Defending Phoenix Open Champ Detry Skips Event for LIV Golf

Thomas Detry, the 2025 WM Phoenix Open winner, is currently leading the inaugural LIV Golf event in Riyadh instead of defending his title.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 7:07pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 2026 WM Phoenix Open is underway, but its defending champion, Thomas Detry, is noticeably absent. Detry, a Belgian golfer who won his first PGA Tour event at the Phoenix Open last year, is currently leading the inaugural LIV Golf event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While some fans miss seeing the champion return to defend his title, others are disappointed by the growing divide between the PGA Tour and the upstart LIV Golf league.

Why it matters

The absence of Detry, the first Belgian to win a PGA Tour event, highlights the ongoing tensions between the established PGA Tour and the new LIV Golf league. As top players like Detry choose to play in LIV events, it raises questions about the future of the sport and whether the best golfers will regularly compete against each other.

The details

Detry, 33, won the 2025 WM Phoenix Open by 7 strokes, cementing his place as the first Belgian to ever win a PGA Tour event. However, this year he is instead competing in the inaugural LIV Golf event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he is currently tied for the lead after two rounds. Meanwhile, at TPC Scottsdale, two-time Phoenix Open champion Scottie Scheffler struggled in the first round with a 2-over 73.

  • The 2026 WM Phoenix Open began play on February 5, 2026.
  • Detry won the 2025 WM Phoenix Open.

The players

Thomas Detry

A 33-year-old Belgian golfer who won his first PGA Tour event at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, becoming the first Belgian to win on the PGA Tour.

Scottie Scheffler

A two-time champion of the WM Phoenix Open who struggled in the first round of the 2026 event with a 2-over 73.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“To be completely honest, I don't know who that is.”

— Anonymous Fan (azcentral.com)

“You always want the repeating champion to be here again and it's kind of sad that he's not.”

— Ed Scharf, 44-year-old Buckeye resident (azcentral.com)

“That means he's at the top of his game. It's always going to leave you wondering 'What if?'”

— Corey Miller, 39-year-old Queen Creek resident (azcentral.com)

“I think the last few years, there's just been a lot of the noise. I think getting those guys back is another step towards us just being able to play golf again.”

— Scottie Scheffler, Current World No. 1 (azcentral.com)

“I'm just focused on myself. I'm focused on how I can go play the best golf over the next four days.”

— Brooks Koepka (azcentral.com)

What’s next

As more top players like Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka announce their intentions to return to the PGA Tour, it remains to be seen whether Detry and other LIV Golf participants will follow suit or if the divide between the two tours will continue.

The takeaway

The absence of defending champion Thomas Detry at the 2026 WM Phoenix Open highlights the ongoing tensions between the PGA Tour and the upstart LIV Golf league. While some fans miss seeing the champion return to defend his title, the situation raises broader questions about the future of professional golf and whether the best players will regularly compete against each other.