Good news at the Phoenix Open is Rickie Fowler has a piece of the 36-hole lead.
The bad news is the tournament lost two of it’s biggest stars — two-time defending champion Hideki Matsuyama and world’s No. 3 Jordan Spieth.
Spieth’s exit was simple. He shot 72-70 and even par wasn’t good enough to make the 36-hole cut.
Matsuyama, on the other hand, was forced to withdraw before the start of the second round thanks to a painful right wrist.
Their exit won’t affect attendance at this show. More than 655,000 fans flooded the TPC Scottsdale last year and that number may go higher this go-round thanks to 80-degree temperatures and overall perfect weather.
Fowler continued his good play and added another 66 Friday. He’s at 10-under, tied with the tour’s version of The Mad Scientist — Bryson DeChambeau.
Two huge fan favorites played their way into contention. Phil Mickelson’s 65 tied for low round of the day and put him in at seven-under along with fellow Arizona State Sun Devil Jon Rahm.
