Ryan Palmer has one shot lead over Simpson at Phoenix Open

Added by AHN on February 3, 2012.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Category: Golf, Sports
Topics: golf, Sports

Tom Edrington – AHN Sports Reporter

Scottsdale, AZ, United States (AHN Sports) – Ryan Palmer is the first round leader at the Phoenix Open but by Friday morning he could have company.

Palmer finished Thursday just before darkness halted play for the day. He shot a seven-under par 64, a shot better than Webb Simpson, who posted 65 in the morning half of the draw.

There was a one-hour frost delay at the TPC Scottsdale and there were still players on the course when daylight ran out. Bubba Watson was one of them and he was five-under par through 15 holes as was Spencer Levin.

Jason Dufner, runnerup in this event last year, was five-under with five holes left in his first round.

The remainder of the first round will be completed on Friday morning.

Four players posted 66s and were two back of Palmer. Kevin Na, Harrison Frazar, Jarrod Lyle and Derek Lamely were off to good starts.

Phil Mickelson, who played his golf at Arizona State and is a favorite at this event, got off to a good start with a three-under par 68. Mickelson missed the cut last week at Torrey Pines. Dustin Johnson joined Mickelson with a 68 of his own.

Kyle Stanley, who threw away a three-shot lead on the final hole last week at the Farmers Insurance Open, shot a two-under par 69.

“Almost theraputic,” Stanley said, who experienced huge support from the crowd. “It was nice to see the reaction,” he said.

Other than the morning delay, conditions were near-perfect. “It was a perfect day to play,” said Simpson, who continues his solid start to the 2012 season. “The fundamentals we worked on all year (2011), we’re continuing,” he said.

Defending champion Mark Wilson was still on the course when play was halted. He was one-under for his round through 16 holes.