KEY POINT
- Michael Thorbjornsen leads the 2026 WM Phoenix Open entering the final holes, with Matsuyama and three others within two shots.
- Scottie Scheffler’s closing sixty five capped one of the strongest final rounds and briefly reshaped the leaderboard.
- The crowded finish underscores how TPC Scottsdale continues to reward aggressive play under pressure.
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 9, 2026 — Michael Thorbjornsen surged into the lead late Sunday as the 2026 WM Phoenix Open entered its closing stretch at TPC Scottsdale, turning the final round into a tightly packed race that featured major champions, rising stars and sustained pressure across the leaderboard.
With several contenders still on the course, the tournament’s outcome remained unsettled as golf’s most raucous regular season event lived up to its reputation.
Thorbjornsen, a twenty four year old American, reached seventeen under par through fifteen holes after a six under round, edging past Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who stood one shot back while playing the fourteenth.
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top ranked player, completed his round at fifteen under, matching Chris Gotterup and Si Woo Kim in a tie for third as the final groups battled fading daylight and escalating noise.
The WM Phoenix Open, long marketed as “The People’s Open,” once again delivered high drama Sunday as Round four unfolded before sellout galleries. Played at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, the tournament drew global attention not only for its atmosphere but for a leaderboard blending established winners with players seeking a career defining breakthrough.
The Phoenix Open has historically produced volatile Sundays. The course’s risk-reward par fives and the enclosed sixteenth hole amplify momentum swings, making late charges common.
Matsuyama, a two time winner at this event, entered the day positioned to contend again, while Scheffler arrived needing a strong finish after barely making the cut.
According to PGA Tour records, no winner at TPC Scottsdale has gone wire to wire since 2016, reinforcing the course’s reputation for unpredictability. Thorbjornsen’s ascent followed that pattern, as he began the day several shots back before capitalizing on birdie opportunities across the back nine.
“The Stadium Course doesn’t let you protect a lead for long,” said Brandel Chamblee, golf analyst for Golf Channel. “You’re forced to keep attacking, and that’s exactly what Thorbjornsen has done today.”
Matsuyama’s steady approach contrasted with the aggressive tactics of his closest challengers. The Japanese star leaned on precision iron play rather than distance, a formula that previously delivered victories here in 2017 and 2023.
Steve Stricker, a former major champion and Ryder Cup captain, said the leaderboard reflected a generational mix. “You have veterans like Matsuyama and Scheffler who know how to close, and younger players who aren’t afraid of the moment. That tension is what makes this tournament compelling.”
Leaders Entering the Closing Holes
| Player | Country | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Thorbjornsen | United States | -17 | Thru 15 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | Japan | -16 | Thru 14 |
| Scottie Scheffler | United States | -15 | Final |
| Chris Gotterup | United States | -15 | Thru 17 |
| Si Woo Kim | South Korea | -15 | Thru |
The compressed scoring illustrates how one swing on the final three holes could alter the outcome.
Tournament director Matt Mooney described the atmosphere as a factor players must manage as carefully as their yardages. “The noise here is unlike anything else on the PGA Tour,” Mooney said. “You can feel momentum change hole by hole.”
Scheffler acknowledged that dynamic after his round. “I gave myself a chance today,” he said. “On this course, that’s all you can really do and see where it falls.”
Matsuyama, speaking earlier in the round, emphasized patience. “There are birdies out there, but mistakes come fast,” he said through an interpreter.
As the final groups approached the closing holes, tournament officials prepared for multiple playoff scenarios, a contingency that has been required twice in the past decade at this event.
Regardless of the outcome, the 2026 WM Phoenix Open reinforced its standing as a proving ground where emerging talent can measure itself against the sport’s elite.
With the leaderboard compressed and pressure mounting, the final moments at TPC Scottsdale highlighted why the WM Phoenix Open remains one of golf’s most compelling stops.
Whether the trophy goes to a seasoned champion or a first time winner, the tournament’s long term significance lies in its ability to showcase competitive depth and the evolving balance of power on the PGA Tour.
