PGA leaderboard: Three-way tie at 12-under as Phoenix Open turns into a sprint

The PGA leaderboard at the WM Phoenix Open is jammed at the top on Saturday afternoon, with three players sharing the lead deep into Round 3 and a tight pack ready to pounce if the front-runners blink. The tournament’s signature atmosphere at TPC Scottsdale is doing what it often does: turning routine birdie chances into pressure moments, especially as the back nine and the closing stretch come into view.

As of 5:40 PM ET on Feb. 7, 2026, Round 3 was in progress and the top of the board was locked at -12.

Leaders tied at 12-under

Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune and Hideki Matsuyama were tied for the lead at -12, alongside Maverick McNealy at -12, setting up a weekend where one hot stretch can swing the entire tournament. Hisatsune and Matsuyama were both still on the course, while McNealy had charged with a low number on his card in the third round to join the lead group.

The shape of the Saturday storyline is clear: nobody has separated, meaning the final-round tee times are trending toward a stacked, must-watch cluster rather than a runaway.

PGA leaderboard top snapshot

A larger chase group also sits at -10, keeping the margin from first to fifth at just two shots—exactly the kind of spread that makes late tee shots and par saves feel enormous.

What’s driving the logjam

When scoring is available but not effortless, you often get a compressed board: enough birdies to move, enough trouble to stall. That’s the situation Saturday. Players have been able to post runs of birdies, but a single missed fairway or a cautious approach into a tucked pin can quickly flip momentum.

With the lead at -12 and plenty of holes still to play, the tournament has a “moving target” feel—leaders need to keep making birdies, but the risk of forcing it is real.

Big names hovering, not running away

The board includes several recognizable contenders within striking distance, reinforcing how quickly Sunday could turn. One strong finishing stretch late Saturday can reshape final-round pairings, and a fast start Sunday can erase a two- or three-shot gap in minutes.

Notably, Scottie Scheffler sits at -8 after completing his third round, keeping him within range if Sunday produces low scoring and the leaders trade pars. He’s not in the final group range right now, but he’s close enough that the top must keep moving.

The Saturday swing that matters most

The most important stretch in a crowded leaderboard is usually the point where players decide whether to protect position or attack. In Phoenix, that can arrive around the mid-to-late back nine, when the crowd grows louder, pacing speeds up, and each shot feels like it carries an extra half-stroke of pressure.

For the trio tied at -12, the task is simple on paper and difficult in practice:

• keep the ball in play to avoid the one big number,

• convert the birdie holes when they appear, and

• finish the round without giving the chasing pack an opening.

What to watch heading into Sunday

With the tournament trending toward a tight finish, a few practical indicators will matter more than broad narratives:

• Who finishes Round 3 cleanly. A closing birdie or bogey can change the final-group makeup and the Sunday strategy.

• Whether -12 holds. If the leaders keep scoring, Sunday becomes a birdie race. If they stall, the pack at -10 and -9 becomes dangerous.

• How many players start Sunday within three shots. The more players within a small margin, the more likely the lead changes multiple times.

Right now, the PGA leaderboard is set up for a Sunday that feels like a playoff before the playoff—multiple contenders, minimal separation, and a course that can reward boldness while punishing impatience.

Sources consulted: PGA TOUR, FOX Sports, PGA of America, ESPN