SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — While thunderous cheers echoed around TPC Scottsdale during a dramatic finish at the WM Phoenix Open, another high-stakes storyline quietly reached its conclusion along the back nine.
The tournament marked the final stop in the opening stretch of the 2026 PGA TOUR season to determine the first Aon Swing 5. This pathway rewards the top five non-exempt players in FedExCup points during the early-season window with coveted spots in the next two Signature Events: the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and The Genesis Invitational.
By Sunday night, the calculations were complete—and five players had punched their tickets.
The Aon Swing 5 Qualifiers
Pierceson Coody, Ryo Hisatsune, Jake Knapp, Matt McCarty and Patrick Rodgers secured the five available positions, narrowly edging out several high-profile contenders.
Final Aon Swing 5 Standings
- Pierceson Coody – 376.500
- Ryo Hisatsune – 287.125
- Jake Knapp – 257.500
- Matt McCarty – 235.250
- Patrick Rodgers – 234.492
Just missing out were Sahith Theegala, Andrew Putnam, Michael Thorbjornsen and Nicolai Højgaard.
Coody’s Resurgence Leads the Way
Pierceson Coody continued his impressive turnaround by finishing inside the top 10 in Phoenix, sealing the top spot in the Aon Swing 5 standings. After a difficult rookie season in 2024, Coody regrouped on the Korn Ferry Tour and returned to the PGA TOUR with renewed confidence.
His 2026 campaign has featured three consecutive top-20 finishes, highlighted by a runner-up showing at the Farmers Insurance Open. That level of consistency—often built through countless hours of off-course practice—has positioned Coody as one of the early-season standouts heading into the TOUR’s biggest events.
Hisatsune’s Breakthrough Moment
Ryo Hisatsune matched Coody with a T10 finish at the WM Phoenix Open, comfortably locking in second place. The 23-year-old, who narrowly retained his PGA TOUR card last fall, now finds himself earning starts in back-to-back Signature Events.
Playing in the final group alongside Hideki Matsuyama was a milestone moment for Hisatsune, who has steadily sharpened his game since earning Rookie of the Year honors on the DP World Tour. For players like him, disciplined practice routines—often supported by tools such as home golf nets—can be the difference between flashing potential and sustaining results.
Knapp Secures, McCarty and Rodgers Hold On
Jake Knapp secured third place with a solo eighth in Scottsdale, removing any doubt about his Signature Event status over the next two weeks.
The final two spots, however, were far from comfortable. Matt McCarty, despite missing the cut in Phoenix, relied on earlier strong performances to remain inside the top five. Patrick Rodgers leaned on his steady early-season form to narrowly survive the cutoff.
Rodgers has navigated these qualification pathways before, using similar opportunities last season to climb the FedExCup standings and deliver his best results in elite fields.
Big Names Fall Just Short
Sahith Theegala’s late bogey ultimately pushed him outside the top five, though his strong early-season play was rewarded with a sponsor exemption into Pebble Beach. Meanwhile, Michael Thorbjornsen and Nicolai Højgaard briefly threatened to break through but came up just short despite valiant final-round efforts.
Looking Ahead
As the PGA TOUR shifts to its first Signature Events of the year, the Aon Swing 5 once again proves how quickly momentum can change early in the season. From tournament reps to focused practice sessions—sometimes as simple as dialing in ball-striking at home with a golf net—these marginal gains continue to separate those who advance from those who narrowly miss out.
The next two weeks will show just how far this momentum can carry the newest additions to the Signature Event fields. 🏌️♂️⛳