The Phoenix Open saw a thrilling Saturday with birdies flying. Here’s how things shook out at the TPC Scottsdale on moving day:
Rickie Fowler looked like he was in some kind of funk on the front nine but he eventually got things going and saved his round with three straight birdies. He shot 67 and is 14-under par through 54 holes but there’s some quality stacked up behind him. “It was a grind. I was a little off in a lot of areas,” was how Fowler described things. “I took advantage of the closing holes.”
Jon Rahm is right there one again. The former Arizona State star playing with another Sun Devil favorite — Phil Mickelson. Rahm birdied four of his last five holes to shoot 65 and is a shot back at 13-under par. What will it take to win on Sunday? “It’s gonna take a lot of birdies out here,” Rahm said, matter-of-factly.
Bryson DeChambeau had a chance to sit at the top with Fowler but saw his tee shot at the drivable par four 17th go left and into the water. He ended up with bogey on a hole that the leaders were taking advantage of. He still had a consistent day shot 68 and is in at 13-under with Rahm.
Chez Reavie lives in Scottsdale so he will bring a lot of local knowledge over the final 18. He birdied 17 and 18 to shoot 67 and joined Rahm and DeChambeau a shot behind Fowler.
Phil Mickelson will have a shot at ending his victory draught. He played a bogey-free round, shot 66 thanks to two closing birdies and stands two back at 12-under par. “The crowds really helped me out there with their support,” Mickelson said of the 200,000-plus who showed up on Saturday. “They get me more focused.”
