Imagine turning a disastrous water hazard into a triumphant birdie—that's exactly what Ryo Hisatsune did to ignite the already-electric atmosphere at the Phoenix Open. But here's where it gets controversial: while Hisatsune stole the spotlight, Scottie Scheffler quietly navigated his way through the cut, sparking debates about whether the world's No. 1 player is truly living up to his ranking this week. And this is the part most people miss: Hisatsune's remarkable recovery wasn't just luck—it was a masterclass in resilience and skill that left fans in awe.
On a scorching Friday at TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course, Hisatsune didn't just lead—he dominated. After driving his ball into the water on the par-4 17th hole, he chipped in for a birdie, capping off a bogey-free 8-under 63 that catapulted him into the lead. 'It was very lucky,' Hisatsune humbly admitted through an interpreter, adding with a smile, 'A nice tee shot, but I kind of pulled it a little bit into the water. Some more reset and make it, (so) going to be more fun.'
Meanwhile, Scheffler's journey was far from smooth. After a shaky opening round of 73 that threatened to end his impressive cut streak, he regrouped with a focus on his grip. The result? A 2-under 33 on the front nine, followed by four birdies on the back, securing his 66th consecutive cut—the longest active streak on the PGA Tour. His 3-foot birdie on No. 18 sealed a bogey-free 65, leaving him 4 under, seven shots behind Hisatsune. But don't count him out—Scheffler has a history of comebacks, including his 2022 Phoenix Open win where he erased a nine-shot deficit.
Here’s the controversial question: Is Scheffler's consistency a sign of greatness, or does his struggle to pull away from the pack this week hint at vulnerabilities? Let us know in the comments.
Adding to the drama, two-time Phoenix Open champion Brooks Koepka missed the cut, finishing at 2 over in his second tournament since his PGA Tour reinstatement. But it was the Japanese players who truly stole the show. Hideki Matsuyama, another two-time Phoenix Open champion, fired six straight birdies for a 64, briefly taking the lead at 10 under before Hisatsune's afternoon surge.
Hisatsune's performance was nothing short of electrifying. Starting at 5 under after two birdies on the front nine, he went 6 under in a five-hole stretch, highlighted by his chip-in at 17, to reach 11-under 131. His closing flourish included birdies on 13 and 14, an 8-foot eagle putt on the par-5 15th, and a 7-foot birdie on the stadium par-3 16th. When asked about his pairing with Matsuyama on Saturday, Hisatsune simply said, 'It's some dreams on my pairing.'
Matsuyama, meanwhile, opened with a bogey-free 68 and followed it with a sizzling back nine, carding a 6-under 30. His 29-foot birdie putt on 16 and a two-putt birdie on the reachable par-4 17th had the crowd roaring. 'It's a great golf course,' he said through an interpreter. 'You have to play well here, strike the ball well, and the crowd gets me geared up for that.'
Overnight leader Chris Gotterup shot a 71 to join Pierceson Coody at 8 under. But all eyes will be on Hisatsune and Matsuyama as they tee it up together on Saturday—unless Scheffler has something to say about it. What do you think? Can Hisatsune hold off the field, or will Scheffler mount another historic comeback? Share your thoughts below!
