Ryo Hisatsune surged into the lead at the Phoenix Open, electrifying fans with an extraordinary chip-in birdie after hitting his tee shot into the water on the par-4 17th hole. Hisatsune carded a bogey-free 8-under 63 in the second round, reaching 11-under 131 and overtaking two-time champion Hideki Matsuyama, who previously held the lead at 10-under.
Hisatsune’s remarkable recovery was a highlight in a vibrant day at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. “It was very lucky,” he said through an interpreter. His aggressive play and composure carried him through a five-hole stretch where he went 6 under, including an eagle putt on the par-5 15th and consecutive birdies on challenging holes.
Scottie Scheffler, the world No. 1, made the cut with a solid 2-under 65 after a shaky opening round 73 that nearly jeopardized his streak of cuts made. Scheffler’s consistent performance on the back nine, featuring four birdies and no bogeys, extended his PGA Tour record to 66 consecutive cuts. He finished the round at 4 under, seven shots behind the leader.
Scheffler showed resilience despite early struggles. “Felt a bit lost out there at times yesterday, so today felt a lot better, felt more in control of my game,” he remarked. The seven-shot gap to the leader does not seem insurmountable given Scheffler’s proven ability to mount remarkable comebacks, including his nine-shot comeback win at the 2022 Phoenix Open.
Brooks Koepka faced tougher conditions, shooting 2 over and missing the cut after rounds of 75 and 69. His performance marked a setback in his second tournament since reinstatement to the PGA Tour.
Two Japanese players made significant impacts, with Matsuyama producing a bogey-free 64 that included a streak of six straight birdies, temporarily taking the lead in the morning session. He later shot 68 in the afternoon. Hisatsune, building on his momentum from last week’s tied second place at Torrey Pines, will be paired with Matsuyama for the third round, a pairing that promises exciting competition.
Matsuyama praised the course and the crowd, stating, “You have to play well here, strike the ball well to play well and the crowd gets me geared up for that.” His birdie streak on the back nine, combined with his steady approach shots, kept him firmly in contention.
Key Scores and Highlights:
1. Ryo Hisatsune: 8-under 63 in round two, total 11-under 131
2. Hideki Matsuyama: 6-under 64 in round one, followed by 68 in round two, total 10-under
3. Scottie Scheffler: 2-under 65 after opening 73, total 4-under, 7 shots behind
4. Brooks Koepka: Missed cut with rounds of 75 and 69
The third round will feature intense competition, especially with Hisatsune and Matsuyama paired together. Scheffler’s potential charge from seven shots back adds further intrigue as the event progresses. The Phoenix Open continues to deliver surprising moments and impressive performances from established stars and emerging talent alike.