SCOTTSDALE, Arizona — The WM Phoenix Open has long held a reputation as the PGA Tour's most unpredictable party, where golf tradition meets raucous celebration. On Thursday morning at TPC Scottsdale, Matt Fitzpatrick delivered a performance that captured the tournament's essence perfectly—a brilliant surge followed by a sobering reality check, all wrapped in a 6-under 65 that left the Englishman with mixed emotions.
Starting his day on the 10th tee during the early wave, Fitzpatrick appeared destined for a round for the ages. The 29-year-old, who now calls the United States home for much of the year, demonstrated why he's considered one of the game's premier ball-strikers. His opening salvo came quickly: birdies on his first two holes set the tone, and after a brief interlude with consecutive pars, he unleashed a scoring barrage that had spectators and officials alike taking notice.
The stretch from holes 13 through 17 became a masterclass in precision golf. Fitzpatrick methodically dissected TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course, rolling in putt after putt to record five straight birdies. Each successive hole seemed to build upon the last, his confidence growing with every flagstick he attacked. By the time he completed his ninth hole of the day, the scorecard read a staggering 29—seven strokes beneath par and a figure that placed him squarely in rare company.
The inward half, however, would test his resolve in different ways. The magic that defined his front nine began to wane as Fitzpatrick made the turn. A birdie on his third hole provided hope that the momentum might continue, but a cruel lip-out on the seventh hole served as a turning point. The putt that refused to drop seemed to signal a shift in fortunes, and the closing stretch confirmed it.
The final two holes proved particularly costly. Fitzpatrick's first bogey came on the eighth hole of his back nine, where an errant approach or missed green led to a dropped shot. The ninth compounded the frustration, as a second consecutive bogey brought him back to earth. What had begun as a potential 59-watch had settled into a still-respectable 65, though the sting of those lost strokes was palpable.
"It's disappointing," Fitzpatrick said afterward, his honesty refreshing in a sport often dominated by clichés. "I guess the way you got to look at it is if I started bogey-bogey and you finish 6 under you come off feeling like the greatest player in the world. You got to try and reframe it I guess there. If someone would've said here is 6 under to start day and I can stay in bed, I would've snatched your hand off."
His ability to mentally reframe the situation highlighted the psychological complexity of professional golf. While the finish left a bitter taste, the perspective remained clear: a 6-under opening round at a tournament where he's enjoyed past success was nothing to dismiss.
Indeed, Fitzpatrick's history at the WM Phoenix Open has been largely positive. This week's appearance marks his fifth at the event, and despite last year's missed cut, his record includes three top-30 finishes and a notable top-10 performance in 2022. The Stadium Course suits his methodical approach, rewarding precision over power in many instances.
The tournament's atmosphere, particularly the infamous 16th hole stadium environment, creates a challenge unique in professional golf. Fitzpatrick had experienced the crowd's passion firsthand just days earlier during a Tuesday appearance at Westin Kierland Golf Club. The Troon meet-and-greet, which introduced LPGA star Jennifer Kupcho as the company's newest team member, featured a Q&A session where the Ryder Cup inevitably surfaced.
When the topic of Europe's triumphant performance at Marco Simone Golf Club last September arose, Fitzpatrick couldn't suppress a wide grin. His comment about beating the Americans on their home soil landed with the local crowd like a lead balloon, drawing good-natured boos from the partisan Arizona audience. The moment, while awkward, was delivered in jest and underscored the deep-seated rivalries that make the Ryder Cup special.
Thursday's early tee time offered a strategic advantage unrelated to swing mechanics or putting stroke. Fitzpatrick navigated the course's most raucous sections—particularly the gauntlet of holes that draw the biggest galleries—before the crowds reached their peak capacity and, perhaps more importantly, their peak volume. The question of whether this timing provided an edge elicited a diplomatic response.
"No," he said, smiling at the suggestion. "I don't think there is any advantage there. Realistically, it's two, three holes that will you might get a bit of abuse on, but it's all good fun. I love this week. I played it for the last I think it's my fifth time, so always happy to be here."
His genuine appreciation for the tournament's unique culture shone through, even as he acknowledged the potential for "abuse" from the famously rowdy spectators. The Greenest Show on Grass demands a particular mental fortitude, one that Fitzpatrick seems to embrace rather than endure.
Friday's afternoon tee time will present a stark contrast. The party atmosphere will be in full swing, with the 16th hole stadium likely at capacity and the libations flowing freely. How Fitzpatrick manages the heightened stimuli could well determine his fate for the weekend.
From a broader career perspective, the Englishman finds himself in a victory drought, albeit a modest one by tour standards. His last PGA Tour win came at the 2023 RBC Heritage, meaning he's played 71 events since hoisting a trophy. While he's remained competitive, consistently ranking among the world's elite, the hunger for another victory is undoubtedly present.
The opening-round 65 positions him well within the tournament's structure. TPC Scottsdale rewards aggressive play, and Fitzpatrick's ball-striking prowess gives him the tools necessary to go low. The key will be maintaining the momentum from that spectacular front-nine run while addressing the mistakes that crept in during the closing holes.
As the desert sun set on Thursday's play, Fitzpatrick's performance served as a microcosm of professional golf's emotional rollercoaster. The joy of a 29, the frustration of consecutive bogeys, and the ultimate perspective of a 6-under start combined to create a narrative that will likely define his week.
For spectators and fans, the Englishman's presence adds another layer of intrigue to an already compelling tournament. His methodical approach contrasts with the chaotic energy of the Phoenix Open, creating a fascinating dynamic to observe. Whether he can harness Thursday's strong start while avoiding the pitfalls that plagued his finish remains to be seen, but his track record at this event suggests he'll be a factor come Sunday.
The WM Phoenix Open has always been about more than just golf scores—it's about handling pressure, managing distractions, and thriving in an environment unlike any other. Matt Fitzpatrick's opening round checked all those boxes, setting the stage for what promises to be an intriguing weekend in the Arizona desert.