Thomas Detry was a stalwart on some of coach Mike Small’s powerhouse teams at the University of Illinois, but he was in a more interesting position as a touring pro over the weekend.
Detry figured to be defending championship in the Waste Management Phoenix Open, one of the most popular PGA Tour events, until he made the decision to give up a full time PGA Tour card to play on the lucrative Saudi-based LIV Tour.
In that capacity Detry made his LIV debut in that circuit’s first tournament of 2026, in Riyadh, Saudia Arabia. It wasn’t just the money that led to Detry switching circuits. He likes team golf. LIV has it, the PGA Tour doesn’t. He also got drafted by a good team.
Dustin Johnson, captain of the 4Aces, made Detry his top draft choice. The 4Aces also had Thomas Pieters on its four-man roster and Johnson’s caddie and Detry’s bag-toter knew each other.
“I’ve known Thomas since we were 8 or 9 years old,’’ said Detry. Both grew up in Belgium and played collegiately at Illinois.
“Thomas and I grew up playing golf together,’’ said Detry. “We hadn’t really seen each other the last four-five years so it was nice to finally be back together.’’
The fourth member of the team was supposed to be Patrick Reed, and Detry made friends with him immediately.
“I congratulated him after he won at Dubai (a recent European Tour event),’’ said Detry. “I practiced with him and had lunch with him last week. Then I got the news on social media that he had moved on. It was a shock.’’
Reed, who bolted the PGA Tour to join LIV for its first season in 2022, decided to follow another LIV original — Brooks Koepka — back to the more established circuit and he followed up his win at Dubai by capturing last week’s Qatar Masters as well. Definitely a hot player, but Detry was still happy with his switch after Miguel Tabuena, of the Philippines, replaced Reed in Saudi Arabia.
“I always loved the team atmosphere,’’ said Detry. “When I played in college I was always playing for something more than myself. Playing with DJ and good friend Thomas was a dream start on a new job.’’
Detry, now 33, played at Illinois from 2012-16 and was the Big Ten medalist as a senior. He turned pro in 2016 and was ranked No. 22 in the Official World Golf Rankings a year ago. He also got off to a fast start as a LIV player, gaining a share of the first-round lead in the circuit’s first-ever 72-hole tournament after posting a 65 in Saudia Arabia. He wound up in seventh place, which earned him a $2.2 million paycheck, and the 4Aces finished third in the team competition. That meant the foursome will divide another $900,000.
Australian Elvis Smylie, also making his LIV debut, was the champion in Saudi Arabia, earning $4 million, and Chris Gotterup replaced Detry as the reigning champion in the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He beat Hideki Matsuyama in a Sunday playoff to pocket a $1,656,000 paycheck.
“I enjoyed the week,’’ said Detry. “I’ve got a team surrounding me and supporting me now. It was a different environment than what I’d been used to. I didn’t really know what to expect, or how I’d react to the music playing. It didn’t bother me at all.’’
Adjustment is no problem for Detry. He speaks four languages – Dutch, French, Spanish and English – and will use everyone as he splits time with LIV and the European Tour this season.