Thomas Detry posted a second-round 7-under 64 to reach 12-under and take a two-shot lead at the WM Phoenix Open, setting a new career-low 36-hole total of 130.
The Belgian hit 18 of 18 Greens in Regulation for the first time in his 241st career round on Tour. He has hit 35 of 36 Greens in Regulation through two rounds, tied for the most through 36 holes at the WM Phoenix Open (Matthew NeSmith/2024).
“I’ve been very comfortable on the greens this week. Did some good work with my coach, and the greens are rolling just as good as it gets. They’re much quicker than last week, obviously, at Pebble. They had to slow them down at Pebble because of the wind,” said Detry.
“I’ve been hitting a lot of fairways, as well. The greens are getting firm. I think they’re going to get firmer and firmer over the weekend, as well. The fairways are kind of the key. I’ve got this low-tee drive which has been working pretty well the last couple of weeks. Good fairway finder.
“It’s kind of a shot that I’ve had in the bag for a long time, but I seem to use it more and more. Instead of kind of let it get ripped, just kind of hitting that low tee, and it actually goes further than when I try to hit it hard. It kind of rolls forever.”
Detry holds the 36-hole lead/co-lead on the PGA Tour for the third time and his first solo 36-hole lead but has yet to convert one to victory.
American Michael Kim signed for a bogey-free 63, the only player in the field still bogey-free at the halfway mark, to take a share of second place at 10-under.
Tied alongside Kim in his best position through 36 holes on Tour since the 2022 RBC Canadian Open is compatriot Alex Smalley whose 65 featured an eagle at the par-5 13th as well as a bogey.
Making his second start on Tour since undergoing wrist surgery in August, American Jordan Spieth carded two eagles at the par-5s 13th and 15th and signed for a bogey-free 65 for a share of fourth place at 9-under.
South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout made an eagle at the par-4 17th to close with a bogey-free 66 for his share of fourth place.
Coming off a T7 at last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, American Tom Kim also lies in fourth place after recording a 66.
World number 1 Scottie Scheffler of the United States lies in T12 at 7-under after carding a bogey-free 66.
Play was suspended due to darkness at 6:10 p.m. with eight players yet to complete their round. The second round will resume on Saturday at 7:45 a.m. Third-round tee times are scheduled for approximately 9-11 a.m. off Nos. 1 and 10 in threesomes.
