Thomas Detry has made history by becoming the first Belgian golfer to secure a victory on the PGA Tour, marking his home country as the 33rd nation represented on the Tour’s win list. This significant achievement took place at the WM Phoenix Open, where Detry clinched his first win in just his 67th start on the Tour.
Detry delivered an impressive performance throughout the tournament, finishing at an astounding 24 under par, which was a remarkable seven strokes ahead of competitors Daniel Berger and Michael Kim. This victory not only highlights Detry’s skill but also positions him as the third European golfer to triumph at this event, making him the first since Jesper Parnevik from Sweden claimed the title back in 1998.
Reflecting on his victory, the 32-year-old Detry remarked on the determination he felt throughout the final round, stating, “Deep inside, I was kind of—yeah, this one nobody was going to take it away from me.” He took control of the match early, entering the final round with a commanding five-stroke lead after shooting a third-round 65. Despite the pressure, especially when Berger managed to cut into his lead, Detry held his ground.
One of the most memorable moments of the day occurred on the iconic par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, where an enthusiastic crowd of around 20,000 fans gathered. Detry came incredibly close to an ace, landing his tee shot just a foot away from the hole. Describing the moment, Detry explained the strategy he and his caddy devised prior to the shot. They had calculated the distance to be around 163 to 164 meters to the flag and aimed to pitch it at 155. Detry executed the shot flawlessly, emphasizing the feel he had, “I flushed it. I covered it nicely. It just was flying so good in the air.” This near-hole-out combined with a bogey from Berger allowed Detry to extend his lead back to five strokes with two holes to play.
On Berger’s side, this tournament marked a significant turnaround following an extended layoff due to a back injury that had sidelined him for 19 months between 2022 and 2024. Berger’s performance here was noteworthy as it represented his best finish outside of the fall series following his injury and earned him a place in next week’s Genesis Open after finishing No. 100 in the previous season’s FedExCup standings. He expressed gratitude for being able to compete again, relaying a sense of personal accomplishment. “I asked for a sponsor exemption into Pebble Beach (last week) where the last time I played it I won (2021), and two years in a row I didn’t get that exemption,” Berger shared. His drive to succeed without external help fueled his excitement for the upcoming tournament.
Despite Berger’s efforts, Detry managed to fortify his lead, adding two more birdies in his final two holes, ultimately finishing with a final-round score of 65, tying for the lowest round of the day. This victory not only marks a personal high for Detry but also qualifies him for prestigious tournaments like the Masters and the PGA Championship.
Looking ahead, Detry has aspirations that could lead him toward the European Ryder Cup team in September. His victory at the WM Phoenix Open brings him one step closer to achieving that dream. The Ryder Cup is a significant event in golf, and Detry has voiced his sincere desire to represent his country. “The Ryder Cup is something that I really want to be proud of,” he remarked, emphasizing that while it is a dream, he is focused on his game without letting that aspiration dictate his season. He believes that consistent strong performances will naturally put him in contention for a spot on the Ryder Cup team. Notably, the last Belgian to participate in a Ryder Cup was Nicolas Colsaerts in 2012, and with Detry’s recent win, he could potentially become the first Belgian with a PGA Tour victory to represent at such a prestigious event.
