SCOTTSDALE, Arizona – Thomas Detry, the talented Belgian golfer, managed to compose himself under pressure, leading to his first victory on the PGA Tour. Known for previously being easily flustered during tense moments, Detry took a more mindful approach in his final rounds by incorporating meditation and cold ice baths into his routine at TPC Scottsdale. This new focus brought him success as he achieved victory in the Phoenix Open by a remarkable seven strokes.
Displaying a calm demeanor throughout the challenging final day, Detry almost made a hole-in-one at the lively 16th hole, culminating in an impressive finish with a 6-under 65. “Today I paid more attention,” Detry reflected. “Yesterday morning, I was comfortable, repeated my routine, and surprisingly felt no nerves at the first tee.”
Unlike the previous year when rainy conditions caused several delays, players were welcomed with pristine weather at the bustling Stadium Course this time. Fans were also more subdued, trying to maintain decorum after the uproar during last year’s tournament.
Entering the final round with a comfortable five-shot lead, Detry capitalized on the favorable circumstances. Although seasoned golfers Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, and Daniel Berger attempted to make their way up the leaderboard, Detry’s sharp shot that landed just 16 inches from the flag on the 16th helped cement his position. He completed the tournament with a total score of 24-under 260, marking a historic moment as the first Belgian to win on the PGA Tour.
“I did my best to apply pressure on him, but it felt like Detry matched every good shot I made with another birdie,” said Berger, who finished with a 67 and shared second place with Michael Kim (also 67) at 17 under. Spieth managed a 68, finishing tied for fourth at 16 under as he continued his comeback following wrist surgery last summer.
Justin Thomas made an impressive showing as well, hitting an eagle from 103 yards on the 18th and finishing joint sixth at 15 under after shooting a 65. “I felt like I played really well this week and deserved a bit of good fortune,” Thomas noted.
Detry, who has long awaited this achievement, previously claimed victory at the European Tour’s Bridgestone Challenge in 2016 and represented Belgium at the Olympics on two occasions. With two previous runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour, including a recent second place at the 2024 Houston Open, this win was a significant milestone.
Starting the final round at 18 under, Detry quickly built on his score by nailing a 12-foot birdie putt on the first hole. After struggling on the second, he swiftly responded with a birdie on the par-5 third. He managed to shoot 1-under 34 on the front nine, maintaining a four-shot lead before extending it further. He recorded a birdie on the challenging 11th hole, reached 20 under with a successful birdie on the 15th, and nearly hit a hole-in-one at the 16th.
Closing out the tournament, Detry demonstrated his skill once more by making a 9-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole. “On this course, while there are plenty of birdies to be made, errant shots can lead to tricky pins and firm greens that can bite back,” he said. “I trusted my game and stayed focused.”
Despite the pressure exerted by his competitors, such as Berger, who made a valiant effort to close the gap with birdies on the 12th and 13th, Detry maintained his lead. Berger’s comeback fell short, especially after a bogey on the 16th.
Meanwhile, Spieth shot a solid 33 on the front nine, but struggled with only one birdie in his final 11 holes. “It felt like a big week of progress for me,” he stated. “I feel like I’m trending in the right direction.” Scheffler, who had previously struggled due to an injury, fell back with a 5-over 41 on the back nine, settling for a final score that placed him 25th.
In the end, Detry’s commendable performance ensured he was well ahead, leaving little suspense regarding the final standings as he clinched his memorable victory at the Phoenix Open.
