Several prominent golfers are facing the possibility of missing the cut after uninspiring performances in the opening round of the 2026 WM Phoenix Open. The tournament has started with notable outings from World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, and Xander Schauffele, each of whom will need a strong second round to remain in contention at TPC Scottsdale.
Scottie Scheffler, the reigning top player in the world, ended the first day with a 2-over 73, marking his first over-par round in 33 events on the PGA Tour. This unexpected performance comes as a shock, as Scheffler had previously held the record for the longest active cut streak at 65. He will need to rally in the second round to avoid breaking that streak.
In his second tournament back since returning to the PGA Tour, Brooks Koepka shot a disappointing 4-over 75. He managed just one birdie, which was on the par-5 13th hole, but struggled with five bogeys throughout the round. With significant events like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and the Genesis Invitational on the horizon, a missed cut would add to his time off the course.
Meanwhile, Xander Schauffele, who recently saw his impressive streak of 72 consecutive made cuts come to an end, is currently sitting at even-par after posting a 71. With another missed cut potentially looming, Schauffele’s situation is also precarious.
While the early projections set the cut line at 1 under with a 42 percent chance of being the final mark, the excitement of the WM Phoenix Open continues, drawing crowds regardless of leaderboard standings. Notable competitors remaining in the hunt include Nick Taylor, Ben Griffin, and Joel Dahmen, all at even par, while some, including Tony Finau and Brian Harman, are slightly above par.
Despite the challenges faced by these top players, Friday presents a fresh opportunity for them to reclaim momentum and strive for a spot on the weekend’s rounds. The dynamic nature of golf means that anything can happen, making this tournament still wide open for a comeback.