The 2026 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is living up to its reputation as one of the most unpredictable and entertaining tournaments on the PGA Tour. With three rounds in the books and only Sunday left to play, Hideki Matsuyama has once again found himself in the spotlight, sitting alone atop a leaderboard packed with contenders. The 33-year-old from Japan, already a two-time winner at this event, carded a 3-under 68 on Saturday, February 7, pushing his total to 13 under par and giving him a slender one-shot advantage heading into the final round.
The leaderboard is as congested as ever, with four players—Maverick McNealy, Nicolai Hojgaard, Si Woo Kim, and 36-hole leader Ryo Hisatsune—all tied for second at 12 under. Not far behind, nine players are within just two shots of Matsuyama, keeping the competition wide open and the pressure at a fever pitch.
Matsuyama’s round on Saturday was anything but straightforward. He didn’t even make a par until the sixth hole, opening with three birdies and two bogeys—a rollercoaster start that could have rattled a lesser player. But Matsuyama steadied himself, playing the remaining holes two under, including nine pars and two more birdies. "I just tried to stay patient out there," Matsuyama said after the round, echoing the calm that’s made him a fan favorite in Scottsdale. "With so many players close, you can’t get ahead of yourself."
The chasers are a mix of familiar faces and rising stars. Ryo Hisatsune, who led after two rounds, dropped a shot on the final hole Saturday but remains right in the thick of it at 12 under. Maverick McNealy, one of the Tour’s most consistent performers last season, surged up the board with three birdies in four holes from Nos. 11 to 14. He’s seeking just his second PGA Tour victory, his lone win coming at the 2024 RSM Classic. Nicolai Hojgaard and Si Woo Kim, both known for their aggressive play, matched Hisatsune’s total, setting up what promises to be a dramatic Sunday shootout.
Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, had his own wild ride. He was right in the mix after back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15, only to double-bogey the raucous 16th before rebounding with a birdie at 17. Fitzpatrick finished the day at 11 under—just two shots off the lead—after a closing bogey on 18, a testament to the relentless challenge posed by TPC Scottsdale’s back nine.
Meanwhile, Viktor Hovland, who returned to the Phoenix Open after a two-year absence, put together his best round of the week. The 28-year-old Norwegian fired a 6-under round through 14 holes on Saturday, ultimately reaching 9 under overall. Hovland seemed to relish the lively atmosphere, telling reporters, "Compared to a couple years, I feel like it’s a lot more tame this year. I don’t really think it’s too crazy at all. 16 is just fun. I think to get booed every now and again or cheered for if you make a putt is completely fine. It’s fun. It’s reasonable."
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, never one to be counted out, quietly worked his way up the board. After a shaky start to the tournament—he nearly missed the weekend after a 2-over 73 on Thursday—Scheffler bounced back with a sparkling 65 in round two and kept the momentum on Saturday, carding a 67 to finish at 8 under, five shots off Matsuyama’s lead. Scheffler’s ability to mount a charge from behind is well documented; when he won his first Phoenix Open in 2022, he trailed by nine shots after 36 holes. "You’ve just got to keep grinding," Scheffler remarked earlier in the week. "Anything can happen at this place."
The WM Phoenix Open is famed not just for its golf, but for its party-like atmosphere, especially at the iconic 16th hole, where fans serenaded each other with "Sweet Caroline" during the downtime between groups. This year, the crowd’s enthusiasm has remained high, but, as Hovland noted, things have been "a lot more tame"—though still uniquely Scottsdale. Fans turned out in droves, many in wild costumes, soaking up the near-perfect weather and the festival-like vibe that makes this event a must-see on the PGA calendar.
With a total purse of $9.6 million and a winner’s share of $1.728 million, the stakes are sky-high. First-time winners have a special history at the Phoenix Open—14 golfers have claimed their maiden PGA Tour victory here, and Ryo Hisatsune is looking to become the 15th. But with Matsuyama’s experience and poise, and so many proven players in the hunt, it’s anyone’s guess who will hoist the trophy come Sunday evening.
The third round began later than usual, with tee times announced after the conclusion of a suspended second round, and groups going off both the first and tenth tees. The action was relentless, with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the day. As the sun set over TPC Scottsdale, Matsuyama’s steady hand had earned him the solo lead, but the margin for error remains razor-thin.
Television coverage for Sunday’s final round promises to capture every twist and turn, with Golf Channel, CBS, and ESPN+ all broadcasting the action. For those lucky enough to be on the grounds, the energy is sure to be electric as the field chases one of the most coveted titles—and one of the loudest crowds—in golf.
So, as the 2026 WM Phoenix Open heads into its final chapter, the stage is set for a dramatic finish. Will Matsuyama claim his third title in the desert, or will one of the hungry challengers break through? With nine players within two shots and the world’s top-ranked golfer lurking, it’s anyone’s guess. One thing’s for sure: Sunday at TPC Scottsdale is not to be missed.