Ryo Hisatsune makes water-ball birdie, leads 2026 WM Phoenix Open

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Ryo Hisatsune, a Japanese professional golfer, made an incredible birdie on the 17th hole of the 2026 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. After driving his tee shot into the water, Hisatsune chipped in from the drop zone to save par and take the outright lead in the tournament. This marked a remarkable turnaround in his round, as he had just gone birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie on the previous four holes.

Why it matters

Hisatsune's performance showcases the high level of skill and resilience among the current generation of professional golfers. His ability to recover from an errant tee shot and make an unlikely birdie highlights the unpredictable nature of the sport and the importance of mental fortitude. Additionally, the fact that two Japanese players are currently leading the tournament is a significant milestone, as it has been over 40 years since this last occurred on the PGA Tour.

The details

On the par-4 17th hole, Hisatsune drove his tee shot into the water hazard to the left of the green. After taking a drop, he chipped in from the drop zone for a remarkable birdie, which allowed him to take the outright lead at 11-under par. This came on the heels of a remarkable stretch where he had gone birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie on holes 13 through 16. Hisatsune's closing par on the 18th hole gave him an 8-under 63 for the round and a one-shot lead as he finished his day.

• Hisatsune went birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie on holes 13 through 16.
• Hisatsune drove his tee shot into the water on the par-4 17th hole.
• Hisatsune chipped in from the drop zone for birdie on the 17th hole.
• Hisatsune closed with a par on the 18th hole, giving him an 8-under 63 and a one-shot lead.

What’s next

Hisatsune will look to maintain his lead and potentially win his first PGA Tour event on Sunday. Matsuyama will try to catch him and claim his second Phoenix Open title.