Jason Day's resurgence continues with Australia's former world No.1 just one shot off the pace during the weather-hit first round of the US PGA Tour event in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Day was four under through 10 holes when play was suspended for the day at the prestigious Phoenix Open, where 18 of the world's top 20 players teed off.
He was trailing only Canadian joint leaders Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor, who were safely in the clubhouse after each signing for a five-under 66 as frost and wind caused havoc at TPC Scottsdale.
Xander Schauffele had a 67 and fellow American Jim Herman was also four under but with five holes still to play in his opening round.
Backing up from his equal-seventh at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, Day birdied the first, third, sixth and 10th holes and didn't post a bogey in tricky scoring conditions to be tied third.
Without a win since 2018, the 35-year-old has posted five top-20 finishes from his past seven starts, plus a tie for 21st in another, to seemingly be edging closer towards a drought-breaking victory.
He needs one to make the Masters field, with the season's first major getting under way at Augusta National in less than two months.
A win this week over the strongest PGA Tour field in months would be a huge confidence booster for Day, who is down to No.92 in the world - having dropped out of the top 100 for a period - and only qualified for one of the four majors last year.
Day already enjoys a six-shot advantage over world No.1 Rory McIlroy, who opened with a two-over 73.
"I actually felt the best swing I made of the day was the par-3 seventh, and hit it 20 yards over the green," McIlroy said.
Frost initially delayed the start of play by almost two hours, before wind gusts up to 40kph and cold temperatures as low as four degrees greeted players as golf's supposed biggest party kicked off Super Bowl week in the Valley of the Sun.
"Tricky day," McIlroy said.
"Hopefully, the wind keeps up this afternoon for the guys out there, and we'll get back at it tomorrow."
Day's fellow Australian Lucas Herbert rallied for an even-par 71, shooting two under for the back nine to stay in contention.
Local favourite Jon Rahm eagled the par-5 13th to get to three under before play was suspended.
The former Arizona State star from Spain opened the year with consecutive victories in the Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express.
Defending champion Scottie Scheffler was one under through 11 holes.
Jordan Spieth shot 71, making four birdies and four bogeys. Justin Thomas was one over after 12 holes.
McIlroy is trying to make it three wins in a row on the PGA Tour after taking the Tour Championship in August and The CJ Cup in October. He also won two weeks ago in Dubai on the European tour in his first start of the year.
With AP
