Round 3 Recap: WM Phoenix Open – The Pressure Builds in the Desert

 Moving day at the WM Phoenix Open lived up to the hype as players jockeyed for position heading into Sunday’s final round. The third round brought plenty of drama, with some players making big moves while others faltered under the pressure of TPC Scottsdale. Let’s break down how the league’s selections fared on Saturday.

The Big Movers 🏌️‍♂️🔥

• Maverick McNealy (63) – McNealy delivered the round of the day, firing an electric 63 to catapult himself up the leaderboard. His bogey-free round was highlighted by pinpoint approach shots and a scorching hot putter.
• Daniel Berger (66) – Berger has been quietly making a strong case all week, and his third-round 66 kept him right in the mix for a top finish. Consistency has been key, and he’s got a chance to make a final push on Sunday.
• Sungjae Im (67) – Im has been steady all week, but his third-round 67 was exactly what he needed to set himself up for a strong finish. His ability to grind through tough spots is proving to be a difference-maker.
• JT Poston (68) – Another solid day for Poston as he keeps himself within striking distance. With three rounds in the 60s, he’ll be one to watch on Sunday.

Holding Steady ⛳

• Sepp Straka (68) – Three straight rounds in the 60s have kept Straka in contention. While he hasn’t delivered a fireworks display, his consistent play could be enough to sneak into the top 10.
• Akshay Bhatia (69) – Bhatia continues to show why he’s one of the rising stars, keeping himself in the mix with yet another solid round.
• Christian Bezuidenhout (69) – A steady 69 keeps him in the fight. He’ll need a big final round to climb higher on the leaderboard.
• Sahith Theegala (69) – After a rough start to the tournament, Theegala has clawed his way back into respectability. His second straight under-par round has him back on track.

Struggles on Moving Day 😬

• Tom Kim (72) – After a promising first two rounds, Kim took a step back with an even-par 72. He’ll need a Sunday charge to climb back into contention.
• Keith Mitchell (72) – A similar story for Mitchell, who couldn’t keep up his earlier momentum.
• Sam Burns (74) – Burns struggled to get anything going, posting a frustrating 74 that pushed him further down the board.
• Corey Connors (73) – Connors’ iron game wasn’t as sharp in Round 3, leading to a tough day on the course.

Missed the Cut ❌

The field was trimmed after Friday, and unfortunately, Billy Horschel, Matt Fitzpatrick, Andrew Novak, Charley Hoffman, and Chan Kim didn’t make the weekend.

Looking Ahead to Sunday

With the final round on deck, McNealy and Berger are in the best position to make a serious push. Can McNealy back up his Saturday brilliance with another low round? Will someone further down the board go lights out to steal the show?

One thing is for sure—Sunday at the WM Phoenix Open is set to bring fireworks! Stay tuned for the final round recap.

📊 Leaderboard Positions & Final Predictions:
Who do you think will close it out? Let us know your thoughts! #WMOpen #GGG #FinalRoundPush