Hisatsune Leads WM Phoenix Open as Scheffler Advances
In a thrilling round at the 2026 WM Phoenix Open, Ryo Hisatsune emerged as the standout competitor, leading with an impressive 11-under score. His performance included four birdies and an eagle in the final six holes. Hisatsune now shares the spotlight with fellow Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama, who also had a strong showing with a 7-under 64, placing him second on the leaderboard.
Key Highlights from the WM Phoenix Open
These events mark a historic moment as this is the first time since 1983 that two Japanese players are leading the tournament. They will play together in the final group on Saturday.
Leaderboard Overview
At the end of the second round, the leaderboard featured:
- 1. Ryo Hisatsune -11
- 2. Hideki Matsuyama -10
- 3. Pierceson Coody -8
- 3. Chris Gotterup -8
- 5. Si Woo Kim -7
- 5. Sahith Theegala -7
- 5. John Parry -7
- 5. Akshay Bhatia -7
- 5. Matt Fitzpatrick -7
As the day progressed, play was suspended for the second time due to darkness, with three players still needing to complete their rounds. The projected cutline stands at 1 under, a statistic that appears stable as the competition continues.
Scottie Scheffler’s Comeback
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler rebounded strongly from a disappointing start. After shooting a 2-over 73 on Thursday, he finished with a 6-under 65, bringing his total to 4 under, securely above the cutline. Scheffler is set to continue his remarkable streak of making the cut for 66 consecutive tournaments.
Notable Performances
Sahith Theegala capitalized on his sponsor exemption, shooting a 6-under 65 and moving into the top five. His outstanding play included three hole-outs from off the green and two eagles. Theegala is now in a position to challenge for his second PGA Tour victory this weekend.
Another noteworthy performance came from Si Woo Kim, who fired a remarkable 9-under 62. This surge boosted him into the leaderboard’s top five after a less favorable 73 in the previous round.
Prize Money Details
The total purse for the WM Phoenix Open this year is set at $9.6 million, with the winner receiving a substantial $1.728 million, representing 18% of the total purse.
As competitors prepare for Saturday’s action, all eyes will be on Hisatsune and Matsuyama as they vie for the championship at TPC Scottsdale. The tension and excitement are palpable as the weekend unfolds at the prestigious WM Phoenix Open.
