A big three paired together on day one of WM Open

Not that there wasn’t already enough buzz surrounding day one of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but paired together were three of the top golfers on the tour added extra excitement to the start of the tourney at TPC Scottsdale.

Fan favorites Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson were paired together to kick off their weekend. The three are very familiar with one another and enjoyed the day.

“I had a fun day together. I got to play with two great guys in Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson,” said Phil Mickelson. “We all played ok, we’re all a few under par.”

“Two guys that I love playing with. Dustin lives close to me and I’ve spent some time with Phil in practice round and the Ryder Cup together,” added Rickie Fowler. “They are a lot of fun.” 

“It was fun out here. We had a big crowd following us today, me, Phil and Rickie. It was a good day and the fans were great,” said Dustin Johnson.

The bright lime green that Rickie Fowler was sporting was not distracting to Mickelson.

“I like the way he dresses. It’s not for me, but I think he dresses really sharp,” said Mickelson.

“I know green day is Saturday and people have asked why I wore green today but Puma has given me plenty of green,” explained Fowler. 

Mickelson and Johnson both stand three back of the leader at three under, Fowler four back at two under.

As for the leader after the first day, Webb Simpson is six under par after round one shooting a 65. Simpson finished in the top 10 a couple years ago and talked about what how much he likes this course.

“It’s one of those courses that just fits your eye well,” Simpson explained Thursday. “You know when you come to Scottsdale in February it is not going to rain, so I love coming here.”

And the weather is expected to be as good, if not bettter Thursday from the TPC Scottsdale for Round Two.

For up to the minute coverage of the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open, follow Jared Cohen on twitter at @JaredPros2Preps.