After an hourlong frost delay at a chilly TPC Scottsdale, Fowler played the first six holes in 5-under.
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It was also the 10th-largest figure for any day in tournament history.
“The rough is not as high as some of the days out here throughout the year, so with those few things, you can just grip it, hit anywhere you want and try to make as many birdies as you can”.
“To come out here and shoot a decent score in the first round I’m obviously fairly happy”, said Lowry, before outlining his battle plan for the remainder of the week. The reason I’m here is because of the excitement around this golf tournament.
“They came out to watch the gun show, so I popped them out right there on the tee box”, Hahn said.
World number four Fowler fired a 68 while New Zealand’s lee carded a 66 for 133. I’ve said that for the last, this would make 10 years, but I’m here for the excitement.
Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello shot his second consecutive 67 to grab a one-stroke lead heading into the weekend. I live about 10 minutes away from here. He three-putted for bogey on the rowdy hole, missing a 4-footer. “The wind was kind of blowing from an awkward position”. My ball managed to just stay on the green and I rolled it in. He has four worldwide victories in the last nine months.
Fowler also missed the cut at Torrey Pines after winning the European Tour event in Abu Dhabi the previous week. He won his first PGA Tour title past year in a playoff at Riviera. Lowry said he plays well on firm greens, which was the case Friday. Bradley and caddie Steve Hale didn’t notice the extra club until after the first hole in the first round.
Bubba hit his tee shot to 11 feet and then converted the birdie putt on his way to a two-under round of 70. “I gave myself lots of chances”, Cabrera-Bello said. “I’m very happy with the way I’m playing”.
Watson meanwhile made six birdies and four bogeys during his round of 69, while Mickelson recorded three birdies and three bogeys during his level-par 71.
Adam Hadwin is the top Canadian in the field after shooting a 3-under 68. Cabrera-Bello has just one bogey over the first 36 holes and his steady play has him holding the lead at the midway point.
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Thirty-three players will complete their rounds on Friday morning after play was suspended for the day because of fading light.
