Scottie Scheffler is five shots back of the lead after carding a bogey-free 65 on the second day of the WM Phoenix Open.
Scheffler’s tee-to-gree was at its metronomic best on Friday after the world number one made five straightforward birdies to climb the leaderboard.
However, the two-time Masters champ did face issues with his putter in hand. Scheffler currently ranks 103rd for strokes gained putting and did not hole a putt over teen feet on day two.
If the flat stick heats up for the world number one, he stands every chance of landing his first win of 2025 come Sunday evening.
What Scottie Scheffler heard a fan shout at Max Homa
The crowds at the WM Phoenix Open are typically some of the loudest found on the PGA Tour, and the amphitheatre at the iconic par-three 16th is unlike anything seen elsewhere in professional golf.
With a party-like feel to the event, the PGA Tour issued a zero-tolerance approach to poor behaviour before the tournament after a string of incidents occurred during the 2024 edition.
US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson was involved in an altercation with a fan 12 months ago. Now, Scheffler has revealed his playing partner, Max Homa, was engaged in a slightly more light-hearted back-and-forth with a patron.
“I think of yesterday, we were on No. 6, and Max had a putt from 12 or 15 feet, and a guy in the crowd yelled out, it’s dead straight. And then Max starts reading the putt, and he’s like, stop reading it, Max, it’s dead straight, and he’s yelling at him. So, like, you can’t not hear it,” Scheffler said during his post-round press conference.
“So sometimes you have to make a conscious effort to be like, I’m either going to totally ignore that person or maybe he’s sitting here all day, maybe he knows something. So it’s a tough balancing act out there on the course where sometimes you listen, and sometimes you don’t. But a lot of it you can’t avoid hearing, so you do your best to block it out over the shot.”
WM Phoenix Open: Scottie Scheffler fitness latest
Scheffler is playing his second event after recovering from hand surgery. The world number one damaged his palm whilst serving Christmas Day dinner.
Initially, some thought the injury could be a significant setback. However, during last weekend’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Scheffler delivered a positive update.
“It feels good,” Scheffler said. “I pushed myself really hard last week to get myself ready for this week. I think the worst-case scenario for me would have been coming back too soon and having to stop playing and practicing and take a step back.”
Belgian Thomas Detry leads the WM Phoenix Open at 12 under. Alex Smalley and Michael Kim are in a tie for second. Jordan Spieth, making only his second start after returning from wrist surgery, is in a tie for fourth at nine under.
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