Rickie Fowler WDs from WM Phoenix Open

Rickie Fowler has withdrawn from the WM Phoenix Open ahead of the second round. 

Fowler left himself with a considerable battle to make the 36-hole cut at TPC Scottsdale after opening the event with a 3-over 74. 

The projected cut after 18 holes of the PGA Tour's biggest party was 1-under.

But Fowler - who wore a full camo ensemble on day one - has decided to pull out of the tournament altogether, citing illness. 

It means that Fowler, a former winner here in 2019, has now failed to make the weekend in four of his last five appearances. 

The official PGA Tour communications team confirmed Fowler's withdrawal at 3.24pm GMT. 

Sahith Theegala and Billy Horschel will now play the second round in a two-ball. 

Fowler has had an okay start to the 2025 season. 

The American finished in a tie for 21st at The American Express and followed that by sharing 53rd place at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. 

Though it has to be pointed out that the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was limited to a field of 80 players with no cut. 

Fowler is now ranked 85th in the Official World Golf Ranking. 

His last victory on Tour came at the 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic. 

That win, along with string of decent performances, saw him selected as one of Zach Johnson's captain's picks for the 2023 Ryder Cup in Italy. 

Fowler also played in the final group at the 2023 U.S. Open in Los Angeles that was won by Wyndham Clark. 

Fowler barely played in Marco Simone after he came down with a sickness bug that also reportedly affected several other team members. 

The aforementioned Clark held the lead after 18 holes of the WM Phoenix Open. 

Clark hit a 7-under 64 to lead by one stroke. 

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler, playing in his second event after undergoing surgery on his hand, started poorly but holed out for eagle from 100 yards from a fairway bunker on his way to posting a 69. 

Jordan Spieth carded a 68. 

Spieth injury scare

Spieth had surgery on his wrist last August and made his first start since going under the knife at Pebble Beach. 

He told reporters after round one at TPC Scottsdale that his wrist 'jammed up' whilst playing a bunker shot at Spyglass Hill. 

"Luckily this is a really good test these few weeks, and my expectations are low," Spieth told said.  

"I expect myself to make good swings, but as far as results, it's hard to think that I should be expecting a lot after six months after essentially.

"It seems like a good sign"

Justin Thomas hit a 5-under opening round at TPC Scottsdale.

After his round, he was asked about the news that PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan and player director Adam Scott have met with US president Donald Trump. 

The PGA Tour have asked Trump to get involved in talks with LIV Golf's Saudi backers to try and break the impasse. 

Should an agreement be made it would heal the split in world golf. 

"I don't know how it went," Thomas said when asked about the summit. 

"If I could give you more, I would." But he agreed that it's a 'good sign'. 

"Yeah, I think so," he said. "I hope so."

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