Scheffler Faces Potential First Cut Miss Since 2022
In a thrilling opening round at the Phoenix Open, Matt Fitzpatrick showcased impressive golf, making seven birdies within the first eight holes. He started strong with a remarkable 29 on the front nine at TPC Scottsdale. However, late in his round, he lost momentum with two bogeys, finishing the day at six under par, just two strokes off the lead. Chris Gotterup seized the top position with a stellar performance, scoring a faultless 63, which included six birdies and an eagle.
Fitzpatrick’s Reaction and Performance
Fitzpatrick expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting, “If someone said, here is six under to start the day and I can stay in bed, I would have snatched your hand off.” He felt he performed better on the back nine, despite the score not reflecting it. He indicated he had several mid-range putts for birdies that simply didn’t fall.
Scheffler’s Struggles
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler faces significant pressure to avoid missing his first cut since the 2022 FedEx St Jude Championship. He ended the round with a two-over score, struggling to regain composure after dropping shots on three occasions. Scheffler displayed frustration multiple times, particularly at the par-four 18th and the eighth hole, where errors in chipping set him back.
European Contenders
The leaderboard featured strong European representation, with several players performing well. Highlights include:
- Nicolai Hojgaard – five under par
- Rasmus Hojgaard – three under par
- Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen – four under par
- John Parry – three under par as daylight faded
- Hideki Matsuyama – four under par, among a group of 14 players
As the tournament progresses, golfers like Scheffler will need to find their rhythm quickly to remain in contention. Meanwhile, Fitzpatrick hopes to capitalize on his strong start and build momentum moving forward.
