Palmer leads by one at suspended Phoenix Open

A one hour frost delay set everything in motion late at the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix in round one as 42 players were unable to finish their first rounds.

Delays are not uncommon at this event. Last year, delays forced the event to go to a Monday finish before crowning a champion.

Ryan Palmer closed out his first round, posting a seven-under 64 to take a one shot lead over Webb Simpson as it became too dark to continue play on Thursday.

Palmer, starting on the back nine today carded four birdies on the front nine to go out in 32. Over his next six holes, he would add four more birdies before his first and only slip of the day on No. 7.

His eight birdies in round one was the best; so far, during round one.

“I knew I was going to be here in the morning for the second round, so I wasn’t worried about it if we had to come back and restart.” said Palmer after his first round. “So, I didn’t think about it and I just kept hitting shots and sticking to my game plan.”

Simpson on the other hand finished his first round play in plenty of time before darkness set in.

He capped off his opening round firing a six-under 65. One behind Palmer and one better than a big group of eight players at five-under.

Simpson caught fire making his turn, starting on the back nine as well, on No. 14.

He tore off six birdies in a seven hole stretch before giving a stroke back on No. 6.

The two-time PGA Tour winner from 2011 came into Phoenix after taking two weeks off after the Sony Open in Hawaii.

Round two will begin after the 42 players that were unable to finish on Thursday, are able to complete their first round and the hole locations can be changed.

Some players played only 12 holes yesterday in their first round, so it could be quite a while before round two begins on Friday.