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WM Phoenix Open Progresses Through Third Round; Hideki Matsuyama Leads

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WM Phoenix Open: Matsuyama Leads Heading into Final Round

The third round of the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale has concluded, setting the stage for an exciting final day. Hideki Matsuyama holds the lead heading into the final round, with Australian golfer Min Woo Lee four shots behind. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is also in contention. The tournament has been marked by a near historic par-four hole-in-one and ongoing discussions regarding spectator conduct.

Hideki Matsuyama leads the WM Phoenix Open following the third round, with Min Woo Lee four shots back and Scottie Scheffler a shot further behind, as 18 players remain within five strokes of the lead.

Tournament Standings

Following the third round, Hideki Matsuyama is in the lead. Australian golfer Min Woo Lee is positioned at nine-under par, four shots behind Matsuyama. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is one shot further back at eight-under par. A total of 18 players are within five strokes of the lead heading into the final round, promising a competitive finish.

Earlier in the tournament, after the second round, Ryo Hisatsune held the lead at 11-under par, with Hideki Matsuyama at 10-under par. Australian golfer Cam Davis finished the third round at two-under par overall. Brooks Koepka missed the cut.

Key Player Performances

Min Woo Lee

  • In the third round, Lee carded an impressive three-under par 68.
  • His round featured a birdie-birdie-eagle run from holes 13 to 15, showcasing his dynamic play.
  • Despite this strong stretch, Lee also recorded three bogeys and faced putting challenges on closing holes, including missing a birdie putt on the par-3 16th and three-putting for par on the par-4 17th.

Hideki Matsuyama

  • A two-time Phoenix Open champion, Matsuyama demonstrated his prowess with six consecutive birdies on his back nine during an earlier round.

Scottie Scheffler

  • After an over-par first round, Scheffler rebounded with a 65 in the second round, finishing that round at four-under par. He is currently at eight-under par after the third round, firmly in contention.

Other Notable Rounds

  • Nicolai Hojgaard, Maverick McNealy, Michael Thorbjornsen, and Viktor Hovland all posted a round of 65 during the third round, making significant moves up the leaderboard.

Cam Davis's Near Par-4 Hole-in-One

During the second round, Australian golfer Cam Davis nearly achieved a rare feat: a par-four hole-in-one on the 17th hole. His tee shot landed on the green and rolled narrowly past the hole, resulting in an eagle after a short putt.

Had the ball entered the hole, it would have been the first par-four hole-in-one on the PGA Tour in 25 years. The only recorded instance of this incredible feat on the tour was by Andrew Magee in 2001, also on the 17th hole at the WM Phoenix Open.

Spectator Behavior

Viktor Hovland commented on the crowd behavior at TPC Scottsdale, stating that the atmosphere during the current tournament felt "a lot more tame" compared to previous years, despite some isolated incidents.

Incidents reported include:

  • A streamer received a lifetime ban from PGA Tour events for paying a spectator to disrupt a player's backswing.
  • A fan was observed requesting a cigarette from a golfer.