Jones Shoots a 63, Leads Strange by One Stroke at Phoenix Open

Steve Jones had a bogey-free, eight-under-par 63 Thursday to take a one-shot lead over late-charging Curtis Strange before first-round play was suspended at the Phoenix Open.

Play was stopped because of darkness with 21 players on the course. None were in contention for the lead.

The start of the $1-million tournament was delayed for one hour by morning frost on the 6,992-yard TPC course. Most of the top scores were posted by the early finishers in the 144-man field.

Jones, who lives in Phoenix, started at 8:41 a.m. and had five of his eight birdies on the back nine. Strange, who didn’t tee off until 1:04 p.m., birdied his final three holes on the front nine and had two birdies on the back side.

Sandy Lyle, the 1988 winner, was at 65 along with Bob Tway, Russ Cochran, Robert Wrenn, Nolan Henke, Gene Sauers and 1984 champion Tom Purtzer.

Davis Love III and Gil Morgan were at 66, with Kirk Triplett, Brad Fabel, Bruce Lietzke and amateur Phil Mickelson all at 67.

Mickelson, a 20-year-old left-hander from Arizona State, won the Northern Telecom Open in Tucson two weeks ago.

Defending champion Tommy Armour III and 1987 winner Paul Azinger both shot opening-round 69s.