The PGA Tour’s first full-field designated event is working pretty much as planned in Scottsdale at the WM Phoenix Open.
World No. 1 Rory McIlroy, who admitted after Thursday’s first round that he"wouldn’t say that this is a golf course that sets up terribly well for me. I struggle off the tee here,” was outside the top 25 after 36 holes were in the books and aThe best names in the game came to play at TPC Scottsdale this week.
A Thursday frost delay led to a Saturday completion of the second round, but after those 36 holes were done, the leaderboard was stacked with big names: —Defending champion Scottie Scheffler, who broke through for his first Tour win here a year ago, posted a 64 on Friday to get to 10 under.—Jon Rahm is among three heavyweights at 8 under after scores of 68-66.
—Xander Schauffle, who has finished in the top 20 in all five of his appearances at the tournament, including T-2 and T-3 the last two years, has a pair of 67s so far this week, and is also at 8 under. —Jordan Spieth opened with a 71 but shot the round of the week so far in round 2 with a 63, is at 8 under.—Tom Kim, Rickie Fowler, Sam Ryder and Sungjae Im are among an eight-way tie for ninth at 5 under.No doubt, the stage is now set for fireworks.