Belgium and Dubai have a new golfing hero – and the story is just beginning!
Under the vast desert skies of Arizona, Thomas Detry stood composed, his hands firm on the grip of his Scotty Cameron Phantom X putter. The deafening energy of the WM Phoenix Open crowd momentarily hushed as he focused on the putt that would change his career. With a final, confident stroke, the ball rolled smoothly into the cup—sealing his maiden PGA Tour victory in emphatic style.
his was more than just a win; it was a statement. The Belgian had arrived—not as a hopeful challenger, but as a champion. His breakthrough at TPC Scottsdale, a stage where legends are made, etched his name into the record books as the first Belgian to triumph in a full-field PGA Tour event.
Step onto the Stadium Course and the echoes of golfing greats linger—Hogan, Nelson, Nicklaus, Palmer—and now, Detry has added his name to the roster of history-makers.
At 32, and a proud Dubai resident since 2020, he overcame pre-tournament nerves and the weight of expectation to claim a career-defining victory. With his long-overdue first win in the bag, Detry now has his sights set on an even grander stage—The Ryder Cup—as he aims to don the blue and gold of Team Europe in golf’s ultimate battle.
Detry’s victory at Scottsdale was not an overnight success but the result of years of dedication, hard work, and strategic choices. One of those choices was making Dubai his base. Like many top professional golfers, he found the Emirate was the perfect place to refine his game, with world-class facilities, year-round playing conditions, and a thriving golfing community.
“Dubai is, in my opinion, the best place to live in the world, with the weather, safety, golf, and so much more,” Detry says. “I bought an apartment here overlooking Emirates Golf Club and have been a resident for four years. The facilities here have allowed me to mature as a player and fuel my dreams.”
For Detry, living and training in the city has been pivotal in helping shape his journey to PGA Tour success.
“It’s such a unique place. One day you’re grinding on the range, the next you’re relaxing by the beach or having dinner at one of the world’s best restaurants,” says Detry, who was born in historic Lièg, a city famous for its sweet, caramelized waffles, which are a beloved Belgian treat.
But beyond the lifestyle, Dubai has also been instrumental in helping him connect with fellow players and key figures in the golf industry.
Turning professional in 2016, Detry steadily built his reputation on the European and Challenge Tours before earning his PGA Tour card in 2023. His path to success has been marked by perseverance, with highlights including:
Winning the Bridgestone Challenge in 2016 on the Challenge Tour, representing Belgium in the Eisenhower Trophy (2010, 2012, 2014) and winning the World Cup of Golf (2018) alongside Thomas Pieters and finishing tied 4th at the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club, one of his best performances in a Major.
Despite several close calls, a PGA Tour victory remained elusive, until last month’s month’s WM Phoenix Open, where Detry dominated the field to win by seven shots, nine years after turning professional.
“I really trusted myself. I felt like I’d been doing a lot of good things in the past to put myself in that position, and I felt like I was ready to win. Deep inside, this one – nobody was going to take it away from me,” Detry reflected after his landmark win.
With his Phoenix Open triumph, Detry has thrown himself into Ryder Cup contention. As a European player, he understands the intensity of playing in front of a passionate American crowd, particularly at the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.
“I feel like the atmosphere at Bethpage would be pretty similar to the one at Scottsdale, especially for me as a European. Lots of people shouting at me,” Detry said.
Having followed the Ryder Cup closely for years, he believes he has a real shot at making Team Europe, a dream he’s chased since childhood.
Detry has watched his idols compete in the prestigious event and has envisioned himself playing under European captain Luke Donald.
“It’s the pinnacle of team golf. You’re not just playing for yourself; you’re playing for your teammates, your country, and the entire continent of Europe. I’d give anything to be part of it,” he says.
With the European team undergoing a generational shift, Detry could be one of the new faces carrying the legacy forward. His combination of skill, mental toughness, and composure under pressure makes him an ideal candidate for the biennial showdown at Bethpage Black.
If Detry continues his strong form throughout the season, he could secure one of the coveted automatic qualification spots or receive a captain’s pick.
Although the Belgian is fully committed to the PGA Tour, Dubai remains his true home.
“I like to tell people I base myself in Dubai – not England or the US,” he says. “We would love to spend more time here, we both love it, but with my PGA Tour commitments, it’s not easy.”
His training base in the Emirate includes The Els Club and JA The Resort, where he regularly works on his game with top coaches Jerome Theunis, Michel Vanmeerbeeck, Fabien Lefaucheux and Richard Vanmeerbeeck. He also tees it up with fellow pros and amateurs in the city’s thriving golf scene.
As he embarks on the next phase of his career, Detry remains grounded. “Golf teaches you to stay humble, and I am proud to have improved every year of my career. The statistics say that,” he says.
With his first PGA Tour victory secured, Detry is setting his sights on greater heights: competing in more Major Championships and solidifying his place among the world’s best golfers. Ranked 23rd in the Official World Golf Rankings, he appears well on his way.
As he continues to grow on the Tour, one thing is certain: Thomas Detry is just getting started. His journey from Belgium to Dubai to PGA Tour stardom is a testament to hard work, persistence, and the ability to seize opportunities when they arise.
Fellow Belgian and fellow UAE resident as well as an Ambassador of The Brain & Performance centre, Colsaerts commented on his win, ‘Congratulations to Detry. It is some performance to win on the PGA Tour. We always know he had the talent, but to win in such style and by such a distance is quite remarkable.’
‘Let’s see how he reacts to this win, it will surely give him confidence to keep going,’ said Colsaerts.
