SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 3 (UPI) -- Tom Lehman and three other golfers shared the lead when first-round play was suspended Thursday at the PGA Tour's Phoenix Open.
Lehman, winner of the 1996 British Open, is playing this week because he is a former champion of the tournament. He took full advantage by making seven birdies and shooting a 6-under 65.
The opening round was delayed for 4 hours because of frost and only half the field was able to complete 18 holes. Another hard freeze was forecast for early Friday.
Lehman, 51, would become one of the oldest players to win a PGA Tour event if he could capture this week's tournament. The oldest was Sam Snead, who was 52 years, 10 months, 8 days old when he won the 1965 Greater Greensboro Open. Snead made the cut at the Westchester Classic when he was 67.
Only six players over the age of 50 have won on the PGA Tour.
Joining Lehman in a tie for the lead were Jason Bohn, Tom Gillis and Bill Haas, who lost in a playoff at the Bob Hope Classic two weeks ago. Those at 66 included Ben Crane, Chris Couch and former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover. Phil Mickelson was in the group at 4-under 67.
Among those still on the course when play was halted, Dustin Johnson had the best round working. Johnson was 4-under through just five holes.
Jhonattan Vegas, who surprisingly leads the tour in earnings through the first month of the campaign, had a 70. Bubba Watson, the winner by a stroke over Mickelson last week at Torrey Pines, also shot 70.
