Rundown from Friday's second round at the WM Phoenix Open
The WM Phoenix Open continued on Friday, with a leaderboard that features little-known names alongside the sport’s biggest stars.
Here’s a rundown of the second round at TPC Scottsdale:
Rounds of the Day
Once again, sponsor’s exemption Sahith Theegala was the star on Friday. He shot 7-under to move into a two-shot lead atop the leaderboard. Talor Gooch, Sam Ryder and Lucas Glover also shot 7-under, which was tied for the low round. Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka finished their rounds at 6- and 5-under, respectively, to move into a tie for second.
Shot of the Day
Glover started his round emphatically, holing out from 113 yards for eagle. He opened the tournament at 6-over through 10 holes Thursday but has shot 10-under since to make the cut with ease at 4-under.
Quote of the Day
Theegala, the Phoenix Open leader and world No. 318, on his living situation: “Still living with my parents in LA. I was thinking about moving out, but I graduated during COVID and it just didn't really make sense for me.”
What Happened To
Bubba Watson: The two-time Masters champ continued his strong week Friday, shooting a 2-under 69 to move into a tie for 13th at 6-under.
Jon Rahm: Rahm only managed three birdies on the day as he shot a 1-under 70. At 5-under and in 23rd place, he’s on the fringe of contention.
Jordan Spieth: Spieth came into this week with aspirations of winning the tournament after finishing second at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Instead, he’s largely been mediocre, although he did make the cut with a 2-under day to move to 3-under on the week.
Rickie Fowler: Fowler stuggled with consistency over the past two days. He had eight birdies and an eagle but also recorded seven bogeys and a double-bogey to finish Friday at 1-under and miss the cut by a stroke.
Former champs struggle
Only two of the last 10 Phoenix Open champions made this year’s cut:
Brooks Koepka (2021, 2015): 10-under, T-2
Webb Simpson (2020): WD
Rickie Fowler (2019): MC
Gary Woodland (2018): MC
Hideki Matsuyama (2017, 2016): 6-under, T-13
Kevin Stadler (2014): not in field
Phil Mickelson (2013): not in field
Kyle Stanley (2012): MC
Notables who missed the cut
Rickie Fowler (1 under)
Tony Finau (E)
Pat Perez (1 over)
Charles Howell III (2 over)
Viktor Hovland (2 over)
Harold Varner III (2 over)
Preston Summerhays (a) (6 over)
Local Knowledge
ASU freshman and fan favorite Preston Summerhays struggled to a 2-over 73, finishing 6-over on the tournament and missing cut. Rahm, an ASU grad, and Rory Sabbatini, a UA grad, are the highest players on the leaderboard with Arizona ties at 5-under.
What to Watch
Theegala, Koepka and Schauffele tee off in the last group at 11:45 a.m. Saturday. Rahm and Justin Thomas will draw big crowds in the 10:28 trio, which is rounded out by Carlos Ortiz, who is at 6-under. Rahm and Thomas are both at 5-under and will need a big moving day.
Theo Mackie covers Arizona high school sports and Phoenix Rising FC. He can be reached by email at theo.mackie@gannett.com and on Twitter @theo_mackie.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Rundown from Friday's second round at the WM Phoenix Open
