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Stefan Tonev
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Canadian pair lead weather-delayed Phoenix Open
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Rory McIlroy had a day to forget on his 2023 PGA Tour debut

Canadians Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin overcame an early weather delay to card five-under-par 66s and grab a one-shot lead at the PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open.

They were given plenty of support by the customarily raucous Phoenix crowds as they took a one-shot lead over Xander Schauffele, Jim Herman and Jason Day.

“I feel like a lot of guys that grew up in the cold, we get asked (if we’re used to these conditions) a lot,” Taylor said. “We did it a lot, but we probably prefer the heat now because we’ve moved south.

“I’ve played enough in it where I kind of know what to expect.

“All those holes are playing a lot longer than typical,” he said. “I’ve seen a lot of wind conditions, but this was one of the toughest stretches I’ve played out here.”

Taylor and Hadwin, who both hail from north of the US border, now call Arizona home.

Many players were not able to complete their rounds before darkness halted play because of a frost delay early in the morning but Taylor and Hadwin both reached the clubhouse safely, having done well to master the cold and blustery conditions.

Of the chasing trio, only Schauffele managed to complete his round of 66. Herman still has five holes of his first round to play, while Australian Day had completed only one hole of his back nine.

Further down the field, Rory McIlroy had a day to forget on his 2023 PGA Tour debut, struggling off the tee on the way to a two-over-par 73.