SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Thomas Detry came close to a hole-in-one on the lively par-3 16th hole, scoring a 6-under 65 on Sunday to clinch a seven-shot victory at the Phoenix Open for his inaugural PGA Tour win. Following a tournament marred by delays due to wet conditions last year, players were greeted with perfect weather at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. The fans, known for their exuberance, were on their best behavior, creating a more controlled atmosphere compared to the chaotic scenes of the 2024 event.
Detry capitalized on the favorable conditions and managed the rowdy crowds well, entering the final round with a five-shot lead. Despite challenges from top-ranked Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, and Daniel Berger, Detry’s near-perfect shot on the 16th hole sealed his victory in his 68th PGA Tour start. Adding two more birdies, Detry finished at 24-under 260, becoming the first Belgian to claim a PGA Tour triumph.
Berger (67) and Michael Kim shared second place, while Spieth’s 68 landed him in a tie for fourth at 16 under, marking his second tournament appearance since wrist surgery last summer. Scheffler initially surged with a 31 on the front nine, reaching 14 under, but faltered with a 5-over 41 on the back nine to finish tied for 25th at 8 under in his second event following a hand injury sustained from broken glass.
LPGA Tour
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — Yealimi Noh turned a one-shot deficit into a three-shot lead over three-time champion Jin Young Ko in just two holes on the back nine on Sunday, securing her first LPGA Tour victory at the Founders Cup. The 23-year-old from Northern California carded a 3-under 68 to finish at 21-under 263 at Bradenton Country Club, outpacing Ko by four shots (71). Noh, in her first start of the season, surged into the lead with a stellar 63 on Saturday after making her last bogey of the week on Friday.
Noh, in her 111th career start and sixth season on tour, maintained steady play with 10 consecutive pars, allowing Ko to briefly take the lead. However, Noh regained control with crucial birdies on the 13th and 14th holes, while Ko faltered with bogeys — her first of the week. Ko missed an opportunity to add to her Founders Cup wins at the fourth venue, having triumphed in 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Megan Khang (68) finished a shot behind in third place, with Miyu Yamashita, Hannah Green, and Jin Hee Im tied for fourth
61-year-old Miguel Angel Jimenez secured his 14th PGA Tour Champions victory, edging out Steven Alker by a margin of two strokes. Jimenez showcased his prowess by driving the green on the par-4 17th hole to set up an eagle, ultimately finishing with a 4-under 69 in the final round at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. The Spanish golf maestro concluded the tournament with a remarkable 11-under 208, setting a new tournament record. Alker, on the other hand, carded a 71 in the final round.
In another event, the Korn Ferry Tour made headlines in Bogota, Colombia, as Kyle Westmoreland clinched his inaugural Korn Ferry Tour title at the Astara Golf Championship. Battling light rain, Westmoreland carded a solid 1-under 71 in the final round, securing a narrow one-stroke triumph. The victory came on the heels of Westmoreland’s exceptional performance the previous day, where he shot a career-best 61 at Country Club de Bogota’s Lagos Course. The 33-year-old Air Force Academy graduate finished strong at 18-under 265.
Elsewhere in the golfing world, England’s Cara Gainer emerged victorious in a playoff against India’s Diksha Dagar at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco, claiming her maiden Ladies European Tour title. Gainer’s closing 4-under 69 matched Dagar’s impressive 67, with both players finishing at 9-under 210. In another thrilling competition, Josh Geary triumphed at the Vic Open held at the 13th Beach Golf Links, securing his first PGA Tour of Australasia title in nearly 12 years. Despite battling high winds, Geary posted a 6-over 78 to finish at 13 under, four strokes ahead of Connor McKinney. Lastly, Jamie Rutherford of England emerged victorious at the Cape Town Open, capturing his first Sunshine Tour title with a gritty 3-under 69 performance in challenging windy conditions, finishing at 14 under. Keenan Davidse finished two strokes behind Rutherford after carding a 67.
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