11 February 2022: Korea’s K.H. Lee will be hoping to go one better at the US$8.2 million WM Phoenix Open after firing a stellar 6-under 65 for the first round clubhouse lead on Thursday. Sahith Theegala was ahead by one, with two more holes to play in the opening round. India’s Anirban Lahiri and Korean duo Sung Kang and Si Woo Kim all shot 70s to lie in tied 44th position.
Indian-American Sahith Theegala, who is playing on a sponsor’s exemption, stood at 7-under through 16 holes when play was suspended due to darkness. He will return on Friday morning where he faces a 16’ 1” par putt on the par-4 eighth hole.
After finishing joint runner-up to Brooks Koepka last year, the 30-year-old Korean picked up from where he left off at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona by putting together an eye-catching round which featured an eagle, five birdies and a lone bogey.
Title holder Koepka is amongst those who opened with a 66 in the PGA TOUR event while World No. 1 Jon Rahm and Olympic Games gold medallist Xander Schauffele shot 67s. Two-time WM Phoenix Open champion and FedExCup points leader, Hideki Matsuyama carded with a 68 despite making three successive bogeys early on.
Lee, who won the AT&T Byron Nelson for his maiden PGA TOUR win last May, turned in 35 with two birdies against a bogey before producing a flying finish with birdies on Hole Nos. 2, 4 and 9 and an eagle on the third after sinking a 46-foot putt.
“It was a solid round. Wind blew in the beginning which made the play a little harder. But I was able to overcome that moment and played good. I’m happy with my round. I hit good shots. I think the third hole, I made eagle. It was very nice and helped keep great momentum and then I finished strong. If I put some more time into my putting, I think I will have great chance to play well this weekend. I’m looking forward to it,” said Lee, who has four top-25s this season and currently ranks 89th on the FedExCup standings.
The Korean star hit only 12 greens in regulation but showed some deft touches to keep his card largely free of bogeys except for the lone blemish on 17 where he three putted. He picked up 3.2 strokes over the field in Strokes Gained: Around the Greens where he ranked second in the stat category on Thursday.
Lee said he has felt right at home at TPC Scottsdale, which is famous for its exuberant crowds who are making a welcome return after Covid-19 restrictions. “Honestly, I don’t know why, but I mean, like I feel comfortable. Tee shot, second shot, everything is better, so I think that’s the reason why I play well at TPC course,” he said.
“A little different last year (with the fans). No. 16, 17, 18, it’s big like a stadium. On the 16th hole, a lot of fans, a little more pressure. But I mean it’s good as some times, pressure helps for better golf. It’s a great start but I have a long way, so just keep to the same thing.”
