Little cheer for Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry in Stateside opener

GRANDSTAND VIEW: Rory McIlroy putts on the 16th green surrounded by fans during the first round of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. Pic: Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry got off to a less than satisfactory starts at the WM Phoenix Open on Thursday. While Seamus Power was on even-par after 10 when darkness halted play.

After a two-hour delay due to frost in Arizona, McIlroy opened his season on the PGA Tour with a two-over-par 73 that left his seven shots behind the early leader Nick Taylor at TPC Scottsdale, which is hosting the first full-field designated event of the year.