Canadian Nick Taylor held a one-stroke lead over American Sahith Theegala when darkness halted play within the third spherical of the PGA Tour’s weather-disrupted Phoenix Open on Sunday (AEDT).
The pair had accomplished six holes of the third spherical at TPC Scottsdale after getting by way of their second rounds earlier within the day.
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Doug Ghim and Andrew Novak have been each two pictures off the lead whereas three-times main winner Jordan Spieth reached the flip at two-under for his spherical, shifting him three behind Taylor.
The leaders may have 30 holes to get by way of on Sunday with organisers hoping the chance of frost within the morning doesn’t add any additional delays to the schedule.
A 3 1/2-hour rain delay on Thursday put the event delayed and frost on Friday added to the disruption.
Theegala had fired a seven under-par 64 to high the leaderboard after the second spherical however then returned to bogey the primary two holes of his third spherical.
A birdie on the par-3 fourth, steadied him however Taylor took benefit to edge again in entrance, draining a 48 foot putt for birdie on the par-4 fifth.
Taylor had equalled the course file on Friday together with his 11-under-par 60 and whereas he wasn’t capable of recapture that type in his second spherical, making bogey on the primary gap, he recovered with birdies on the tenth and seventeenth to shoot 70.
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The Canadian completed second on this occasion final yr, lacking out to Scottie Scheffler by two pictures, earlier than occurring to win the Canadian Open in June.
“I really feel like I simply have good vibes right here after final yr. I performed nice final yr and simply acquired beat I felt like,” he stated.
“I wasn’t most likely anticipating to shoot a 60 or one thing loopy low the primary day, however I determine I’ve good power right here now, and a number of years in a row I didn’t.
“I wouldn’t say it’s unfinished enterprise, however I’m undoubtedly in good place to attempt to end it off,” he added.
Theegala was one of many few gamers to have completed his first spherical on Thursday and so didn’t play in any respect on Friday.
“I felt like I had a 12-hour day the primary day, nothing yesterday, after which one other 12-plus-hour day at the moment. So prepared for one more 10-, 12-hour day tomorrow,” he stated.
“It’s been a bizarre week, and I’m really actually exhausted proper now. It’s not usually you play two days of — not essentially even a number of holes however only a lot occurring,” he stated.
There was no scarcity of power round sold-out TPC Scottsdale, with the normal raucous crowds on the “stadium” par-3 sixteenth.
Nonetheless, organisers have been pressured to take the drastic measure of briefly halting gross sales of alcohol and even flip away some followers as chaos ensued.
“Because of bigger than traditional crowds, the WM Phoenix Open entrance gates are quickly closed and shuttle service to the occasion is on maintain,” organisers stated on social media.
“Shuttle service again to parking heaps will stay operating. Repeatedly verify our channels for updates.”
The choice to halt booze gross sales left followers moderately upset, sparking a chant of “we would like beer”.
Nonetheless, a number of movies that popped up on social media proved officers have been maybe proper all alongside to cease promoting alcohol.
Many followers determined it was the proper time to strip off their shirts and slide within the mud, a lot to the enjoyment of these within the fast neighborhood.
One other took issues a step additional, operating onto the notorious sixteenth gap and flipping right into a bunker.
With the partying crowds roaring each nice shot or putt however booing and jeering missed putts and off-target approaches, the noise on the gap has grow to be synonymous with the Scottsdale occasion.
“Simply listening to the cheers is fairly epic. A bunch of fellows with my identify and my face on shirts on the market. The officer was telling me individuals acquired too drunk. However it was all in good enjoyable, and hopefully everybody stayed secure,” stated Theegala.
“It’s a blast. There’s undoubtedly some folks that aren’t the perfect drunks, however for essentially the most half it’s all optimistic, and it’s a enjoyable ambiance.
“You do have to dam a few of it out at sure occasions. That’s for certain. However nonetheless form of in full embrace mode.” he added.