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Oosthuizen going strong in Arizona

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - FEBRUARY 02: Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa plays his tee shot on the sixth hole during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 2, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
  • Post published:February 3, 2017

There were 103,420 fans through the gate during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Thursday and Louis Oosthuizen gave them a taste of magic with birdies at the ninth and 18th holes.

The 2010 Open Champion signed for a three-under-par 68 and a share of 18th place, four shots behind the lead.

Top spot was taken by the evergreen Matt Kuchar, who sank putts all over the back side of TPC Scottsdale en route to a 64.

The tournament is famous for huge crowds, especially around the par-three 16th green, and they were on form in the first round on Thursday.

Hideki Matsuyama wasted no time in his title defence and shot a bogey-free 65 to share second place alongside Brendan Steele, while five players shared fourth place, another shot behind the lead.

Tyrone van Aswegen was fresh off a tie for 20th at the Farmers Insurance Open last week and salvaged a round of 70 after turning at three over par. He played flawless golf on the back nine and picked up four birdies there to share 38th place on one under par.

Retief Goosen started on the 10th and was one under par heading to the 18th, but took a troublesome double bogey that led to a round of one over par 72. He was tied for 76th going into Friday and in need of a decent showing to make the weekend.