[Winners Club] Detri's Divine Approach Beats Opus

First Career Victory at WM Phoenix Open
Becomes First Belgian PGA Tour Champion
Ranked First in Strokes Gained Around the Green
Top Greens in Regulation with Precise Iron Shots

Thomas Detry (Belgium) made new history.

Thomas Detry is making an approach shot on the final day of the WM Phoenix Open. Scottsdale=AFP·Yonhap News

On the 9th (local time), at TPC Scottsdale (Par 71, 7,261 yards) in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, Detry achieved a dominant victory by 7 strokes (24-under 260) at the PGA Tour WM Phoenix Open (total prize money $9.2 million). At 32 years old, Detry won his first PGA Tour title and received a winner's prize of $1,656,000 (approximately 2.4 billion KRW). Although he had no prior wins on the PGA Tour or DP World Tour, he became the first Belgian PGA Tour champion.

Detry turned professional in 2016. In 2019, he gained recognition by setting a world record (1 minute 29 seconds) in an event organized by the DP World Tour to hole out a 500-yard hole as fast as possible. Detry showcased overwhelming skill at the WM Phoenix Open, recording 28 birdies (4 bogeys) over four days. His approach shots around the green were outstanding. He used Callaway Opus wedges (50, 54, 58 degrees) to attack the greens. He achieved a strokes gained total of 7.050 (1st place). His iron accuracy was also excellent, hitting 86.11% greens in regulation (1st place) to create birdie opportunities.

Immediately after his victory, Detry exclaimed in an interview, "I really can't believe it. I had a restless night, but I'm so happy to have won." He added, "In important moments, my heart would race and I would think about the result before the present. Meditation and ice baths helped calm my mind." With this tournament win, Detry jumped from 58th to 22nd in the world rankings.

〈Clubs used during WM Phoenix Open victory〉

Driver: Callaway Paradym Ai Smoke Triple Diamond (9 degrees)

Fairway Wood: Callaway Paradym Ai Spoke Triple Diamond (16.5 degrees)

Hybrid: Callaway Epic (18 degrees)

Irons: Callaway Apex Pro (#4), Callaway Apex MB (#5-PW)

Wedges: Callaway Opus (50, 54, 58 degrees)

Putter: Odyssey O-Works #7 Black

Ball: Callaway Chrome Tour X *Source: PGA Tour