"Weekend Fore-cast" prepares you for golf's major tours heading into the weekend. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. In this installment, Elliott looks at the WM Phoenix Open through two rounds and how things are shaping up in Bradenton Country Club at the LPGA Tour’s Founders Cup. Oh, and guess who's back? Tiger Returns next week at The Genesis Invitational.
PGA TOUR Round-Up: Thomas Detry Takes Command at the WM Phoenix Open
As the sun dipped behind the mountains on day two of the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, Thomas Detry stole the show with an outstanding round of 7-under par 64, giving him a two-shot lead heading into the weekend. His play at TPC Scottsdale has been nothing short of impressive. His iron play was clinical, going 18/18 in GIR on Friday, and through 36 holes, he leads the field in that category, missing only one green thus far.
Michael Kim and Alex Smalley Close Behind, Kim, Spieth, and Scheffler in the Mix
Two back are Michael Kim and Alex Smalley. Kim had the round of the day on Friday with an 8-under par 63, which included four straight birdies to close. Smalley shot a round of 6-under par 65 to back up his first-round 67. Smalley has done his damage this week on the greens, leading the field in Strokes Gained Putting, picking up just over six strokes on his fellow competitors.
Three shots back are two of the game's most popular players, Tom Kim and Jordan Spieth. Sitting at 9-under par, the duo are absolutely players to watch this weekend. Kim, who had a rough start to his 2025 season with a T65 at The Sony and a missed cut at The American Express, bounced back nicely at Pebble last week, tying for 7th. Spieth made his season debut last week at the AT&T after being out of action since last year's FedEx St. Jude Championship in August due to wrist surgery. His T69, ending the week at Even Par, was probably not what Jordan had in mind, but this week, especially yesterday, was more like it for Spieth. The 6-under par 65 Spieth shot on Friday included eagles on both par fives on the back nine. Joining Spieth and Kim at 9-under par is South African Christiaan Bezuidenhout.
Other notable names in the mix include Adam Hadwin and Justin Thomas, who are 8-under par; Brian Harman and Scottie Scheffler, who are 7-under par; and Akshay Bhatia, Matthieu Pavon, Nick Taylor, and Luke List, who are 6-under.
Excitement at the 16th Hole
One of the most notable parts of this week's WM is the iconic 16th hole, famous for its electrifying stadium-like atmosphere. Two-time PGA TOUR winner Emiliano Grillo added to the excitement of the setting with an incredible hole-in-one, sending the crowd into a frenzy. His slam dunk, on-the-fly ace was what the raucous fans who post up on the party hole pray for—what a moment! These kinds of surprises are what make the WM Phoenix Open a perennial favorite. Grillo's shot may have just been what got him to the weekend as he made the cut on the number at 2-under par.
Weekend Anticipation—Expect the Unexpected
As we prepare for the weekend, we know one thing: expect the unexpected, as is the case every week on the PGA TOUR. The Stadium Course presents unique challenges, particularly the exciting par-3 16th hole. It promises to be a weekend worth watching in Scottsdale.
The Return of the Legend
In other exciting news, Tiger Woods has confirmed that he will be at the 2025 Genesis Invitational next week, which will be held at Torrey Pines due to the fires that affected the greater Los Angeles area last month. This is a significant development for golf; however, it wasn’t the biggest surprise since Woods demonstrated considerable strength at the PNC Championship back in December. Whether you love him or hate him (I’m in the love camp), there is no denying that Woods has been a transformative figure in not just golf but also in sports and culture. His mere presence draws crowds, boosts TV ratings, and moves the needle in the sport.
The Genesis Invitational holds a special significance for Woods; it’s where he made his PGA TOUR debut at the age of 16. His role as the tournament host through his TGR Foundation highlights his enduring impact on the game. All eyes will be on him, not only to see how he performs but also to celebrate his resilience.
LPGA Tour Weekend Fore-cast: Jin Young Ko's Stellar Performance Positioning Her Well for Fourth Founders Cup Title
Jin Young Ko’s performance over the first two rounds has solidified her position as the player to beat this weekend at Bradenton Country Club. After shooting an impressive second-round 63, Ko has taken a two-shot lead going into the weekend at 12-under par, positioning herself nicely in her bid for a fourth Founders Cup victory. Her back nine was a clinic, as she birded six holes en route to a 30 coming in.
The Contenders
Yealimi Noh, Minami Katsu, Angel Yin, and Jin Hee Im are two back from Ko at 10-under par, Lauren Coughlin is three back at 9-under par, and six players, including Hannah Green and Jennifer Kupcho, are positioned five back at 7-under par.
One player that the fans and her fellow players look for on the leaderboard is World number one, Nelly Korda. With rounds of 69 and 67, Korda is 6-under par through 36 and six back of Ko.
Weekend Outlook: Stars and Surprises
As we venture into the second half of the Founders Cup, be on the lookout for unexpected twists. With several top players still within striking distance, Bradenton Country Club's challenging layout looming, and the pressure that comes down the stretch on the weekend, anything can happen.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
