Round 1: Waste Management Phoenix Open
February 2 2012
5:22 pm
Stanley calls round ‘almost therapeutic’
By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Kyle Stanley had been looking forward to playing in the Waste Management Phoenix Open for a while now.
Given what happened on Sunday, though, he said teeing it up in Thursday’s first round was "almost therapeutic." And the 69 Stanley opened with at TPC Scottsdale wasn’t half bad, either.
Stanley had squandered a three-shot lead on the 72nd hole of the Farmers Insurance Open and ended up losing to Brandt Snedeker on the second hole of a playoff four days ago. Even though he was extremely disappointed, Stanley said he never thought about taking this week off to regroup.
Stanley started on the back side and played his first seven holes in 4 under — which for a while on Thursday morning gave him sole possession of the lead. He got up and down the 18th hole but got the stroke back on No. 3 before making bogeys on two of his last three holes.
"Played pretty good on that back nine, made a couple bogeys late but drove the ball really well," Stanley said. "Hit it decent, hit a couple wedges that didn’t respond the way I thought they were going to, but other than that, I’m pretty pleased. There’s a lot of golf left."
Stanley also was thankful for the support the felt from the fans in the gallery. "I said on Tuesday, I’m kind of overwhelmed by it," Stanley said. "It’s really nice to know that you have people behind you, and I certainly appreciate it.
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Way to bounce back!
Way to get back on the horse! Slow and Steady!! Well done Kyle!
I just wanted to walk the back nine on Tuesday and just happened to see Kyle tee-off on the 10th … could not break away … he had consistent drives of 330+ and was striking solid. I had last year’s pin sheets and noticed he was nailing approach shots to last year’s flag placements to within a few feet … consistently! There were about 20 to 30 folks who were following him and we were all buzzing … he isn’t back on the horse … he is Thee Horse.
I couldn’t agree more with you! His stats are amazing! It is great to see him step back on the tee box in Scottsdale and compete. He will be a Champion soon enough!!! Go Kyle!!!
Kyle, many guys in their 20′s have kept their cards for years without ever getting as close as you did last week, and most of them have eventually disappeared without trace.
You’re fast-tracking your apprenticeship in the top flight. Fantastic stuff; keep it up!
Way to play today, Kyle!! All of us back home (Washington State) are here for you and ROOTING for your continued success!! We are PROUD of you!
He has a solid game, I wish the media would just take off some where and leave him alone now.
I sometimes question the intelligence of media personnel.
it’s not easy to win on the pga tour, just ask harrison frazar.
briny baird still hasn’t won!!!!
this guy looked good for almost all of the tournament last week…. but there is no guarantee that he will win in the near future.
about 40 tournaments a year. 2 for webb, 2 for stricker. 2 for tiger and or phil, watney, kuchar, johnsons, rory, toms etc etc.
not much left for the rank and file.
Thought Kyle was outstanding last week and surely a future multiple winner in the making. You couldn’t write the script if he was to get over the winning line on Sunday following last Sunday’s heartbreak.
Good job Kyle! Last week is over and done with. Start each tournament with the goal of winning. Trust you game and you will win many events. Look at how many times Jack Nicklaus finished 2nd in majors. “Just win baby”!
Kyle is going to be a star. I would not be surprised if he qualified for the Ryder Cup Team this year. A lot of people didn’t notice, but he got into contention a couple of times last year as a rookie and played pretty well. He got beat by a phenomenal shot by Stricker at John Deere.
THIS KID WILL WIN MANY TIMES …. HE IS A PLAYER … MADE THE CUT IN THE FIRST 9 OF 10 TOURNAMENTS LAST YEAR … GREAT STUFF TO COME . I’m really looking forward to see him move up in the rankings this year