An takes Phoenix Open lead in front of record 204,906 fans

The first few thousand fans rushed to fill the general admission seats on the stadium 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale when the gates opened at 7 a.m. Saturday.

Byeong Hun An led the way inside the ropes in his first appearance at the game’s biggest party, shooting a 6-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Martin Laird.

The 25-year-old South Korean player opened with consecutive 66s to share the second-round lead with Brendan Steele.

An won the 2009 U.S. Amateur at 17 to become the youngest winner in event history, and took the European Tour’s 2015 BMW PGA Championship for his biggest professional victory.

[...] Jordan Spieth had a 67 to reach 8 under, Fowler was at 9 under after a 69, Phil Mickelson was six strokes back at 10 under after a 65, and Steele dropped into a tie for seventh at 11 under after a 70.

Sergio Garcia made a birdie putt from six feet in darkness to take a three-shot lead into the final day of the Dubai Desert Classic.