Hahn takes Phoenix lead
Fowler, Lee 1 back as round includes bobcat sighting.
James Hahn shot a bogey-free 6-under 65 in breezy conditions Friday to take the lead in the Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Hahn had a 10-under 132 total on TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course to enter the weekend a stroke ahead of Rickie Fowler and Danny Lee. Fowler birdied his final hole for a 68, and Lee had a 66.
“I’m having fun out there,” Hahn said.
An estimated 160,415 fans, not counting a large bobcat that sauntered between the first and second holes in the afternoon, packed the grounds. The crowd broke the Friday record of 123,674 set in 2014 and was the 10th-largest figure for any day in tournament history.
Hahn is at home at golf ’s biggest party, becoming an Internet sensation in 2013 when he celebrated a birdie on the rowdy par-3 16th with a “Gangnam Style” dance. He won his first PGA Tour title last year at Riviera.
“It’s the one week out of the year where you’re allowed to do anything you want and not get fined,” Hahn said. “It’s good for golf, good for the game, good for the fans that come out here. They support the golf tourna- ment, so might as well give them a show.”
European Tour: Ernie Els surged into contention at the Dubai Desert Classic, while Rory McIlroy struggled just to make the cut.
Els shot a 5-under 67 to move to within one shot of the lead at a tournament he has won three times. Spain’s Rafael Cabrera-Bello, the winner in 2012, shot his second 67 to grab the lead.
Els was tied with Trevor Fisher Jr. and Danny Willett at 9 under.
Defending champion McIlroy shot a 72 to finish at 4-under 140 after two rounds, six shots off the lead. He birdied his last three holes.
Champions Tour: Corey Pavin and Todd Hamilton shot 6-under 66s to lead the first round of the Allianz Champion- ship in Boca Raton, Fla.
Pavin had four birdies in a five-hole stretch on the Old Course despite 20-mph winds and temperatures in the 50s. Hamilton reeled off four consecutive birdies on his back nine.
Tom Lehman birdied his last hole to share third place with Billy Andrade after 67s.
LPGA Tour: Lydia Ko and Ha Na Jang were tied for the lead at 7 under through six holes of the third round in the chilly and rain-delayed Coates Golf Championship in Ocala, Fla.
The third round was to resume this morning, with the tournament scheduled to finish in the afternoon. No one completed the third round.
Lexi Thompson was among five players one shot behind.