SCOTTSDALE – Thomas Detry birdied the last four holes in a masterful six-under par 65 on Sunday to win the Phoenix Open by seven strokes, his first PGA Tour title making him the first Belgian to win on the US circuit.
“It’s incredible. It’s what dreams are made of,” said Detry, who had two runner-up finishes in 65 prior starts, after he powered to a 24-under total of 260 at TPC Scottsdale.
He kept his cool amid the raucous atmosphere as a handful of challengers — including three-time major winner Jordan Spieth and world number one Scottie Scheffler — tried and failed to make inroads on his five-shot overnight lead.
American Daniel Berger came the closest, briefly pulling within two strokes before a costly bogey at the par-three 16th.
It was Berger’s lone bogey of the day after five birdies, his four-under 67 leaving him tied for second on 267 with American Michael Kim, who also had five birdies in a 67.
By the time Kim was making his late move, Detry was on the march. After two birdies and a bogey in his first three holes the 32-year-old Belgian put on a back-nine clinic starting with a nine-foot birdie at the 11th.
A seven-foot birdie at the par-five 15th launched his bravura finish. At 16, the par-three ringed by multi-story hospitality suites, he thrilled some 20,000 fans with a tee shot that threatened the pin and left him little more than a foot for birdie.
“Considering the circumstances one of the best shots of the week and of my life, definitely,” he said.
A 21-footer at the 17th and a 10-foot birdie at 18 rounded off the virtuoso performance.
“It’s pretty special,” Detry said. “I’ve given myself plenty of chances in the past and never been able to conclude. Being able to put a statement out like that is pretty incredible. I am just over the moon, so happy.”
Berger, who won the most recent of his four titles at Pebble Beach in 2021, took off 18 months after the 2022 US Open as he battled debilitating back pain.
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