SCOTTSDALE, Arizona (AP) — Thomas Detry came close to a hole-in-one on the energetic 16th hole with a series of four consecutive birdies, carding a 6-under 65 on Sunday to clinch the Phoenix Open title by a commanding seven shots for his inaugural PGA Tour triumph. A year following a tournament marred by wet conditions and numerous delays, players were greeted with perfect weather at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. The spectators, known for their lively demeanor at the wildest stop on the PGA Tour, were notably well-behaved, in contrast to the chaos seen during the 2024 event.
Detry capitalized on the favorable conditions and successfully navigated the rowdy atmosphere to head into the final round with a five-stroke advantage. Despite strong charges from top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, and Daniel Berger, Detry’s approach shot on the 16th hole, landing just 16 inches from the cup, solidified his victory in his 68th PGA Tour start. With two additional birdies, Detry concluded at 24-under 260, becoming the first Belgian player to secure a PGA Tour victory.
Berger, shooting a 67, tied for second place with Michael Kim (67) at 17 under. Spieth posted a 68 to share fourth place at 16 under in only his second tournament following wrist surgery last summer. Justin Thomas’ spectacular 103-yard eagle on the 18th hole, resulting in a 65, placed him in a tie for sixth at 15 under.
This moment had been long awaited by Detry. The 32-year-old had previously claimed the European Tour’s Bridgestone Challenge in 2016, represented Belgium twice at the Olympics, and had finished as a runner-up twice on the PGA Tour—most recently at the 2024 Houston Open. The missing piece had been a PGA Tour victory.
Detry positioned himself for success with exceptional ball-striking and putting in the desert. Starting the final round at 18 under, he wasted no time in extending his lead, sinking a 12-foot birdie putt on the first hole. Despite missing an up-and-down from a greenside bunker on the second hole, he rebounded with a birdie on the third. Detry recorded a 1-under 34 on the front nine and maintained a four-shot lead heading into the back nine. He reached 20 under with a birdie on the challenging 470-yard, par-4 11th hole and added a two-putt birdie on the 15th before his near-perfect shot on the 16th.
Several players applied pressure on Detry as they surged up the leaderboard. Berger made a late push, narrowing the gap to three strokes with birdies on the 12th and 13th holes, followed by a remarkable chip-in
