Five days after weather shortened the Pebble Beach Pro-Am to 54 holes, storms followed the PGA Tour to the desert.

A chilly morning gave way to wind and heavy rain that left pools of water on the greens at TPC Scottsdale. The Stadium Course was deemed unplayable around noon, leading to a delay of three-and-a-half hours.

About half the field was able to finish following the delay, leaving the rest to return Friday morning to resume their first rounds.

Aaron Baddeley was among those to complete 18 holes. The Australian carded a two-under 69 to be tied eighth and just four behind the lead.

Baddeley made his run on the back nine – his front nine – making three birdies and a lone bogey before coming home with par.

Compatriot Adam Scott was even-par after five holes with Min Woo Lee a shot further behind after six holes.

Theegala returned after the stoppage to sink an eight-foot birdie putt on the par-4 6th and closed with two pars. His closest pursuer was Andrew Novak, who is five-under through nine holes.

"The weather was, it was not good, (but) those last four holes felt great, so I think there might be some good scores (Friday) with the wave that just teed off," Theegala said.

"It's going to be cold, but hopefully no rain and wind. We'll see. I played great and that's all I can do, really.

"I'm going to try and stay off my phone tomorrow. I know it's going to be a while until I tee off, but hopefully I tee off tomorrow."

Sahith Theegala was the pick of the bunch during a wet and cold opening day at TPC Scottsdale. PHOTO: Getty Images.

S.H. Kim eagled the par-5 13th and got to six-under with consecutive birdies starting on 5, but closed with two bogeys to shoot 67, matching Shane Lowry. Jordan Spieth shot 68.

Two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler was one-over through six holes in his bid to become the first PGA Tour player to win the same tournament three straight times since Steve Stricker at the John Deere Classic from 2009-11.

Theegala broke through with his first PGA Tour win last autumn at the Fortinet Championship, earning a spot in The Sentry to open the 2024 season. The former Pepperdine star finished second in Maui, a shot behind Chris Kirk, and tied for 20th at Pebble Beach last week.

Theegala, who tied for third at the 2022 Phoenix Open, kicked off this year's tournament with three birdies in his opening nine after starting on the 10th. He chipped in on the par-4 2nd to start a run of three straight birdies before a bogey at the 5th dropped him to five-under.

Then the rain and wind came.

Six groups managed to finish before the weather rolled in, leaving a majority of the field biding their time in the clubhouse.

Thousands of fans remained at the stadium 16th hole – after continuing to imbibe, no doubt – and let out a roar when the horn sounded to resume play.

Theegala took advantage of a booming drive for his birdie on 6 and Kim bogeyed the par-4 8th after pulling his second shot left of the green. Kim then three-putted from 31 feet for bogey on 9.

Novak sank a 28-foot eagle putt on the 4th and had three-straight birdies before the round was called because of darkness.