Fowler tied for Phoenix Open lead
DeChambeau also at 10 under as tourney draws a record crowd
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rickie Fowler took a share of the lead into the weekend in the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He knows from experience the party is just getting started.
“Just keep the gas pedal down,” Fowler said.
Fowler has had a lot of success at TPC Scottsdale without winning. He finished a shot behind Hunter Mahan in 2010, lost to Hideki Matsuyama on the fourth extra hole in 2016, and tied for fourth last year.
“From the first couple times I played it, I knew it was just kind of a matter of time before I would win here,” Fowler said. “I know I can win here. I put myself in position plenty of times.”
Fowler was tied with Bryson DeChambeau, with each shooting his second straight 5-under 66.
The festive tournament drew an estimated Friday-record crowd of 191,400 fans, bringing the week total to 439,088. The third-round mark of 204,906 set last year is expected to be shattered today, and the week record of 655,434 from a year ago could fall with a day to spare.
DeChambeau birdied the final two holes, hitting a wedge to 8 inches on the par-4 18th late on another 80-degree afternoon.
“I missed a few short putts on the back nine, so definitely didn’t play my best,” DeChambeau said.
He won the John Deere Classic last year. In 2015, the former SMU star became the fifth player to win the NCAA individual title and U.S. Amateur in the same year.
Daniel Berger and former Arizona State player Chez Reavie were a stroke back.
“This is the fourth time I’ve been here, so I’ve kind of figured it out a little bit,” Berger said. “Mostly, it’s just about just enjoying yourself.”
Reavie eagled the 17th in a 65. He’s the only player without a bogey after two rounds.
“This is my home tournament, growing up here my whole life and coming to the tournament and carrying the sign board,” Reavie said. “So this is like the fifth major for me.”
Fowler birdied four of the first six holes. He bogeyed his old nemesis, the 317-yard 17th, after driving short of the green to the left and chipping across and off the green.
“Funky little chip where we were in a good position to make birdie,” Fowler said.
Two years ago, he blew a two-stroke lead on 17 in regulation when he drove through the green and into the water, then handed the playoff to Matsuyama when he hit into the water again. MAYBANK CHAMPIONSHIP: In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Lee Westwood sank 11 birdies in scoring a low-round-of-the-day 62 to lie one shot behind the leaders halfway through the Maybank Championship.
Westwood won the Malaysian Open here at Saujana Golf and Country Club 21 years ago, and was also the club’s touring pro.
“It’s nice to be in contention and to know this golf course well,” he said.
“I’ve played this course more than most and I know where to hit it. Hopefully we can build on that more.”
Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand and Nino Bertasio of Italy shared the lead after matching 65s in the second round.
VIC OPEN: In Barwon Heads, Australia, Australian Minjee Lee shot a 6-under 67 to take a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the Vic Open, the first tournament of the year on the Ladies European Tour.
Lee, who had a two-round total of 9-under 137, has played all 36 holes without a bogey.
Cheyenne Woods, niece of Tiger Woods, dropped well off the pace after shooting a second-round 80, bogeying seven of her first nine holes. Woods, who was a stroke out of the lead after the opening round, trails Lee by 11 shots.
At a PGA of Australia Tour men’s event held alongside the women’s tournament, Anthony Quayle held a one-stroke lead after a 66 and a two-round total of 9-under 135.