Fowler, Lowry, Matsuyama share Phoenix Open lead at 65

Rickie Fowler heads into this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open confident he can make further strides, following an impressive 2015 season, as he seeks a maiden major title in 2016.

The three leaders were able to finish their rounds, but many golfers were unable to complete the course as play was suspended due to darkness.

After an hourlong frost delay at a chilly TPC Scottsdale, Fowler played the first six holes in 5-under.

Overall, the American was pleased with how the day panned out. “My ball managed to just stay on the green and I rolled it in”, he said.

Fowler bounced back from missing the cut at Torrey Pines last week to show the kind of form that saw him win in Abu Dhabi recently.

“I kept it on the fairway and managed to make my way around the course well”.

“I hit a lot of really good shots today, a lot of good iron shots”, said Mickelson, who made his 27th start at the tournament (he is a three-time winner).

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.

Matsuyama produced eight birdies of his own in a strong round.

Anirban Lahiri and Bryce Molder are at 5-under-par, one shot off the lead.

“When you can sink those, momentum swings your way”, said Matsuyama, who has had a string of good results here.

LPGA: In Ocala, Florida, Lydia Ko played enough golf to catch up to the lead.

Ko was 7-under for the tournament, tied with Ha Na Jang.

Fowler’s dramatic win a fortnight ago was his fourth in the last nine months, starting with the Players Championship at Sawgrass last May in the week he and Ian Poulter were voted the most overrated players by their peers in an anonymous survey conducted by Sports Illustrated.

The crowd is in its wildest and most boozy state at the famous par-3 16th hole.

Ernie Els matched McIlroy’s 68.

“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.

“So the fact that the PGA Tour is a little lenient on us doing whatever things you want to do on that hole, it’s good for golf, good for the game, good for the fans”.