Breakout star Theegala has 'no expectations at all' from first place in Phoenix

Theegala, playing on a sponsor's exemption, had taken a one-shot lead into the day's play – albeit only after a suspension on Thursday due to bad light.

Starting with a par putt at the 17th on seven under, Theegala missed the hole and then bogeyed the 18th, too, falling back to five under.

But the 24-year-old, who turned professional in 2020 but is still living with his parents, got back in the groove in round two.

Three consecutive birdies and a fourth at the par-four fifth put Theegala in a great position, turning in 32 after a bogey at the eighth.

Sponsor's exemption @SRTheegala had the lead at @WMPhoenixOpen when play was suspended yesterday.He's currently T1 and -3 in Round 2. pic.twitter.com/9BhFMiJGME

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 11, 2022

It only got better from there with a bogey-free back nine that featured four birdies, including at each of the last two holes – ending his Friday in far more convincing fashion than he had started it.

Theegala's only top-10 finish on the PGA Tour to date was a tie for eighth at the Sanderson Farms Championship in October, but he heads into the weekend at Scottsdale leading a star-studded field.

"I haven't had time to let it set in," he said after signing for a seven-under 64 to move to 12 under.

"Hopefully I don't think too much about it, because obviously what I've been doing has been working the first couple days.

"I'm just thankful that I'm here and trying to make the most of the opportunity – no expectations at all, honestly."

Having already threatened to crumble once, the pressure is only set to ramp up from here. Theegala's closest challengers are Brooks Koepka (66) and Xander Schauffele (65) at 10 under. Patrick Cantlay (66) is a shot further back.