Thomas Detry earns first PGA Tour win at Phoenix Open after 68 events

Phoenix – It was going so well for Belgium’s Thomas Detry that there was no reason to back off as he was winding down the Phoenix Open.

Detry was strong all the way to the finish, shooting a six-under 65 to collect his first PGA Tour victory on Feb 9 at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Arizona.

“It’s what dreams are made of,” said the 32-year-old.

Detry kept improving on his way to a 24-under 260 total and a seven-shot victory, becoming the first Belgian to win a PGA Tour event.

He put on a dazzling final-round show, playing the last eight holes in a combined five under with four consecutive birdies to complete the tournament. He dropped his last putt from almost 10 feet away.

“This is where I want to be and it’s pretty incredible to play golf the way I’ve been,” Detry said.

A former University of Illinois golfer, Detry stayed in control throughout most of Feb 9. Then he stuck his tee shot about a foot from the cup to birdie the famed par-three No. 16 Stadium Hole, building his advantage to five strokes.

“Considering the circumstances, one of the best shots of the week and of my life, definitely,” he said.

Detry was in his 68th PGA Tour event, with two previous runner-up finishes.

“I’ve given myself plenty of chances in the past and never been able to put a statement out like that,” he said.

Americans Michael Kim and Daniel Berger, who both shot 67s, were runners-up at 17 under.

“It was a fun last two days,” said Kim, who had only one bogey during the tournament.

But there was just no catching Detry.

“I drove it well all week and I tried to just do my best to put pressure on him, but every time I felt like I made a birdie, he made one back,” Berger said.

“He was playing really great golf today, and he was deserving to win this.”

Jordan Spieth (68), who began the round tied for second, could not keep up and finished at 16 under, tied for fourth with South Africa’s Christiaan Bezuidenhout (66).

Meanwhile, Yealimi Noh captured her first LPGA title on Feb 9, out-duelling South Korean Ko Jin-young down the final holes to win the Founders Cup by four strokes.

Noh, a 23-year-old American, fired a three-under 68 to finish on 21-under 263 after 72 holes at Florida’s Bradenton Country Club.

“This means so much to me,” she said. “I’ve worked really hard the past few years and I went through a lot of struggles.

“I really told myself that 2025 is going to be my year, so this is the best way to start it.”

Three-time Founders Cup winner Ko, a two-time Major champion, stumbled with three bogeys in the last six holes to shoot a 71 and settle for second on 267, with American Megan Khang third on 268 after a 68. REUTERS, AFP