Monday Qualifier Outperforms Playing Partner Scottie Scheffler By Six Strokes At WM Phoenix Open
Will Chandler had a Sunday to remember at the WM Phoenix Open, as the Monday qualifier beat World No.1, and playing partner, Scottie Scheffler, by six strokes over the final round


Golf has the tendency to throw up some weird and wonderful surprises and, along with Thomas Detry's dominant victory at the WM Phoenix Open, it was Will Chandler who was also grabbing the headlines.
Having Monday-qualified to get into the WM Phoenix Open, something that is being scrapped next season, the American carded rounds of 68, 67, 68 and 66 to finish in a share of sixth, with his final round six shots better than his playing partner, Scottie Scheffler, who could only managed a one-over-par 72.
Scheffler struggled over the back nine as he finished in a share of 25th
Early on in the day, it seemed that Scheffler was set to make one of his famous late runs to the title, with the American four-under through six holes. However, a short missed putt on the ninth seemed to be the catalyst for a very out of character back nine.
Bogeying the 12th and 13th, Scheffler then bogeyed the 16th before a double bogey six on the final hole meant a back nine of 41 and a share of 25th place on the leaderboard.
Chandler had played just two PGA Tour events before the WM Phoenix Open
Chandler, on the other hand, remained consistent throughout the day and, after a one-under front nine, finished with four birdies in his final seven holes for a 15-under tournament total, which was good enough for a top 10.
"It feels good for sure," stated Chandler following his round. "I'm not thinking about much. I treat it like any other tournament. I'm leaving a little happier than I did my first two events, but at the end of the day, it's golf. I'm definitely, definitely pleased with the week, but I'm excited to get back to work and get home. I have a lot I can improve on for sure...
"I mean, he's (Scheffler) an amazing golfer. He's a great person, too. Him and Cam, they're awesome. I didn't know either of them, but they couldn't have been nicer... They were great. They're obviously amazing players."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Securing a top 10 now means Chandler has qualified for the Mexico Open in two weeks time. However, along with the positives, there's also the small matter of there being no Monday qualifiers for the WM Phoenix Open going into the future, something that has been a part of the calendar since 1948.
The reason for the decision is because the PGA Tour are looking to reduce field sizes and ensure more playing opportunities for its members. One other reason is down to the factor of slow play and the need to ensure rounds can finish in daylight.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
How To Build The Right Set Of Metalwoods For Your Game
How should you configure the clubs at the top end of the bag? We outline everything you need to consider when choosing a driver, fairway wood and hybrid…
By Joel Tadman Published
-
The 9 Infuriating Etiquette Errors I See Most Often
Most things about the game of golf bring me joy, but these etiquette gaffes are more common than they should be and wind me up on a consistent basis
By Nick Bonfield Published
-
Impressive Players Championship TV Ratings Show Rory McIlroy Is Golf's Needle Mover
McIlroy's victory at The Players Championship drew an increase in viewership over 2024, with his recent victories on the PGA Tour showing that he could well be the new needle mover
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy Adds New Event To Pre-Masters Schedule
McIlroy will make his debut in the Houston Open next week, the World No.2 has confirmed
By Elliott Heath Published
-
JJ Spaun Didn’t Win The Players Championship, But Here’s Everything He Gets After A Life-Changing Week At TPC Sawgrass
Spaun may have missed out on Players Championship victory, but the American can take solace in a number of positives from a fine week at TPC Sawgrass
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Would YouTube Star Grant Horvat Accept A Sponsor's Invite To A PGA Tour Event? The Answer Is Complicated...
The 2025 Creator Classic champion explained why he has mixed feelings on whether he would accept a hypothetical sponsor's invite to a PGA Tour event
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Valspar Championship Prize Money Payout 2025
The Valspar Championship is the final event of the Florida Swing, with an $8.7 million purse up for grabs at Innisbrook Resort's Copperhead Course
By Matt Cradock Published
-
‘It’s Hard To Not Feel Discouraged’ - JJ Spaun Reacts After Players Championship Playoff Defeat To Rory McIlroy
The American came up short in a bid to win The Players Championship, as Spaun would rue a costly triple bogey at the par 3 17th in a playoff with Rory McIlroy
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Paul McGinley Proposes ‘One Of The Things That I Think LIV Have Got Right’ To Be Applied To PGA Tour
The Golf Channel analyst thinks a key change implemented by LIV Golf could make all the difference to the PGA Tour
By Mike Hall Published
-
Keegan Bradley Makes Second Hole-In-One Of 2025 At Another Iconic Venue
Keegan Bradley made an ace in the final round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass - and it's not the only iconic venue he's achieved it at this year
By Mike Hall Published