Sam Ryder Leads 2018 Houston Open After Round 1 Suspended for Darkness

The 2018 Houston Open teed off at the Golf Club of Houston on Thursday—but Mother Nature did not allow the full round to be played. 

Many of the world's best players, such as Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson, gathered in Texas to take part. However, as he has been known to do, Tiger Woods decided not to take part in the event the week before The Masters.

Russell Henley, last year's winner, is back to try to defend his title.

Here's a recap of Thursday's opening-round action as golfers get one last tuneup for The Masters:

2018 Houston Open Leaderboard - After One Round

1. Sam Ryder (Thru 15) (-8)

T2. Lucas Glover 65 (-7)

T2. Kevin Tway 65 (-7)

T2. Beau Hossler (Thru 16) (-7)

T5. Rickie Fowler 66 (-6)

T5. Rod Pampling 66 (-6)

T5. Julian Suri 66 (-6)

T5. Ryan Armour 66 (-6)

T5. Paul Dunne (Thru 14) (-6)

Full leaderboard can be viewed on the PGA Tour's official website

Recap

Rain delayed the start of the opening round by two hours, and as the field was finishing up around 8 p.m. CT, play was suspended due to darkness. On the plus side, there was plenty to soak in from the Golf Club of Houston.

After winning last year's tournament by shooting 20 under par, Henley shot a 69 on Day 1 to get off to a nice start.

Lucas Glover and Kevin Tway set the tone on the course early on, each posting an impressive seven-under 65. But it was Sam Ryder who came on late to take the lead into Friday. Eight birdies in 15 holes helped him surge to the top of the leaderboard as the night went on, and he has to be hoping that an overnight delay doesn't throw off his momentum.

Mickelson got off to an incredible start, nabbing birdies on six of the first eight holes:

That's the definition of being in the zone.

Unfortunately for Lefty, the back nine was not kind. He did not manage a single birdie there, and a double-bogey on 14 knocked him down the leaderboard. His luck didn't get any better on the 16th hole:

It was a disappointing finish to the day for Mickelson, but even despite that, he still finds himself just four strokes back.

Perhaps the shot of the day came from Julian Suri on the seventh:

That was just one of seven birdies for him, and he's just two stroke off the lead in a tie for fifth.

Rickie Fowler was feeling it on Thursday, shooting a six-under to end the day near the top of the leaderboard as well.

Not far back in the pack, Spieth hung around with a four-under, although his performance was hampered by two bogeys. However, a 68 puts him in a solid position to start the tournament:

"The game feels really good right now," Spieth said, per Ewan Murray of the Guardian. "That four under felt more like a six under, but that means good things are coming."

As for other notables, Henrik Stenson (68) and Justin Rose (68) are in contention, while Rafael Cabrera Bello (71) has some work to do.

Play will resume bright and early Friday morning:

The weather did not cooperate on Thursday, but the stage has been set for what should be an entertaining weekend of golf.