SCOTTSDALE — Branden Grace was going with the 7-iron. His caddie talked him into an 8-iron. His caddie was smart.
Grace recorded his first hole-in-one on the PGA Tour on the 193-yard 7th hole and had the early lead in the second-round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open Friday.
“It just bounced a little left and rolled in,” the South African player told PGATour.com. “The guys behind the hole were jumping already before it went in the hole.”
Meanwhile some of the veterans struggled, including local favorite Phil Mickelson, while others thrived, like Bubba Watson, who shot a 4-under Friday.
Friday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open typically has the second largest crowds of the weekend, although, this year the Thunderbirds announced that they will not release attendance numbers. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)Phil Mickelson was able to birdie 18 but his round included five bogeys. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)Bubba Watson came ready to play on Friday. The left-hander saw his tournament score go to 9-under good for two back of the lead after the morning groups. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)Overnight co-leader Justin Thomas got out to a fast start of Friday with a birdie on the first hole. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)Overnight leader Rickie Fowler got off to a fast start on Friday with this birdie at the 2nd hole. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)The Waste Management Phoenix Open is known for all kinds of colorful fans, including this group at the famous 16th hole. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)
