SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Defending champion Scottie Scheffler took the lead into the weekend at the Worlds Phoenix Open, with local hero Jon Rahm right behind at TPC Scottsdale.
Second-placed Scheffler played 25 holes on Friday, completing a 3-under 68 in the first round and shooting a bogey-free 64 in the second to move to 10-under. He had a two-shot lead over Rahm and Adam Hadwin when play was stopped for darkness.
Rahm, the former Arizona State star at No. 3, also returned early to finish the first round. He shot 68-66 to potentially set up a Super Bowl weekend showdown with Scheffler for the No. 1 ranking.
“That would be a lot of fun,” said Scheffler. “Right now it looks like we’re 1 and 2 but we’ll see how things develop. A lot of guys still have a lot of golf to play out there. Should be a fun weekend.”
Hadwin had eight holes remaining when play was halted. None of the afternoon starters was able to complete the lap.
Last year, Scheffler beat Patrick Cantlay in a playoff for his first PGA Tour title. Scheffler added victories in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC-Match Play and Masters and was the PGA Tour’s Player of the Year.
The Texan has hit 20 of 28 fairways and 27 of 36 greens on average.
“Around this course, if you hit fairways and hit well, the golf course can open up for you,” Scheffler said. “But the opposite can happen quickly because trouble lurks at practically every hole.”
After a freeze delay and gusty winds on Thursday, players faced lighter breezes that changed frequently.
“The wind really shifted,” Scheffler said. “Sometimes it could be difficult to judge. But it was nice and warm, so it was good.”
Rahm opened the year with back-to-back wins at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express. His best finish came at TPC Scottsdale in 2015 when he placed fifth as an amateur.
Rahm played a four-hole stretch in 4 under on his front nine in the second round. He screwed on the par 13th, holed for Eagle out of a green bunker on the par 15th, and birdied a 7 foot on the par 16th.
“I hit a lot of great shots today,” said Rahm. “Lots of good iron shots that…didn’t land in great spots.”
His mother and 87-year-old grandmother, who were visiting from Spain, observed him at No. 16.
“Unexpected. Very unexpected,” Rahm said. “I’m honestly glad I didn’t know until I got the shot because otherwise I would have put too much effort into my grandma to get a good shot.”
While Scheffler and Rahm topped the leaderboard, top-placed rider Rory McIlroy was recovering from an opening 73 in Thursday’s toughest conditions. He had four birdies in a five-hole stretch and was 3 under the standings when play was halted.
McIlroy is attempting to have three straight wins on the PGA Tour after winning the Tour Championship in August and the CJ Cup in October. He also won on the European Tour two weeks ago in Dubai on his first start of the year.
Wyndham Clark was 7-under after rounds of 68 and 67. Sungjae Im was also 7-under with six holes remaining.
Jason Day was 6 under, finishing a 65 to take the first lap lead and adding a 71.
“I’m glad I’m in the house,” Day said. “I’m just going to rest.”
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