The 2025 Waste Management Phoenix Open, referred to in Arizona as the “People’s Open,” along with the “Greenest Show on Grass,” was set in the rugged Sonoran Desert surrounded by the stunning and beautiful McDowell Mountains. The WM Open is a tradition and celebration in the greater Phoenix area.
Thomas Detry shot at 24-under par, won the 2025 Phoenix Open, almost by default, by taking the lead at the end of the second round on Friday and spending the weekend playing “follow the leader” as he captured his first PGA TOUR win before a large and appreciative crowd.
His confidence was no more apparent, then at the world renowned par 3 16th “Stadium Hole” when his tee shot landed 5” from the cup for a “tap in” birdie. Detry made it look easy as he took on a difficult desert course with the finesse and determination of a seasoned veteran.
Daniel Berger (67) at 17-under made things interesting when he birdied the par 3 12th and 13th to put himself 3 behind but his bogey on the par 3 16th hole dropped him back to 17 -under and into a tie for 2nd place with Michael Kim (67) who also finished at 17-under with 3 birdies on the back nine.
“Well, I played really well, but Tom (Detry) just lit it up. I mean, I felt like every-time I made a birdie he made one back there was just no mistakes he played flawlessly.” Berger said, “He deserved to win this week, but it was nice to get back in there and feel those feelings and hit some good shots when I needed to and hang in there as as long as I could.”
TPC Scottsdale’s is known for its infamous par-3 16th Stadium hole and the rowdy crowd that awaits a hole-in-one that triggers a celebration when all “Hell” breaks loose. Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo grabbed his 7-iron and calmly lunched it 155 yards directly into hole for a wildly celebrated “Slam Dunk.” It was his second career hole-in-one on the PGA Tour and undoubtedly his most memorable!
Belgium’s Thomas Detry grabbed a check for $1.656 million winning for the first time on the PGA Tour and punching his first ticket to the Masters. He also went home with the beautiful glass trophy and 500 FedExCup Points.
Detry joined the PGA TOUR in 2023. He had only one top 10 finish during the 24-25 season. His career earnings before today were $7,573,606. He played professionally before joining the PGA Tour winning the 2016 International Bridgestone Challenge
“It’s incredible. It’s what dreams are made of, honestly,” said Detry in his TV interview on the 18th green. “Like that last walk, and then on the last hole was incredible and everything goes so quickly that you don’t really have time to enjoy it.”
He continued, “Luckily, my caddy was there to to tell me to enjoy the moment. It’s pretty special, you know. I’ve given myself plenty of chances in the past and never been able to conclude and being able to to put a statement out like that is is pretty incredible. So, I mean, I’m just over the moon.”
Michael Kim and Daniel Berger tied at -17 under and shared the 2nd and 3rd place money. Each received $818,800.
