Sahith Theegala takes surprise lead at Phoenix Open

Reuters - Sahith Theegala left TPC Scottsdale Thursday with the lead of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, although he will have to come back early Friday in order to finish off his opening round.

Theegala, in his first season on the PGA Tour, was at 7-under par through 16holes when the first round was halted because of darkness with just a handfulof players still on the course.

K.H. Lee of South Korea had the lowest score of anybody that finished theirfirst round, shooting a 6-under 65. A group of four tied for third place at 5under included defending champion Brooks Koepka, Harry Higgs, Scott Stallingsand Adam Hadwin of Canada.

Theegala, a three-time All-America selection while also winning a team titlewhile at Pepperdine, opened his round Thursday on the back nine, collectingfive birdies over his first seven holes, including four consecutive at Nos.13-16.

ALSO READ: Brandon Stone and Shaun Norris off to hot starts at Ras Al Khaimah Classic

The 24-year-old California native, who entered this week's event on a sponsor's exemption, also had birdies at Nos. 3 and 4 after the turn. He had a par save at No. 7 as darkness approached and his round was paused at No. 8after a chip shot to the green that left him with a lengthy par putt. He will finish that hole early Friday morning.

"It was kind of nice to reset because I actually got a little squirrelly with the driver the last few holes," Theegala said on the Golf Network broadcast."I had some really good up-and-downs and kind of got away with some stuff as well. It was kind of a nice reset. I will go beat some balls in the morning,try to get the swing dialled in again and just keep doing what I'm doing."

Making the most of a sponsor's exemption.