Justin Thomas highlights ‘crazy’ change at the WM Phoenix Open which he’s ‘never seen’ before at TPC Scottsdale

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Justin Thomas has work to do if he’s to land his first PGA Tour victory in two-and-a-half years at the WM Phoenix Open.

Thomas, who is winless since the 2022 PGA Championship, shot 68 (three under) on Friday. The two-time major winner was left to rue a slow start to his front nine.

Thomas picked up a shot on the third only to give it back on the ninth. Thankfully, a flurry of late birdies rescued what was turning into a somewhat stale round.

During the first round, the rough at TPC Scottsdale caught Thomas’ attention. Now, after the second day’s play, the American was amazed by how the wind switched.

What Justin Thomas said about the wind at TPC Scottsdale

Speaking during his post-round press conference, Thomas claimed the breeze was shifting direction for nearly every single shot.

“For sure. Yeah, it was weird; I drove it great today. I felt like I drove it better, other than two drives than yesterday. But yeah, just didn’t have the sharpness today. I’ve never seen the wind switch around this place like it did today. It was crazy,” Thomas said.

“It just felt like every shot it was doing something different than it either was supposed to do or the shot before that, and in a place like this when it starts getting firmer, you have to be very precise. You can look pretty stupid. You look at the shots that we hit into 12 today, I looked behind us, Hideki looked like he was posing on one that landed eight yards short of the green.

“It’s weird; when it’s this light, it can swirl around a lot, but everybody had to deal with it, and yeah, so I was glad to finish off those last five holes or six holes how I did.”

• READ MORE: Justin Thomas reveals how PGA Tour golfers have reacted to the letter he sent voicing his concerns last month

WM Phoenix Open leaders as Scottie Scheffler makes move

Thomas is currently eight-under for the tournament and four shots back of leader Thomas Detry. The Belgian made five back-nine birdies to shoot 64 and end the day with a two-shot lead.

Alex Smalley and Michael Kim are in a tie for second at ten-under, and Jordan Spieth is in a three-way tie for fourth at nine-under. Spieth is still recovering from wrist surgery and is playing only his second event of the season.

World number one Scottie Scheffler also made a move on Friday. The 28-year-old carded a bogey-free 66, but things could have been better for the American. Scheffler did not hole a putt over ten feet and currently ranks 103rd for strokes gained putting.