Matt Fitzpatrick arrived at the 2026 Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale with momentum from recent victories abroad, igniting a strong start to his campaign. His precise play and confident performance have positioned him as a top contender during one of the PGA Tour’s most fan-favorite events.
Strong Birdie Beginning Boosts Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick began his round with a remarkable display of accuracy, hitting a 215-yard approach on the par-5 third hole that set up an early birdie. He continued this momentum by tallying seven birdies in his first nine holes, including an impressive stretch of five consecutive birdies. This display of sharp iron play is crucial at TPC Scottsdale, where large and tiered greens require exact shots to create scoring chances and minimize errors. Fitzpatrick closed his opening round at 6-under par, placing him second on the leaderboard just behind Chris Gotterup, who leads at 8-under.
Entering his fifth appearance at the Phoenix Open, Fitzpatrick brings experience and ambition to the tournament, aiming to build on his best previous performance, a top-10 finish in 2022.
Contending Alongside Griffin and Clark
Fitzpatrick shared the tee with Ben Griffin and Wyndham Clark, starting their rounds together from the 10th tee at 10:04 a.m. ET. The group combined a mix of recent success and notable experience, with Griffin coming off a breakout 2025 season with several wins, Clark looking to improve after mixed results early this year, and Fitzpatrick aiming to maintain his sharp iron play in desert conditions.
Ben Griffin’s Solid Opening Round
Griffin has attracted attention as a player to watch at Scottsdale. In his first round, he demonstrated comfort with the course’s firm greens and generous fairways, finishing with an even-par 71. Griffin is currently listed at +3000 odds to win, ranking just behind Si Woo Kim at +2500 and slightly ahead of Brooks Koepka, who is at +4500.
Wyndham Clark’s Search for Consistency
As the 2023 U.S. Open champion, Clark entered the Phoenix Open eager to sharpen his scoring. Early in his opening round, he showcased powerful drives and steady iron shots. His highlight came with a 37-foot birdie putt on the par-3 12th hole, injecting energy into his performance. Clark’s odds to win stand at +7000, marking him as a longer-shot contender despite flashes of brilliance. With two rounds still to come, the competition remains open for all players heading into Friday.
The early performances by Fitzpatrick, Griffin, and Clark are shaping the tournament into an exciting contest that fans at TPC Scottsdale will be following closely. Fitzpatrick’s ability to combine composure with aggressive scoring on the course’s challenging greens could prove pivotal as the event progresses, setting the stage for a dramatic week ahead.
Matt Fitzpatrick makes his 4th birdie in a row on 16 to get to -6 and extend his lead to 2. pic.twitter.com/vvrSejfQk0
— Skratch (@Skratch) February 5, 2026
