Rain in forecast for Sunday’s final round
Rain was in the forecast for Saturday all week. The overcast skies produced no rain during Saturday’s round.
However, rain is in the forecast for Saturday night, and there’s a 40 percent chance of rain on Sunday morning.
Players will again tee off at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday on both the 1st and 10th holes.
Last year’s Waste Management Phoenix Open champion, Gary Woodland, is eight shots behind leader Rickie Fowler. Woodland thinks a soft, wet course gives him a better chance at catching Fowler.
“It helps me because it’s going to lengthen this course out,” Woodland said. “Which, any time a course gets longer that’s good for me.”
Matt Kuchar is four shots behind Fowler. He wants no part of any bad weather on Sunday.
“I’m hoping it clears out,” Kuchar said. “Nobody loves playing in the rain.”
The PGA Tour expects the tournament will end on time Sunday even if it does rain.
“We expect steady rain until 10 a.m. and then scattered showers for the rest of the afternoon,” on-site PGA Tour meteorologist Wade Stettner said. “I spoke to the superintendent and he said the course should be able to handle the rain. It’s not going to be a downpour or anything.”
Jarrod Lyle honored at 16
One of the nine pros to hit a hole in one at 16 during the Phoenix Open was honored on Saturday. Jarrod Lyle passed away last year after a battle with leukemia. The Aussie’s ace in 2011 sent the crowd into frenzy.
Now that shot will be remembered forever.
A plaque was erected on the 16th tee in Lyle’s honor. The date, time club and yardage of the hole in one are included on the plaque, which is yellow, the same color as the bucket hat Lyle was known for sporting.
Several players, including Rickie Fowler, were wearing Leuk the Duck pins, which raises awareness for children with cancer and blood disorders.
“I’m in a position where I can help continue his legacy,” Fowler said. “Helping with the Leuk the Duck brand and trying to bring that to the U.S. is something that Jarrod wanted to do.”
When Bubba Watson came through 16, he placed a yellow Titleist golf ball next to the plaque. Watson is playing the yellow ball during the tournament.
Seen and heard
Former Sun Devil goes deep Barring a miraculous Sunday, Chez Reavie won’t be in a playoff to win the Phoenix Open, like last year. However, he found some of his magic from last year on Saturday shooting a 7-under-par 64, which is tied for the lowest round of the week. Reavie is 9-under for the tournament.
Dodgers fan hears boo birds
Max Homa, a Monday qualifier, decided to poke fun at the locals by wearing a Clayton Kershaw jersey and LA Dodgers hat. There were scattered “Let’s go Dodgers” chants in support of the California native, but most of the gallery was not happy.
Homa gave himself a decent look at a birdie, but after he ended up three-putting the hole for bogey, the crowd’s anger quickly turned to elation.
College kid hits one of the day’s longest shots
The lone amateur in the field, Matthew Wolff, has impressed with his play and turned heads with his unconventional swing. His tee shot on 18 did both.
The Oklahoma State sophomore bombed a 366-yard drive, a massive shot which turned out to only be the thirdlongest on Saturday. Kevin Streelman hit one 368 on the 13th hole, but Cameron Champ’s 373-yard bomb on 13 turned out to be the day’s longest.
Wolff shot 1 over on Saturday and is 4 under for the tournament.