Shane Lowry makes good start at weather-hit Waste Management Phoenix Open

Shane Lowry is two shots off the lead held by American Sahith Theegala after a weather-hit opening day at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Theegala hit seven birdies and a bogey in a six-under-par 65 and leads by one from compatriot Andrew Novak after the first day at Scottsdale.

LEADERBOARD

Novak had only completed nine holes with around half of the field needing to complete their first rounds on Friday after a rain delay of more than three hours around lunchtime.

Lowry, 36, who is tied third with S H Kim, started with six birdies and a bogey in his first nine holes, adding one bogey on the way home to finish with a 67. He said the weather made conditions "really bad towards the end".

"We came back out, the wind was not blowing as strong but the ball was going nowhere, and it was cold and kind of tough," he added.

Theegala, who had played 14 holes before the break, said: "The weather was, it was not good, those last four holes felt great.

"I played great and that's all I can do, really."

England's Matt Fitzpatrick dropped two late shots after the resumption to fall back to two-under-par, alongside Scotland's Martin Laird and one ahead of European Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald.

Irishman Seamus Power is one-under with four holes played.

Meanwhile there was a mishap for Lucas Glover who missed his opening-round tee time and withdrew from the competition.

Japan's Ryo Hisatsune took his place, with Glover explaining afterwards that he misread a text message with his tee time.

"I'm kicking myself, but laughing myself at the same time," he told the Golf Channel.

The 44-year-old, who won two of his six PGA titles last year, was in his hotel room when a tournament official called to inform him that he had a minute before his tee time.