- Slug: Sports-Phoenix Open Chandler. 700 words.
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By Jack Barron
Cronkite News
SCOTTSDALE – PGA Tour newcomer Will Chandler earned his WM Phoenix Open spot days before teeing off at TPC Scottsdale, and he’s already brushing shoulders with some of the biggest names in golf.
Chandler has skyrocketed out of nowhere to top-10 spot after round three. Just like how he punched his ticket to the WM Phoenix Open, Chandler’s time at his third-ever PGA Tour event has been anything but normal.
“It’s a lot of golf, practice round, tournament, practice round, tournament but it’s been great,” Chandler said.
He ended round three tied for 10th at 10-under par. Chandler is within striking distance for a higher finish on Sunday just seven strokes behind tournament leader Thomas Detry.
The 27-year-old Georgia Bulldog had an up and down performance his third time around the course with a pairs of birdies and bogeys through nine holes. On the ninth hole, he got into trouble with an errant shot that landed by the pedestrian path.
“It’s kind of fun to be in the crowd,” Chandler said. “You’re obviously not trying to hit it there, but if you’re there with a shot they go nuts. It’s hilarious.”
With a tree partially in the way, Chandler talked extensively with his caddie and former college teammate Will Kahlstorf to strategize and choose the best club and approach. He somehow avoided littering the grounds with branches and leaves to settle for par before the crowd commended him with Georgia Bulldog barking chants.
“We were trying to get his number,” Kahlstorf said. “We couldn’t find one. We had to find one on the fairway which ended up being a good number, had a good shot.”
Kahlstorf was at home in Nashville, Tennessee, when Chandler was qualifying for the WM Phoenix Open. Kahlstorf has been his friend’s side for all three of his PGA Tour appearances and quickly booked a flight to meet him in Scottsdale. The proud Bulldogs are enjoying every step of the process.
“It’s a cool experience,” Kahlstorf said. “Just trying to soak it all in and do the best we can each day.”
In his first round, Chandler teed off on a good note with four birdies to just one bogey, tallying up for 3-under par after 18 holes. His second round was just as good with back-to-back birdies on the first and second holes followed up by an eagle on the third.
Chandler’s round two score never dipped below 3-under par but he did run into a major hiccup. After playing 16 holes, he was forced off the course as play was suspended due to darkness. Delays are a fact of life on the PGA Tour but one that a newcomer like Chandler had to navigate with little experience.
“I was prepared for not finishing,” said Kris Ventura from Chandler’s round two group. “We knew that there was a limited deadline, so we knew that we’re going to stop either at 16 or 17.”
The delay meant Chandler finished his last two holes at 7:30 a.m. Saturday. His last two second round holes were a mixed bag as he scored a birdie on the 17th hole before recording a bogey on the 18th. Despite the delay, he didn’t have much to worry about as he sat at 4-under par above the cut line.
Chandler’s journey to the PGA Tour is as interesting as that of his WM Phoenix Open appearance. His professional career started in 2021 before playing in the now-defunct PGA Tour Canada in 2023, the final year of the Canadian competition. With no more PGA Tour Canada, Chandler turned his attention to the Korn Ferry Tour, the PGA Tour’s developmental level.
Those steps led to Chandler playing in his first PGA Tour events at The American Express and Farmers Insurance Open in January. All the steps along the way brought Chandler to one of the biggest stage’s in golf, as he still has less than a handful of PGA Tour appearances.
“This place is awesome,” Chandler said. “I mean, the crowds are awesome, I love them. So I feel like I’m at a football game, which I love to do, and I’m playing golf which I also love to do.”
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