Big Names Struggle Early at WM Phoenix Open: Scheffler, Koepka, Schauffele Among Those Chasing the Cut
The WM Phoenix Open is known for its electric atmosphere, rowdy 16th hole, and packed galleries no matter who’s leading. But after one round at TPC Scottsdale, the leaderboard is missing some of golf’s most familiar faces - and a few of them are in real danger of missing the weekend.
Let’s start with the headliner: Scottie Scheffler, the World No. 1, came into the week as the clear favorite. But Thursday didn’t go according to script.
Scheffler posted a 2-over 73, his first over-par round on the PGA Tour in 33 starts - a streak that dates all the way back to the third round of the 2025 Travelers Championship. That’s a remarkable level of consistency, and it’s why he also holds the Tour’s longest active cuts-made streak at 65.
But if he wants to make it 66, he’ll need a strong bounce-back round on Friday afternoon.
Brooks Koepka, playing just his second PGA Tour event since returning from LIV Golf, also struggled. He carded a 4-over 75, with just one birdie on the day - at the par-5 13th - and five bogeys scattered across his card.
Koepka’s game is still rounding into form, and this week was a chance to build some momentum. But unless he finds something quickly, he could be heading for another early exit.
And with no spot in next week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am or the Genesis Invitational after that - both signature events - a missed cut here would mean more time on the sidelines.
Then there’s Xander Schauffele, who saw his impressive streak of 72 consecutive made cuts snapped just last week at Torrey Pines. He opened with an even-par 71 this time around, which isn’t disastrous, but with the projected cut line hovering at 1-under, he’s got work to do to avoid back-to-back early exits.
Datagolf’s early projection gives a 42% chance that the cut will land at 1-under, which means anyone sitting at even or worse is officially on the bubble heading into Friday.
Here’s a look at where some other notable names stand after 18 holes:
- Xander Schauffele - Even par
- Nick Taylor - Even par
- Ben Griffin - Even par
- Joel Dahmen - Even par
- Sam Burns - 1 over
- Corey Conners - 1 over
- Collin Morikawa - 1 over
- Scottie Scheffler - 2 over
- Wyndham Clark - 2 over
- Tony Finau - 2 over
- Brian Harman - 3 over
- Brooks Koepka - 4 over
- Billy Horschel - 4 over
It’s still early, and Friday always brings movement - especially with players knowing what they need to do. But for some of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars, the margin for error has already disappeared. Whether it’s Scheffler trying to keep his streak alive, Koepka searching for form, or Schauffele looking to steady the ship, Friday at TPC Scottsdale just got a whole lot more interesting.