PGA stars weigh into 2025 WM Phoenix open changes

On By Littum

Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP) – 2024 Phoenix Open was much like a house party where someone called the police.

A cocktail of bad weather and booze led to chaos at TPC Scottsdale a year ago, causing tournament officials to take the unprecedented step in closes the gates And – gasp! – Cutting of alcohol sales.

To prevent a repeated performance, organizers have implemented a number of changes to this year’s event to rule in the reveal – yes, as much as they can on the biggest bash on the PGA Tour.

“It’s a unique test because you not only fight against the golf course, but there can be a pretty hectic crowd out there,” said World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, a two-time winner at the Phoenix Open. “It’s something we don’t see so much throughout the year, but it’s really fun to come here and experience it.”

The Phoenix Open has long been the highest, rooted event in golf. Up to 200,000 fans show up to TPC Scottsdale every day, ready to party – and maybe see some golf.

“The Greatest Show on Grass” always twists on the edge of the Decorum and may have crossed the Debauchery line in last year’s third round. Heavy rain led to several delays and transformed non-playing areas of the course into a foggy mess as things became extra bully on a marathon on Saturday.

The tension at times cooked with Billy Horschel and Zach Johnson shouting to irregular fans. To slow down the swelling tide, tournament officials stopped letting fans in the afternoon because the course overcrowded, and they abolished alcohol sales in certain places.

The wild trip forced the tournament to make a few changes to this year’s tournament.

In addition to a stronger presence of law enforcement, a new entrance will relieve some of the muddy clogging that happened at the main gate last year. There will also no longer be any day tickets, so tournament officials can track sales and prevent overfilling. Several walkways have also been expanded in areas with high traffic.

“They’ve tightened things up, but you won’t take away from what the tournament is,” said Gary Woodland, 2018 Phoenix Open Champion. “This tournament is crazy and we want it to be a good madness.”

Nick Taylor has not only embraced the madness, he has played some of his best golf through it.

The 36-year-old Canadian ended up in second place to Scheffler in 2023 and thrived through the Stop-and-Start 2024 tournament and beat Charley Hoffman in the second hole in one playoff.

Taylor could not maintain the momentum and missed the cut in all four majors on the way to finish the 58. In the FedEx Cup position. He ended 36. And represented Team Canada at Paris -ol and did not make the Presidents Cup International Team.

Taylor reassessed his game in the short season and made a few minor changes in 2025.

The extra work paid off.

Taylor tiled in from 60 meters for eagle on the final hole at the Sony Open to tie Nico Echavarria and served his fifth career due to tour -se victory with a birdie on the second hole in an endgame. He ended 12. In Palm Springs and was 33. On Pebble Beach last week.

“I obviously have a lot of good Vibber coming back hit from the last two years,” said Taylor, who lives in the area and often practices at TPC Scottsdale. “I’ve played this golf course a bunch, so my game feels really good. (Not only) to win, but have a few weeks after that where I just play solid golf, I feel like I carry it in here and a lot of good vibes when I come back. “

The Phoenix Open has Vibber unlike any other stop on the PGA Tour. With a sunny weekend expected and some minor adjustments, it should return to being the good kind.