Fowler rebounds with late birdie, one back in Phoenix

On Wednesday, Watson, who finished as runner-up in this event each of the last two years and earned over $1 million in that stretch, was asked why he likes TPC Scottsdale. He made a 35-footer on the 12th, two-putted for birdie on the 13th and made a 28-foot eagle putt on the par-5 15th after hitting a 258-yard shot over the water.

“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.

Bubba Watson was jeered and booed on the course during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open after claiming that he was only playing the event because his sponsors like it.

“It’s good for golf, good for the game, good for the fans that come out here”, Hahn said.

Rickie Fowler, Shane Lowry and Hideki Matsuyama finish a weather-disrupted first round at the Phoenix Open with a share of the lead.

His six birdies didn’t include the famously festive 16th on Friday – so after missing the green at the par-three he punished himself with 10 pushups instead. “They support the golf tournament, so might as well give them a show”.

“I got to 7 under and just became a little bit tense there”, the Irishman said.

USA’s Bradley Keegan would have been in tied-fourth on five-under, but he was hit with a two-stroke penalty after taking to the course with 15 clubs instead of the permitted 14.

“After making two bogeys in a row I was just hitting it to the middle of the green and trying to roll it down”, Lowry said, but he knew when he struck the putt it had a chance.

Meanwhile Lydia Ko has been stranded early into her third round at the LPGA’s Coates Championship in Florida, with play suspended due to darkness.

Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello, victor here in 2012, shot his second consecutive 67 to grab a one-stroke lead. My wife says that, too, when I go home.