Saheth Segala made the rounds Thursday at TPC Scottsdale, even though Mother Nature was tormenting him all afternoon.
Play was halted after a 3-hour and 30-minute delay, with only half the field able to complete their round.
Segala was fortunate to be able to do so, shooting a 6-under 65 to take the lead.
“I played really well,” Segala said.
“Normally it’s one or two things that can sustain you a round, but I felt like I did something good with every club throughout the bag. It felt great. I made short putts when I needed them. I made the decision and tip-ins are always great.”
Segala chipped in on the second par-4, the 11th hole of the day, and moved to 4 under. But his one of his favorite moments of the day occurred on his 16th, a famous par-3. There, fans serenaded the former Pepperdine star with numerous chants.
“The last name chant is always great,” Segala said.
“When I’m a little drunk and I try to shout out my first name, letters are added or omitted. I know they’re rooting for me, so I don’t really care. No. I love it.”
The WM Phoenix Open, also known as the “People’s Open,” attracts the largest gallery of any PGA Tour event each year. It is characterized by many parties, usually leading to cheerful chants and questionable decisions in the gallery.
But players have come to understand these antics because the only way to do so is to accept them.
Still, the 2024 WM Phoenix Open has thus far had difficulty hosting fans. In addition to Thursday’s suspension, frost caused a two-hour delay on Friday morning. Half the field has not yet finished the first round, but usually half the players have completed 36 holes by this time.
Happily for fans, we hope Mother Nature continues to cooperate.
Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.
