The WM Phoenix Open reached its midway point with Ryo Hisatsune leading the field at 11-under par, narrowly ahead of Hideki Matsuyama, who held the second spot at 10-under. The tournament, held at TPC Scottsdale, saw Matsuyama, a Masters champion, among several recent titleholders vying for the weekend rounds as play progressed on Friday.
Scottie Scheffler, the current World No. 1, struggled initially with a two-over 73 on Thursday but staged a remarkable comeback with a six-under 65 on Friday to secure his place for the weekend. Other major champions like Collin Morikawa, Xander Schauffele, and Wyndham Clark also barely made the cut, sitting at one-under for their respective events as the day concluded.
Players Still on Course as Darkness Pauses Play
Friday’s play was interrupted by darkness, leaving a few golfers to complete their final holes on Saturday morning. Among those awaiting completion were Keita Nakajima (-3), Kensei Hirata (-1), and ST Lee (even par). Their positions around the one-under cutline mean they have a crucial opportunity to advance, unlike many notable players who have already been eliminated.
Among the most surprising absences from the weekend are Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth, both of whom failed to navigate the cut line after challenging rounds on Friday.
Close Calls and Missed Cuts from Prominent Competitors
Joel Dahmen, who had a solid start to 2026 with strong showings at The American Express and the Farmers Insurance Open, missed the cut by a single stroke. Despite a memorable chip-in on the par-3 16th on Thursday that energized the crowd, Dahmen’s consistent 71s on both rounds left him just short at even par.
Brooks Koepka’s comeback to the PGA Tour has faced setbacks, as his performance at WM Phoenix Open resulted in a missed cut. After a four-over 75 in the initial round followed by a two-under 69 on Friday, the five-time major winner fell three strokes short of making it through. His recent putter change did not translate into improved results on the greens.
Other Noteworthy Players Missing the Cut
Billy Horschel also experienced consecutive missed cuts, recording a four-over 75 on Thursday and a solid one-under 70 on Friday. Despite these struggles, he remains in the lineup for next week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
Jordan Spieth, a three-time major champion, was unable to maintain the momentum following a 24th-place finish at the Sony Open earlier this year. Spieth shot a one-under 70 in the opening round but faltered with a four-over 75 the following day, marked by a difficult back nine including two bogeys and a double bogey in his final seven holes.
Tony Finau, who has six PGA Tour victories, continues to face challenges, missing the cut with rounds of 73 and 72. After a T11th finish at the Farmers Insurance Open, his performance this week adds to three missed cuts in four starts, raising questions about his current form.
Rookies and Others Struggling in the Desert
Marco Penge’s early rookie season on the PGA Tour has been difficult. The English golfer missed his second straight cut, finishing four-over par and struggling amid a recent club change and recovery from illness. Fellow Englishman Harry Hall shared a similar fate at Phoenix, also finishing four-over par.
Sam Burns had a particularly rough week, posting 72 and 75 rounds to miss the cut comfortably. The two-time Ryder Cup player, who finished T27th at The American Express, showed inconsistent play with three birdies, nine pars, five bogeys, and a double bogey on Friday.
Brian Harman, another Ryder Cup veteran and former major winner, mirrored Burns’ results with rounds of 74 and 73, also finishing five-over par and missing the weekend alongside his teammate.
Significance of the Cut and Implications Moving Forward
The WM Phoenix Open’s cut line has once again proven unforgiving, sidelining several marquee names such as Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka. Their absence underscores the unpredictable nature of the PGA Tour, where even top players can face setbacks early in the season. This creates opportunities for rising stars like Hisatsune, who is pursuing his first PGA Tour victory, as well as established champions like Matsuyama and Scheffler to capitalize on the weekend rounds.
For those who missed the cut, the disappointment will likely necessitate adjustments as the tour moves toward the upcoming high-profile events, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where many are aiming to regain momentum. Meanwhile, players still on course face a critical test as they complete their rounds under Saturday morning conditions.
