The golf world was stunned this weekend as Brooks Koepka, a five-time major champion, failed to make the cut at the WM Phoenix Open, marking a disappointing return to the PGA Tour after his stint with LIV Golf. But here's where it gets intriguing: while Koepka's early exit dominated headlines, the leaderboard is buzzing with drama as Ryo Hisatsune surged ahead, edging out fellow Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama by a single stroke. And this is the part most people miss: world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, despite starting slow, roared back with a flawless 65 to stay in contention for his 20th PGA Tour title.
Scheffler, currently at four under, is no stranger to comebacks—he famously won this event four years ago after trailing by nine shots. His resilience keeps him in the hunt, but can he replicate that magic? Meanwhile, England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick and John Parry are lurking just four strokes off the lead, with Fitzpatrick aiming to bounce back after a mixed round of 71. Controversially, some are questioning whether Koepka’s LIV Golf detour has dulled his edge—what do you think?
Hisatsune’s rise is nothing short of spectacular. He fired an eight-under 63, highlighted by a stunning back nine that included four birdies and an eagle, even after driving into the water on his penultimate hole. Matsuyama, not to be outdone, briefly led after six consecutive birdies on his front nine, but Hisatsune’s late charge stole the show. Is Hisatsune the breakout star of 2026, or is this just a fleeting moment of brilliance?
Pierceson Coody and first-round leader Chris Gotterup sit joint-third at eight under, while South Korea’s Si Woo Kim delivered the round of the day with a nine-under 62, climbing up the leaderboard after a shaky start. John Parry, fresh off earning his PGA Tour card via the DP World Tour, carded a rollercoaster 66 with eight birdies and three bogeys. Are these rising stars reshaping the PGA Tour’s future, or will the veterans reclaim their dominance?
For viewers, the action heats up on Saturday with round three airing live on Sky Sports Golf from 5pm, switching to Sky Sports Main Event at 8.30pm. Can’t commit to a contract? Stream it hassle-free on NOW. And if you’re inspired to hit the links yourself, check out the best prices for a round at over 1,700 courses across the UK & Ireland.
What’s your take? Is Koepka’s early exit a sign of things to come, or just a bump in the road? And who’s your pick to win the WM Phoenix Open? Let us know in the comments—we’re eager to hear your thoughts!
