WM Phoenix Open Promises To Change After Chaotic 2024 Tournament
Nick Taylor won the 2024 WM Phoenix Open with a birdie-birdie-birdie finish Sunday, but his scintillating run could not overshadow the chaotic, Animal House atmosphere that has organizers promising changes to the event next year.
The tournament at the TPC Scottsdale bills itself as the “People’s Open,” and the people are known to speak, and speak forcefully, especially at the fully enclosed par-3 16th hole. Dubbed the Coliseum, the 163-yard 16th is surrounded by a tri-level grandstand that includes 298 suites and with general admission seating holds up to 20,000 fans.
The 16th is the loudest and most attended hole on the PGA Tour, but the cheering, heckling, beer-swilling and otherwise anti-golfness went too far this year, some in the field said.
The tournament was marred by inclement weather from the beginning. Rainfall measuring 1.14 inches fell during the week, according to the National Weather Service, which caused delays in every round and forced spectators away from traditional hillside seating areas.
Fan behavior also seemed more erratic than in previous years. A spectator was injured, reportedly not seriously, when she fell out of the grandstand at the 16th. Fans took turns sliding down a muddy hill during weather delays.
Two fans were filmed fighting with each other. A shirtless fan ran into a greenside bunker at the 16th and performed a snow angel. One fan was removed in a fireman’s carry because he was too inebriated to stand.
"We're very proud of what we've built,” Cozby said. “The players don’t like what happened on Saturday. Our fans don’t like what happened on Saturday. And so nothing is off the table.
“We’re going to look at our just general admission ticket exposure and how many are out in the marketplace. We’re going to look at our complete security plan and just how we operate.”
