The 2026 Waste Management Open has once again lived up to its reputation as one of the most electric stops on the PGA Tour. With a new leader emerging each day, Saturday’s action saw Hideki Matsuyama and Ryo Hisatsune, both representing Japan, rise to the top of the leaderboard at 11-under. But the chase is far from over - Si Woo Kim, Akshay Bhatia, Jake Knapp, and Matt Fitzpatrick are all within striking distance heading into Sunday.
And then there’s Scottie Scheffler.
The World No. 1 has made a habit of turning slow starts into late-week fireworks, and this weekend in Scottsdale is no different. After a shaky Thursday and a Friday round that just barely got him inside the cut line, Scheffler flipped the switch on Saturday. With four birdies already on the card, he’s climbed into 11th place and is very much back in the hunt.
Scheffler’s round started quietly - seven straight pars to open the day - but the patience paid off. A birdie on the par-4 8th got the round moving, and then came the fireworks.
ANNC: Scottie Scheffler needs something to happen fast
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 7, 2026
SCOTTIE: pic.twitter.com/kMVHJthfUn
On the 10th hole, Scheffler pulled off one of the shots of the day, holing out from a greenside bunker for his second birdie. He followed that up with another on the 11th, suddenly vaulting himself within four shots of the lead.
Even when he stumbled - like on the 12th, where he missed a makeable par putt - Scheffler didn’t let the round unravel. He bounced back immediately with a birdie on the par-5 13th and still has scoring opportunities ahead, including another par-5 at 15 and the raucous, stadium-style par-3 16th that always delivers drama.
Scheffler’s ability to stay composed and grind his way back into contention is a big part of what makes him the top-ranked player in the world. Whether or not he can complete the comeback on Sunday remains to be seen, but if history is any guide, he’s not going away quietly.
With a tightly packed leaderboard, a global cast of contenders, and the tournament’s trademark energy, Sunday at the Waste Management Open is shaping up to be must-watch golf. And with the Super Bowl looming just hours later, it's the kind of sports day fans dream about.