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Written by Drummond Golf
Saturday, 04 February 2012 03:15
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 While Ryan Palmer sits at the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Australian Jarrod Lyle was the major surprise of the day (February 2) after he only snuck into the field when Nick Watney withdrew.
Lyle fired a fantastic 66 at the TPC Scottsdale course in Arizona, to be equal third alongside a host of other players at five under the card - one shot behind Webb Simpson and a further stroke to the frontrunner Palmer.
The 30-year-old Victorian began the week as the second emergency player and was prepared to spend his time practicing once the event got underway.
But having made it into the tournament Lyle produced a quality round that included four birdies, a bogey and an eagle at the par-five 13th.
Lyle said afterwards that his 2012 season has started well and continues to improve.
"Obviously, after three weeks I'm getting back in that tournament groove, tournament swing of things. I feel good about it," he said.
"I played nicely so hopefully all the work I've been doing after Christmas and since I've been back over here [in the US] I can see it's starting to improve - and definitely the putting has come along vastly."
American Palmer was the standout performer on day on with eight birdies and just a single bogey at the par-three seventh.
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