• Slug: Sports–WM Qualifier. 470 words.
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By Luc Carter
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – The 77-year tradition of the WM Phoenix Open Monday qualifier saw its final 89 golfers compete at Pinnacle Peak Country Club.

The historic shift comes after the PGA Tour’s structural changes, but the same high stakes took hold of players competing for an opportunity to live out their dreams and compete on one of the biggest stages in golf.

Only three golfers – Steven Fisk, Max McGreevy and Will Chandler – qualified for this year’s WM Phoenix Open. Fisk, who teed off the earliest out of the qualifiers, ended the day as the tournament’s leader, shooting 9-under-par with eight birdies and an eagle with only one bogey.

“Obviously, if you shoot 9 under, you’re going to make your fair share of putts out there, but overall just a pretty solid day,” said Fisk, who will make his first career appearance at the Phoenix Open. “A lot of quality iron shots to the fat part of the green.”

McGreevy will return to TPC Scottsdale after competing in the event two years ago and shooting 6-over-par and failing to make the cut. He has his eyes set on redemption after shooting 7 under on Monday.

“Yeah, I am excited to be back. I played in 2023, so I got a little bit of a taste for it so I am excited for another opportunity,” McGreevy said. “Obviously, I was playing some good golf, you kind of have to to get through Monday qualifiers, so I am excited for the opportunity. … It’s going to be a fun week.”

McGreevy finished the day with six birdies and an eagle. He maintained his poise throughout the round while keeping his eyes on the Phoenix Open prize.

“With this being three guys get through rather than four like normal Monday qualifiers, I was just trying to get off to a good start, which luckily I did,” McGreevy said. “I just kept giving myself a bunch of good looks and fortunately a lot of them kept going in, so it ended up being a pretty stressless day except for waiting around at the end of it.”

Chandler, a 27-year-old left-hander, tied McGreevy at 7-under-par. The University of Georgia product asserted his dominance after making back-to-back eagles on the 9th and 10th holes, riding the momentum to his first Phoenix Open appearance.

“I hit a 4-iron into both of them. I think I must have hit some good shots,” said Chandler, who has played in two PGA events. “I chipped in here. It was a pretty easy chip, and then hit a good 4-iron on the 10th hole and made a pretty straightforward putt.

“It means I have an opportunity this week to compete on tour. I’ve seen it on TV. It’s a blast. I am excited for sure.”

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