Watson likes everything about Phoenix Open _ except course

Watson birdied the 16th and finished two-under on the day. Cost me a little bit, but other than that, nice way to get off to a good start here…. But the iron play was really good.

“I was just making putts finally”, Fowler, 27, told Golf Channel about the biggest change in his game since his surprising missed cut at last week’s Farmers Insurance Open outside San Diego.

Hideki Matsuyama, who has two top five finishes to his name in two starts in this event, is one shot further back in a share of 4th with Harris English and Ireland’s Shane Lowry.

Lahiri wearing purple pants and a purple reptile belt, had the crowed chanting, “Purple” at the Coliseum-like Par-3 16th hole.

Fowler was happy with his putting and said, “Just didn’t make anything last week”, he said. Over the last couple of years, I have made some putts.

Hahn enjoyed a bogey-free round as he began with an incredible 57-foot chip-in birdie at the 10th before sinking a 32-foot birdie putt at the 13th.

“They came out to watch the gun show, so I popped them out right there on the tee box”, Hahn said.

New Zealand’s Danny Lee, England’s Greg Owen, James Hahn, Brooks Koepka and Brandt Snedeker – fresh off a victory at Torrey Pines – were tied on 67.

“I have a chance to go out tomorrow and put together a good round and put myself in a good position for Sunday”.

Back-to-back bogeys on the fifth and sixth frustrated the 28-year-old, but his opening six-under-par 65 was studded with enough class to give Lowry real hope he can stay in the mix over the weekend. “The greens being so firm, you’re kind of forced to hit driver”.

Frost had delayed the start of the tournament by over an hour, meaning a number of players are still to complete their first rounds, including Bryce Molder, who is shot behind the leaders with two holes still to play. “Well, I like to be colorful on the golf course. I don’t think I’ll ever hit as many bunker shots”.