Scheffler and Fitzpatrick headline PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open

The PGA Tour returns to TPC Scottsdale on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026 (ET), with Scottie Scheffler arriving as the clear center of gravity: world No. 1 form, recent hardware, and a chance to win the WM Phoenix Open for the third time. Matt Fitzpatrick is also in the field looking for a sharper week after recent uneven results, setting up an early-season test where scoring chances exist—but mistakes can pile up fast on a course that punishes loose drives.

PGA Tour heads to Phoenix

The WM Phoenix Open runs Feb. 5–8 (ET) at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, one of the loudest stops on the schedule and a venue that often turns momentum into a weapon. The setup typically rewards players who drive it in play and attack par-5s, while demanding discipline around the greens when wind and firm surfaces show up.

This year’s early storyline is straightforward: can Scheffler turn an already-strong start into another Phoenix title, and can Fitzpatrick find the ball-striking sharpness that makes him dangerous on any demanding layout?

Scottie Scheffler’s three-peat chase

Scheffler won in Phoenix in 2022 and 2023, and he arrives this week with another reminder of his ceiling after winning The American Express in late January—his 20th career PGA Tour title, a milestone that also locked in lifetime PGA Tour status.

A third win at TPC Scottsdale would be more than a neat stat. It would underline a recurring theme of the last few seasons: when Scheffler’s tee-to-green dominance is paired with even average putting, he can separate quickly on courses that reward sustained pressure.

The course’s most famous amphitheater hole amplifies that pressure. In Phoenix, a comfortable round can turn into a scramble in one swing, and the roars can make routine shots feel like a major. Scheffler has handled that environment before; the question is whether anyone can keep pace for four days.

Matt Fitzpatrick’s reset week

Fitzpatrick’s path is different: less about defending a reputation and more about rebuilding traction. He missed the cut at this event last year after a first two rounds that never fully ignited, and he comes in needing a steadier opening stretch in 2026.

For Fitzpatrick, the template is familiar. When his iron play is crisp and he controls distances into Scottsdale’s tiered greens, he can turn the course into a precision contest. When he’s slightly off with the driver, the Stadium Course can force conservative recoveries that bleed birdie chances.

Phoenix also tends to reward players who stay patient through chaotic stretches—weather shifts, long waits, and momentum swings that come with packed galleries. That mental game has often been a strength for Fitzpatrick; translating it into a low Thursday start is the immediate objective.

What to know about Round 1 tee times

Thursday’s opening round (Feb. 5, ET) features marquee groups early and late, with Scheffler and Fitzpatrick each drawing significant attention as the tournament begins. Tee times are spread across the day to accommodate field size and broadcast windows.

The next four days: what could decide it

In a typical Phoenix week, three factors separate contenders from the pack:

1. Driving accuracy under pressure. The Stadium Course offers chances, but it punishes misses with awkward angles and recovery shots that cap scoring.

2. Par-5 execution. Players who consistently convert the longer holes into birdies create breathing room when the rest of the course tightens.

3. Composure in the loudest moments. Phoenix is a rare blend of festival energy and elite golf; leaders have to treat the noise as background rather than a verdict.

For Scheffler, the forward look is about stacking another win before the season’s biggest stretches arrive. For Fitzpatrick, it’s about building a tournament that feels stable from the first tee shot—because in Phoenix, the weekend can disappear quickly if Thursday and Friday don’t cooperate.

Sources consulted: PGA TOUR, Reuters, ESPN, Golf.com