In a spectacular opening round at the Phoenix Open, Wyndham Clark surged to the forefront with an impressive 7-under 64, securing a narrow one-shot lead. Clark's remarkable performance took center stage on a day when 24 players managed to shoot 68 or better. His resilience shone through as he overcame a setback on the par-4 17th hole, where he saved par after his tee shot found water. The tournament, played under perfect weather conditions at TPC Scottsdale, saw Clark joined at the top by Taylor Moore, who also shot a 7-under stretch in seven holes, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 third.
Clark's display of skill and composure was evident as he managed to overcome challenges throughout the round. He opened with a birdie and then added four consecutive birdies starting on No. 8. A particularly memorable moment came when he two-putted for birdie on the par-5 third and navigated a tricky approach around a tree to sink a 45-foot birdie on the par-4 fifth. Reflecting on his approach to the game, Clark emphasized the importance of mental control.
"You can't necessarily control the score and what happens to your golf ball, but you can control your thoughts," – Clark
Meanwhile, Justin Thomas delivered a strong performance with six birdies leading to a 66, while Jordan Spieth demonstrated resilience in his second tournament post-wrist surgery with a score of 68. Scottie Scheffler's round was nothing short of an exhilarating ride as he made an impressive hole-out from a fairway bunker on No. 1 to finish with a 65. Despite opening with a bogey and another on the par-4 fifth after a misjudged bunker shot, Scheffler maintained his competitive edge.
Taylor Moore's impressive round included an eagle that capped off a streak of 7-under in seven holes, placing him alongside Clark at the top. Lee Hodges also caught attention with two eagles on his front nine and three straight birdies starting at No. 10. The players thrived under optimal conditions, a stark contrast to last year's rain-soaked event.
Clark's ability to handle pressure was evident when faced with adversity on the par-4 17th. After pulling his tee shot into the water, he executed a precise pitch shot to save par, which he admitted was frustrating but ultimately rewarding.
"Needless to say that's a birdie hole, and to hit it in the water and not really have a birdie look is kind of unfortunate," – Clark
"I feel like staying patient is important out here because you can make a lot of birdies, but if you maybe get a little aggressive or take on some unnecessary risks you can make bogeys pretty fast," – Thomas
Clark's history at the Phoenix Open adds another layer to his current standing, having previously held the first-round lead in 2020. His performance places him among select company alongside Dudley Hart and Steve Jones as players who have led the tournament through its first round multiple times since 1990. His consistent form is evident from his eighth-place finish in last year's FedEx Cup standings and tying for 15th at The Sentry.
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