SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Thomas Detry delivered an impressive performance on Saturday, carding a 6-under 65 to seize a five-shot advantage going into the final day of the Phoenix Open, as he pursues his inaugural PGA Tour title.
Detry commenced the day with a two-shot lead after an impressive 64 on Friday. He quickly extended that advantage by sinking four birdies in just his first five holes, capitalizing on the ideal weather conditions at TPC Scottsdale.
“Getting off to such a good start was kind of the dream today,” Detry remarked. “I felt a bit nervous on the first and I hit that 9-iron to 2 or 3 feet. I also found many fairways. I don’t think I missed a shot in those first five or six holes.”
The two-time Belgian Olympian rounded off his day with a 19-foot par putt on the 18th hole, concluding the round at 18-under 195 on the Stadium Course.
Meanwhile, Jordan Spieth, eyeing his first tour victory since 2022, joined three other golfers tied for second place after carding a bogey-free 67. On the 18th hole, he managed a par despite challenges from bunkers on both his tee shot and second shot, marking an impressive stretch of 45 holes without a bogey.
Spieth, returning from wrist surgery, expressed optimism about his recovery, saying, “This is certainly ahead of schedule for this week. I’ve had a good history here, so I’ll see how I continue to progress on other courses, but tomorrow I need to hit more fairways if I want to catch Thomas.”
Rasmus Hojgaard, Daniel Berger, and Michael Kim also find themselves at 13-under. Hojgaard managed a 65 after overcoming a double bogey on the 15th, finishing off with consecutive birdies. Berger shot a 66, which included an eagle on the 15th hole, along with birdies on the 16th and 18th holes. Kim completed the day with a score of 68.
Although Detry’s momentum slowed after his blistering start, he successfully preserved his lead with several critical saves. One standout moment came on the par-5 13th, where Detry scrambled after his tee shot found trouble near a cactus, ultimately salvaging par.
Another crucial save was on the 18th hole, where Detry faced a bunker challenge but managed to scramble for par with a 19-footer that elicited cheers from the crowd. This gave him a formidable lead heading into the final round.
“It’s all about how you deal with those emotions,” Detry noted. “It’s fine to think about it, but then you have to refocus on the present. I believe that will be key for tomorrow.”
Maverick McNealy surged up the leaderboard with an impressive 63, highlighted by a run of four consecutive birdies from holes five to eight. He finished the day in sixth place at 12-under.
Scottie Scheffler, the tournament’s past winner in both 2022 and 2023, closed out his round with a birdie, finishing with a score of 68, but remained eight shots back from Detry.
Detry, who was the Big Ten champion for Illinois in 2016, has demonstrated consistency this season, making the cut in all four events he has entered. His previous performances included a fifth-place finish at The Sentry and a tie for 15th at the Farmers Insurance Open. This strong start is in line with his past accomplishments, where he recorded four top-10 finishes and secured second place at the Houston Open last year.
The perfect weather, with temperatures in the 70s and abundant sunshine, drew large crowds to the lively event, typically seeing the highest attendance on Saturdays.
Unlike last year’s chaotic atmosphere that led to the venue closing its gates and regulating alcohol sales, this year saw enhanced security and improved organizational measures, including a new entrance to alleviate congestion. Officials implemented a no same-day ticket policy to better manage attendee numbers, and several high-traffic walkways were widened.
These adjustments have resulted in a more controlled environment for the spectators. While enthusiasm was still palpable, particularly at the lively 16th hole, the atmosphere was far more manageable compared to previous years.
“Previous years, it started to get a little out of hand, but right now it’s in a sweet spot,” McNealy stated. “This is an experience that would be enjoyable every week on the PGA Tour.”
