An takes Phoenix Open lead, Canada’s Graham DeLaet tied for third
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The first few thousand fans rushed to fill the general admission seats on the stadium 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale when the gates opened at 7 a.m. Saturday. Hours and about 30 degrees later, the Waste Management Phoenix Open had attracted a golf-record crowd of 204,906.
Byeong Hun An led the way inside the ropes in his first appearance at the game’s biggest party, shooting a 6-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Martin Laird.
“Bogey-free again today. I think that was pretty big,” An said. “I don’t care how many shots’ lead I have in the final round, I’m just happy with today’s round. My goal will be bogey-free again and just play smart.”
An estimated 596,780 fans have attended the event the first six days. With 70,000 to 90,000 expected Sunday in perfect warm conditions, the event will shatter the overall record of 618,365 set last year.