Thomas Detry made a single bogey on Saturday and signed for a 6-under 65 to take a five-shot lead into the final day at the WM Phoenix Open.
“Getting off to such a good start was kind of the dream today. I felt a bit nervous on the 1st and I hit that 9-iron to two, three feet on the 1st hole. Hit many fairways, as well. I don’t think I missed a shot in the first five, six holes,” said Detry.
“That felt pretty comforting, to be honest, and suddenly I was on a roll. I was trusting my game and trusting my ball flight and kind of seeing the shots, and I’ve been putting well to be honest, as well, which helps. But definitely pretty happy with the way I handled the whole day.
“I noticed today that the greens were a little bit softer, a fraction softer, so I felt like all of those pin positions were tougher. It wasn’t as bouncy as what we’ve had the last couple of days. I actually was surprised a few times really thinking oh, this is going to bounce over the green or bounce right at the flag and I ended up like 15 feet short of where I thought my ball was going to end up being.
“But yeah, there’s birdies out there, especially like I did today, like I did the last couple of days. If you manage the front nine pretty well, there’s plenty of opportunities on the back nine. They’re all birdieable, 13, 15, 16, 17 and 18 again with a good drive. Definitely some good chances out there. ”
Detry set a new career-low 54-hole score with an 18-under 195, he had previously shot 197 at the 2025 Sentry where he finished T5. This is his second career 54-hole lead/co-lead and his first solo 54-hole lead. He finished T2 the first time he held it at the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open.
With a win on Sunday Detry would become the first Belgian winner on the PGA Tour. He has finished runner-up twice, 2022 Butterfield Bermuda Championship and the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open.
Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard fired an eagle at the par-5 13th and a double bogey at the par-5 15th and closed with a 65 for a share of second place. At 13-under 200 he posted his career-best 54-hole score (previously: 201/2024 Genesis Scottish Open/finished T21).
American Daniel Berger made an eagle at the par-5 15th and a single bogey to close with a 66 for his share of second place alongside compatriots Jordan Spieth (bogey-free, 67) and Michael Kim (bogey-free, 68).
Playing in his second start on Tour since undergoing wrist surgery in August, Spieth has now played his last 45 holes without a bogey.
Kim is the only player in the field still bogey-free through 54 holes.
Aon Swing 5
This marks the final opportunity for players to earn FedExCup points towards the Aon Swing 5 for entry into next week’s Genesis Invitational; the top five players not otherwise exempt who earn the most FedExCup points during the Sony Open in Hawaii, The American Express, the Farmers Insurance Open and the WM Phoenix Open will qualify for The Genesis Invitational.
Jordan Spieth is currently in The Genesis Invitational field via a sponsor exemption; should he qualify through the Aon Swing 5, that sponsor exemption will go to another player.
