Fowler posted an impressive 65 and is joined on six-under by Ireland’s Shane Lowry and Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
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That continued this week at the Waste Management Open, where the two-time Masters champ whined about the course in the days leading up to the event. He’s tied for second at 9 under for the tournament.
European Tour: Ernie Els surged into contention at the Dubai Desert Classic, while Rory McIlroy struggled just to make the cut.
“I didn’t see any reason to change it”, the long-hitting lefty said Wednesday.
“I didn’t explain myself well”, Watson said.
On Friday, Watson reiterated his dislike for the course – despite back-to-back second-places finishes here the last two years and a solid showing again this week. He finished second at the Phoenix Open in 2015 and 2014.
Bubba shut them up by draining a birdie putt there on Thursday, but the scene was much different on Friday. “It’s a lot of good energy”, he said.
“I made some good putts to start the round”, Fowler said. He missed the cut last week at Torrey Pines after winning in Abu Dhabi the previous week.
“I grew up around action sports and this kind of reminds me more of being at action sports events, the fans being loud and having fun”, Fowler said.
If the conditions at TPC Scottsdale continue to mimic what was seen Friday, Lowry feels good about making a run to catch Fowler and leader James Hahn, who’s sitting at 10 under.
“Wind was definitely in play today”, Lee said.
At the same time PGA Tour Live streaming coverage switches to the featured holes, Golf Channel will begin Waste Management Phoenix Open TV coverage as a simulcast. “I think [I] would have been pretty annoyed if I was sitting in here after shooting double par at the end”.
“I wish I knew (why), but I really enjoy playing here”, he said.
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“I hit a bad shot at the wrong time”. Over the last couple of years, I have made some putts.
