Sahith Theegala (-13) is the sole leader of the WM Phoenix Open once the second round of the tournament is finally completed. He has a one-stroke lead over Nick Taylor and Andrew Novak and three over Maverick McNealy. So far, everything is quite normal. No one can be surprised at this point by Theegala’s leadership, a player who grows every week that passes, who already won last year and who finished second in the Sentry in Hawaii, the first tournament of the year on the PGA Tour. What should be highlighted in red and even surprise is how he has hunted that leadership. It borders on heroism.
The Phoenix Open is one of those tournaments that will be remembered at the end of the course for the great difference that there was between both playing turns. In this sense, one must take off one’s hat to Theegala because he has played in the most difficult stretch and, even so, he has been better than anyone.
The numbers do not lie. Only two of the top ten, three of the 16 and only six of the 33 have played in the same turn as Theegala. The inequality is more than evident. The reason is that the worst conditions by far were experienced on Thursday morning, when the wind blew the most and all the water that forced the suspension of the day fell, just when the afternoon shift had to go out. Those on the other side of the leader found a field with little wind and, above all, generously receptive.
Given the scenario, Theegala’s two cards of 65 and 64 strokes are outrageous, as well as the sixth position of Jordan Spieth (-8) or the eleventh place of Matthew Fitzpatrick (-7). All of them have been able to take advantage of the last holes of the TPC Scottsdale (the most favourable) to subtract many strokes. Theegala has signed four under in the last six holes, Spieth has made 30 strokes for the second nine, including a sensational eagle on the 17th and Fitzpatrick has finished with five birdies in the last six holes.
The last two rounds promise to be high-flying in Scottsdale. Within just five strokes are the aforementioned Theegala, Scheffler, who is looking for his third consecutive victory, Spieth, Young, Thomas and Ryan Fox. Heavy artillery with players who are almost in need of a victory, mainly Thomas and Young.
The third round will start this very Saturday, it will go as far as possible, it will be completed on Sunday and it is hoped to be able to complete the 72 holes in time for the fiery spectators of Phoenix to be able to return to their homes to watch the Super Bowl.
The cut has finally been set at two under par and among the players who have been left out are Camilo Villegas, Luke Donald, Robert MacIntyre, Max Homa or Rickie Fowler.
