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Baddeley in the mix at Phoenix Open

Rickie Fowler has a share of the lead the Phoenix Open along with Shane Lowry and Hideki Matsuyama.

Rickie Fowler.
American Rickie Fowler has a share of the lead the Phoenix Open. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Aaron Baddeley is three shots off the opening-round lead at the weather-disrupted Phoenix Open.

American Rickie Fowler, Ireland's Shane Lowry and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama have a share of the lead at six-under 65 with Baddeley part of a big pack locked at three under in a tie for 11th.

Fowler made a sparkling start in his bid to rebound from a missed PGA Tour cut last week as he charged to the top of the leaderboard.

The American world No.4 Fowler, who heads a strong field at the TPC Scottsdale, was delighted with his putting.

Fowler, who missed the cut at Torrey Pines six days ago after winning the previous week at the European Tour's Abu Dhabi Championship, mixed an eagle at the par-five 15th with six birdies and two bogeys.

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India's Anirban Lahiri carded a seven-birdie 66 and American Bryce Molder also got to five under with two holes to complete before play was suspended for the day in fading light with 33 players still on the course.

"I was just making putts finally," Fowler, 27, said about the biggest change in his game since his surprising missed cut at last week's Farmers Insurance Open.

"I couldn't get anything going the whole of last week and it's really tough to get a rhythm or any momentum to build up as the round goes on if nothing's going in."

Lowry, a double winner on the European Tour before he claimed his first PGA Tour victory at the elite WGC-Bridgestone Invitational last year, also owed much to improved putting.

Three-times former winner Phil Mickelson, a popular figure at Scottsdale after attending the nearby Arizona State University, made a storming start as he got to five under in eight holes before losing momentum after the turn to card a 69.

Baddeley led the Australian charge ahead of Matt Jones (69), Geoff Ogilvy (71) and John Senden (73).

Cameron Smith was one-over through 14 holes and Steven Bowditch was five-over after 17 holes.


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