The 2026 WM Phoenix Open is shaping up to be a classic, with Hideki Matsuyama leading the charge after a dramatic third round at TPC Scottsdale. As the sun set over Arizona on February 7, Matsuyama, a two-time winner of this fan-favorite event, found himself alone atop a jam-packed leaderboard, holding a one-stroke advantage at 13 under par after a steady 3-under 68. But with nine players within two shots and a raucous crowd fueling the action, Sunday’s final round promises fireworks.
Matsuyama’s Saturday started with a bang—three birdies in his first five holes, offset by two bogeys, before he steadied his game with a string of pars and clutch birdies on the back nine. “He’s been here before, and you can feel the confidence in his approach,” remarked a Golf Channel analyst during the broadcast. The 33-year-old Japanese star is now eyeing his 12th career PGA Tour victory and a third Phoenix Open title, a feat that would further cement his legacy at this event.
Hot on Matsuyama’s heels is a quartet tied for second at 12 under: Maverick McNealy, Nicolai Hojgaard, Si Woo Kim, and Ryo Hisatsune. McNealy, who notched three birdies in a four-hole stretch from 11 to 14, has been one of the most consistent players on Tour and is eager to add to his lone PGA Tour win from the 2024 RSM Classic. Hojgaard and Kim have shown flashes of brilliance all week, while Hisatsune, the 36-hole leader, faltered slightly with a bogey at the last but remains firmly in the hunt.
“It’s anyone’s ballgame,” Matsuyama admitted in his post-round interview, recognizing the tight race and the lurking threats behind him. The leaderboard is so congested that four more players, including 2022 U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick, are just one shot back at 11 under. Fitzpatrick’s round was a rollercoaster—he surged with back-to-back birdies on 14 and 15, stumbled with a double-bogey at the iconic 16th, but bounced back with a birdie at 17 before closing with a bogey on 18. The Englishman’s resilience has kept him in striking distance.
The Phoenix Open is notorious for its electric atmosphere, especially at the stadium-style par-3 16th hole, where fans create a party-like vibe unique in golf. Viktor Hovland, who carded his best round of the week with a 6-under 65 to move to 9 under overall, commented on the scene: “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.” Hovland, returning to the event after a two-year hiatus, has clearly embraced the spirit of the tournament.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, remains within shouting distance. After a shaky start to the week, including a 2-over 73 on Thursday that nearly saw him miss the cut, Scheffler rebounded with a 65 in the second round and posted a 4-under 67 on Saturday. He sits at 8 under, five shots off the lead, but with his pedigree—having staged a comeback from nine shots back to win here in 2022—he can’t be counted out. “He’s lurking, and everyone ahead of him knows it,” noted CBS’s on-course reporter.
The field for this year’s Phoenix Open is stacked, with big names like Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth, and Brooks Koepka all teeing it up. However, not all stars made it to the weekend: both Koepka and Spieth missed the cut, a reminder of the tournament’s unpredictability and the challenge posed by TPC Scottsdale’s risk-reward layout.
Fans tuning in have a plethora of options to catch the action. ESPN+ is streaming coverage of featured groups and holes all four days, while the Golf Channel picks up the main broadcast windows on Thursday, Friday, and early on the weekend. CBS takes over for the final hours of play on Saturday and Sunday, ensuring that viewers don’t miss a minute of the drama. For those on the go, SiriusXM is broadcasting live radio coverage, bringing the excitement of the tournament to listeners nationwide.
The Phoenix Open is not just about golf—it’s a spectacle. The 16th hole, with its amphitheater seating and rowdy fans, has seen everything from beer showers to viral celebrations. This year, the crowd kept things lively but under control, with sing-alongs and creative costumes adding to the festive mood. As Viktor Hovland observed, “There is not beer all over the green. No one has made a hole-in-one yet, so not going to jinx that. I think it’s been fine. It’s nice to have. Every tournament is a little bit different. This is definitely a unique tournament and that’s not overboard, so I like it.”
The stakes are high, with a total purse of $9.6 million and a winner’s share of $1.728 million up for grabs. For some, like Ryo Hisatsune, a win would mark a career milestone—he’s vying to become the 15th player to notch his first PGA Tour victory at this event. For others, such as Matsuyama and Scheffler, it’s about adding to an already impressive resume and delighting the thousands of fans who pack the grounds each year.
Saturday’s play was not without its quirks and challenges. The lead changed hands multiple times, with Matsuyama, Hisatsune, and Kim all sharing the top spot at various points. The course played firm and fast, demanding precision off the tee and creativity around the greens. Matt Fitzpatrick’s misadventure at 16 in front of the raucous crowd was a testament to the pressure players face at this unique stop on the PGA Tour.
As the final round approaches, all eyes will be on Matsuyama and the chasing pack. Will he hold off the challengers and secure his third Phoenix Open crown? Or will a new name etch their place in tournament history? With nine players within two shots and the world’s best in pursuit, the 2026 WM Phoenix Open is far from decided. Buckle up—Sunday at TPC Scottsdale is set to deliver more drama, more excitement, and, perhaps, a few surprises along the way.
Stay tuned for live updates, as the battle for the People’s Open trophy is wide open and the Valley of the Sun buzzes with anticipation.