Ryo Hisatsune chipped in for birdie in surprising fashion to cap a back-nine hot streak and overtake Japanese countryman Hideki Matsuyama for the second-round lead at the WM Phoenix Open on Friday in Arizona.
Hisatsune is 11 under for the week after his stellar 8-under-par 63. The 23-year-old is searching for his first win on the PGA Tour.
Hisatsune went birdie-birdie-eagle-birdie-birdie at TPC Scottsdale’s 13th through 17th holes, including an 8-footer for eagle at the par-5 15th and a 7 1/2-foot birdie putt at the “Stadium Hole,” the par-3 16th. The latter tied him with Matsuyama, who was in the clubhouse at 10 under with a 64.
On the short par-4 17th, Hisatsune attempted to drive the green but ended up in the adjacent water hazard. After a penalty drop, he faced about 29 feet to the pin, and his chip tracked straight to the cup for the go-ahead birdie.
First-round leader Chris Gotterup settled for a 71 and is tied for third with Pierceson Coody (68) at 8 under. Si Woo Kim of South Korea had the round of the day, a 9-under 62 that vaulted him to 7 under, where he’s tied for fifth with Akshay Bhatia (67), Sahith Theegala (65) and Englishmen John Parry (65) and Matt Fitzpatrick (70).
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler was in danger of missing the cut after a surprising round of 73 on Thursday. He responded with a bogey-free, 6-under 65 in his second round to climb to 4 under par.
The projected cut line stood at 1 under with just a few groups still finishing their rounds as play was suspended due to darkness.
