flawless”.
Fowler, who missed the cut at Torrey Pines six day ago after winning the previous week at the European Tour’s Abu Dhabi Championship, mixed an eagle at the par-five 15th with six birdies and two bogeys. On his final nine, he hit a wedge to 3 feet to set up a birdie on the par-4 second, chipped to 3 feet for another birdie on the par-5 third, and took the outright lead with a 10-footer on the par-4 sixth. You miss it right of the bunker, you’re out of bounds. And Lowry, who’s tied for fourth at 7 under, has never played in the event before.
“I grew up around action sports and this kind of reminds me more of being at action sports events”, Fowler said. Play was stopped before Jang got a chance to tee off. Not long after the stoppage, at least seven greens were under water.
Phil Mickelson reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 16th hole during the first round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Perhaps aware he made a mistake with what he said, Watson sent a tweet on Thursday morning hoping to offer a mea culpa to the Phoenix Open fans. I didn’t play as good, as sharp. I’ve lived here every winter for eight years. “I’m actually enjoying it on the greens”.
Perhaps in defiance, Watson hit his tee shot to 11 feet.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Rory McIlroy started the defense of his Dubai Desert Classic title with a bogey, but battled back to post a 4-under 68, which left him two shots off the lead.
Advertisement
The three leaders were able to finish their rounds, but many golfers were unable to complete the course as play was suspended due to darkness.
