Playing in the last group off the 10th tee in his first WM Phoenix Open start, Theegala was seven-under with two holes left when the round was suspended because of darkness. KH Lee was second after a six-under 65.
“The big key for me, like always in my game, is just putting my driver in the fairway,” Theegala said. “I was able to do that early and often.”
The 24-year-old got into the event on a sponsor exemption. “Super strong field, probably the strongest field I played in so far this year. I just figured it was like another free-roll opportunity, might as well take advantage of it and obviously super thankful that I got in.”
The fans were back in full force at firm and fast TPC Scottsdale, with well over 100,000 on hand and a lot more expected over the weekend. Last year, daily attendance was limited to 5,000 because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I always love the fans here,” said defending champion Brooks Koepka, two strokes back after a 66. “I like playing in front of a lot of people. They cheer you when you hit a good one and boo you when you hit a bad one, which is what you deserve.”
“I got off to a pretty hot start,” Theegala said. “It was nice to see one go in on the first hole. That always kind of sets the tone.”
The PGA Tour rookie will resume play on Friday morning with a 16-foot par putt on the par-4 eighth.
“I started hitting my driver a little squirrelly at the end, so this is a welcome stop, honestly,” Theegala said.
Adam Hadwin and Harry Higgs matched Koepka, also the 2015 winner, at 66. Scott Stallings also was five-under with a hole left. Top-ranked Jon Rahm topped the group at 67.
Lee tied for second last year, then went on to win the Byron Nelson three months later for his first PGA Tour title. “Great start today, but I have a long way to go,” Lee said.
Lee played a three-hole stretch in four-under on his back nine. The South Korean player closed with a 13-footer for birdie on No. 9.
FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay also was at 67 with Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Louis Oosthuizen, Charley Hoffman, Alex Noren, Bubba Watson, Stewart Cink, Kevin Kisner and Billy Horschel. Cantlay is making his first appearance in the event.
Hideki Matsuyama shot a 68 in his first round since winning the Sony Open last month in Hawaii. The Masters champion won in Scottsdale in 2016 and 2017.
Graeme McDowell also was at 68 after his first round in the event since 2006.
“This is a quite the show here, quite the party and quite the atmosphere,” McDowell said. “The golf course is sensational. Not sure I’ve seen a better-conditioned golf course than this one and it’s playing firm and fast, which kind of suits my game a little bit.”
