Round 1: Waste Management Phoenix Open

February 3 2012

1:07 pm

Defending champ climbs leaderboard

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Maybe it’s seeing Jason Dufner near the top of the leaderboard. Maybe he simply likes TPC Scottsdale.

Most likely, though, it’s because Mark Wilson, who beat Dufner in a playoff in Phoenix a year ago, is simply playing well. He won the Humana Challenge two weeks ago so it’s no surprise to see Wilson three shots off the lead held by Spencer Levin as the second round heats up.

Wilson, who started on the back nine Friday morning, has played his first six holes in 5 under. He’s made three birdies and an eagle and now stands 6 under for the tournament.

Wilson set the tone for the day when he rolled in birdie putts of 15 and 3 feet on his first two holes. He holed a 14-footer from just off the green for the eagle at the 13th, then birdied No. 15 on a 15-foot putt.