Thomas Detry wins Phoenix Open to become first Belgian champion on PGA Tour
Thomas Detry secured his first PGA Tour victory on Sunday, winning the 9.2 million USD Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. The 32-year-old from Brussels is the first Belgian to claim a title on the prestigious tour.
Detry set the tone early in the tournament, surging to the top of the leaderboard with an opening round of 66 strokes. He followed up with an impressive 64 in the second round to take the lead, which he never relinquished.
A third-round 65 and a final-round 65 brought his total to 260 strokes, sealing a long-awaited triumph after eight second-place finishes at the highest level since 2016.
"This is just a fantastic feeling," Detry said. "I've been close many times, and it was always small things that went wrong. But during this tournament, everything seemed to fall into place. My wife and children travelled with me, and that gives an extra feeling."
He also acknowledged the significance of the win for his career. "My caddy Daniel came to me at the end of the match and said that I should enjoy such moments. A lot will change now. For example, I have secured my tour card for the next two years. I can now also participate in the majors and all the big tournaments."
Following his victory, Detry made a notable leap in the world rankings, firmly securing a spot in the top 50. This guarantees him entry into all four major tournaments and secures his PGA Tour playing rights until 2027. Additionally, his strong performance in Phoenix has propelled him to second place in the FedExCup standings, the annual points race on the PGA Tour.
Thomas Detry after winning the Phoenix Open, 9 February 2025, in Scottsdale, Arizona © PHOTO KYODO/MAXPPP
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