Viktor Hovland, the No. 4 participant within the World Golf Rating, and No. 5 Xander Schauffele have each withdrawn from this week’s WM Phoenix Open, the PGA Tour introduced Monday.
Hovland completed in a tie for 58th on the AT&T Pebble Seashore Professional-Am, beating solely 14 gamers within the restricted subject occasion. He opened with a 69 final Thursday, however then struggled to consecutive 72s earlier than the event was shortened to 54 holes as a consequence of climate.
It was Hovland’s first begin since completed tied for twenty second at The Sentry, which additionally featured a restricted subject.
Schauffele, 30, has six top-20 finishes in his six begins on the Phoenix Open, together with second in 2021. He tied for 58th at Pebble Seashore, capturing 73-72-67 to complete at 4 below.
Victor Perez will exchange Hovland within the subject on the Phoenix Open. Davis Riley has additionally withdrawn and has been changed by Ryan Fox, whereas Alexander Björk replaces Schauffele.
The event begins Thursday at TPC Scottsdale and nonetheless consists of an elite subject that’s led by two-time defending champion and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. He’s scheduled to be joined by No. 6 Wyndham Clark, No. 8 Max Homa, No. 9 Matt Fitzpatrick and No. 10 Brian Harman.
Different marquee names within the subject embody Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Sam Burns and Rickie Fowler, together with previous main champions Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott.
Hovland’s withdrawal naturally sparked embers on simmering rumors of a possible transfer to LIV Golf. Tyrrell Hatton pulled out forward of Pebble Seashore earlier than becoming a member of Jon Rahm‘s workforce that went on to win LIV’s first occasion of the season in Mexico on Sunday.
The Norwegian, who has dedicated to the Genesis Invitational at Riviera subsequent week, has repeatedly denied a possible transfer to LIV, saying as not too long ago as December that he doubted that will be a future consideration regardless of additionally criticizing the PGA Tour’s management.
Subject Stage Media contributed to this report.
