Xander Schauffele makes surprise withdrawal from the 2024 WM Phoenix Open after Viktor HovlandViktor Hovland, the 2023 FedEx Cup champion, has pulled out of the WM Phoenix Open on Monday. He will be taking a break to prepare for the Genesis Invitational next week.
He is not the only star player to miss the desert event. Xander Schauffele, who is fifth in the world rankings, also withdrew from the WM Phoenix Open. He had a disappointing T-54 finish at Pebble Beach last week, his first time outside the top 10 in four events this year. He will also be playing at the Genesis Invitational next week.
Both Schauffele and Hovland had decent results at the WM Phoenix Open last year, finishing 10th and 42nd respectively. However, their absence will not affect the quality of the field this week.
Scottie Scheffler, the world number one, will go for his third consecutive victory at TPC Scottsdale. He will try to emulate Steve Stricker, who won the John Deere Classic three times in a row from 2009 to 2011.
Other big names in the field include Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas. They are among the nine players in the top 20 of the OWGR who will compete this week. The WM Phoenix Open may not be a marquee event this year, but it still offers a lucrative prize of $1.584 million out of a total purse of $8.8 million.
The 2024 WM Phoenix Open will be held from February 8 to 11 at the TPC Scottsdale-Stadium Course.
