PGA Tour news: Canadian duo lead weather-delayed Phoenix Open as Rory McIlroy struggles

Nick Taylor and Adam Hadwin, who both hail from north of the US border but now call Arizona home, were given plenty of support by the customarily raucous Phoenix crowds as they took a one-shot lead over Xander Schauffele, Jim Herman and Jason Day.

Because of a frost delay early in the morning, many players were not able to complete their rounds before darkness halted play, but Taylor and Hadwin both reached the clubhouse safely, having done well to master the cold and blustery conditions.

"I feel like a lot of guys that grew up in the cold, we get asked (if we're used to these conditions) a lot," Taylor said. "We did it a lot, but we probably prefer the heat now because we've moved south.

"I've played enough in it where I kind of know what to expect."

Taylor admitted his second nine was no picnic due to the prevailing winds.

"All those holes are playing a lot longer than typical," he said. "I've seen a lot of wind conditions, but this was one of the toughest stretches I've played out here."

Of the chasing trio, only Schauffele managed to complete his round of 66. Herman still has five holes of his first round to play, while Australian Day had completed only one hole of his back nine.

Further down the field, Rory McIlroy had a day to forget on his 2023 PGA Tour debut, struggling off the tee on the way to a two-over-par 73.

McIlroy does not normally play in Phoenix but is making only his second appearance at the event now that it is one of the tour's new designated events, only one of which players are allowed to skip.

"I wouldn't say that this is a golf course that sets up terribly well for me," he said. "I struggle off the tee here. I feel like all the fairway bunkers are right in my landing zones.

"But it's a challenge, and again, I'm trying to embrace that challenge."

McIlroy's closest competitors for the World No 1 ranking are also in Phoenix this week. No 2 Scottie Scheffler lies on one under par after 11 holes, while Rahm is part of a large group on three under, just two back, having completed 13 holes of his opening round.