• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 13, 2025

WM Phoenix Open Looks to Tame the Party After 2024 Chaos

In 2024, the WM Phoenix Open got even rowdier than it normally does. Fans at the wild PGA Tour event got out of hand, and now organizers have made changes.

Arizona Republic

The PGA Tour’s rowdiest event is trying to tame things down this week.

After major issues around crowd control and fan behavior in 2024, the WM Phoenix Open, which began Thursday, has new precautions and policies in place to prevent further problems.

Headlined by the 17,000-seat stadium surrounding TPC Scottsdale’s 16th hole (a short par-3) and annually played on the same weekend as the Super Bowl, “The People’s Open” (as it’s nicknamed) attracts the largest, and wildest, crowds in golf—so much so that the tournament stopped releasing attendance numbers in 2019. In 2018, more than 700,000 fans turned out to the event.

The energy that the 16th hole Coliseum creates buzzes throughout the entire course, which is filled with booze-driven bachelor and bachelorette parties and tens of thousands of fans who likely wouldn’t attend a more traditional golf tournament.

Last year, things got out of hand.

The weather was unusually cold for Arizona in February and several days of rain created muddy and soggy conditions at TPC Scottsdale. On Saturday, play was suspended during the third round, and fans let loose.

Videos of drunk fans turning hills into mudslides and stumbling throughout the grounds percolated social media. Arrests skyrocketed. At one point, the tournament had to close entry at one gate and suspend alcohol sales.

All in all, despite the Phoenix Open’s nontraditional flair, it was a bad look for everyone involved.

This year, organizers have added a new fan entrance, expanded spectator sidewalks inside the course, and relocated many food and alcohol vendors. Tickets have also gone 100% digital, replacing physical general-admission tickets and good-any-day tickets.

Despite the changes, more than 200,000 fans will still be expected to show up on Saturday alone, hoping to catch a glimpse of No. 1–ranked Scottie Scheffler, who is the main draw at the tournament offering $9.2 million in prize money.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tiger Woods of Jupiter Links GC sits during a break in their TGL golf match against Atlanta Drive GC at SoFi Center on March 4, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Latest Tiger Woods Surgery Bad News for TGL, PGA Tour Champions

Woods is recovering from his seventh back surgery in 11 years.
Jul 17, 2025; Portrush, IRL; Jason Day hits a shot on the 18th hole during the first round of The 153rd Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Portrush.

Flashy Golf Apparel Brand Malbon Notches $28 Million Raise

Jason Day famously wore the brand at the last two Masters Tournaments.

Amazon Adds Golf to Its Packed Black Friday Sports Lineup With NFL,..

On Nov. 28, The Skins Game will return for the first time since 2008.
[US, Mexico, & Canada customers only] Mar 16, 2025; Singapore, SINGAPORE; Joaquin Niemann in action during the final round of LIV Golf Singapore at Sentosa Golf Club.

LIV Golf Lost $461M in Non-U.S. Operations in 2024

Public financial filings were released this week in the U.K.

Featured Today

Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and Portland Trail Blazers logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center.

NBA Reopens Doors in China—and Eyes the WNBA Next

The Mavericks and Rockets are set to play games in Macao next year.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates a made shot as Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Copper (2) looks on during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025.
October 10, 2025

Aces Win WNBA Title, Starting Offseason of Uncertainty

The Aces won their third trophy in four years.
Sep 29, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) poses during media day at Intuit Dome
opinion
October 12, 2025

Clippers’ Aspiration Fiasco Recalls Another Doomed NBA Sponsorship

The Kawhi controversy has shades of the still-recent FTX scandal.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Athlos
October 10, 2025

Track Start-Up Athlos Makes ‘Millions’ but No Profit Yet

Alexis Ohanian called being profitable by the 2028 Olympics a “great goal.”
Cheryl Reeve
October 10, 2025

WNBA Officiating Task Force Still Taking Shape After Outcry

How refs are trained and instructed was a major issue this year.
Aug 3, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; NBA commissioner Adam Silver talks to International Basketball Federation board member Mark Tatum in the fourth quarter between the United States and Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
October 9, 2025

NBA Aims for Drama-Free Return to China After 6-Year Hiatus

The league looks to rebuild its presence in the populous country.
Bad Bunny performs on stage for his “Most Wanted Tour” at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, May 11, 2024.
October 9, 2025

Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA to Run Alternate Super Bowl Halftime Show

Group announces “The All-American Halftime Show” on Feb. 8.