WM Phoenix Open: What to know when the annual golf tournament returns to 2025

Scottsdale, Ariz. And For a number of golfans and music fans in the Phoenix area, the start of the year also means a chance to see their favorite stars in action as part of the WM Phoenix Open.

The open, which is a golf tournament on the PGA Tour, is considered by some as the start of the golf season.

Here’s what to know about the annual event, its history and what’s new for 2025.

When did we start having WM Phoenix open?

Big Picture View:

Per. Golf tournament WebsiteThe event, which we now know as the “WM Phoenix Open”, went by many different names over the years, including:

• Waste management Phoenix open
• Western Open
• Arizona opens
• Ben Hogan Invitational
• Phoenix is ​​open
• FBR OPEN

Timeline:

The event per Website had a first race from 1932 to 1935.

Tall released by tournament officials shows that the scrotum or the total amount offered as prizes for the tournament was $ 2,500 for the 1932 edition. Calculation from Bureau of Labor Statistics’ CPI -Inflation Calculator Show that it would equal about $ 55,175 in December 2024.

The initial tournament ended according to the tournament’s website in 1935 due to a lack of local support, but it made a comeback in 1939 and has been ever since.

According to the tournament’s site, the event took place on either Phoenix Country Club or Arizona Country Clubdepending on the year until 1987. That year the event took place at TPC ScottsdaleWhere it has been ever since.

Why is it called an ‘open’?

An article from 2021 published by the magazine Golf monthly Describes the origin of the term “open” as it is used in names for golf tournaments such as the WM Phoenix Open.

According to the article, the term is often used across a number of tournaments, and the meaning is self -explanatory, as the event is “open” for all golfers as opposed to events that have restrictions.

Despite the “open” moniker, the article notes that most openers have minimum requirements that players must meet, or qualify events that they will have to attend before the open.

For the WM Phoenix Open, a competition was held for three qualifying places outdoors.

How many people attend each year?

Officials say the open no longer detects daily or weekly participation statistics.

However, Historical figures Can still give a look at how much the tournament has grown over the years.

By the numbers:

Figures provided by the organizers show that in 2018, the last years were statistics, 719,179 people participated in the tournament.

It can be compared to a total of 257,000 in 1987, the first year when open was played at TPC Scottsdale.

What else is WM Phoenix open to?

In addition to golf, the WM Phoenix Open is also known for its entertainment options.

One of the best known venues at the golf tournament site is perhaps the bird’s nest. The open Website Describes the bird’s nest as a 21-and-over event that contains music and parties.

In 2025, the bird’s nesting performances from February 5 to February 8. The artists are:

• 5. February – Jelly Roll, with special guest practitioner Oak Revival
• 6th February – Luke Bryan, with special guest Nate Smith
• 7th February – Nickelback with special guest Josh Ross
• 8th February – Tiësto with special guest Gordo

Former artists in Bird’s Nest, according to officials, include chainsmokers in 2019 and 2023, Snoop Dogg in 2019, Dierks Bentley in 2020 and machine gun Kelly in 2023.

In recent years, Open has also been known for its commitment to environmental issues. Per. A declaration By 2024, water protection measures were adopted in addition to a program of recycling, composting, donation, recycling and fuel creation that does not result in any remaining by -product derived from the event.

Are there problems associated with WM Phoenix open?

In recent years we have covered a number of events that happened at the WM Phoenix Open.

Dig deeper:

In 2018 we reported on A streaking incident in the outdoors. The person involved identified as Adam Stalmach allegedly striped across the field at the 17th hole.

Stalmach told us after the incident that he made a drunken decision at the last minute of the case and that he does not regret it.

“I blame it on the alcohol,” Stalmach said at the time. “I’m sorry for that? No. Would I do it again? No.”

By 2023 there was Another striping incident By the free when a man named Sean Patrick McConnell reportedly jumped from the general recording bleachers on the WM Phoenix Open’s 16th hole and went on the field. From there he ran through a player access tunnel to the 17th hole.

McConnell could be seen on the camera that ran half naked on the grass, with the words “19th hole” written on the back. Police said McConnell, who also went by the name ‘Mac Savage’, was never naked during the incident.

“When I ran, everyone just got it crazy right away, so the feeling of the whole audience just cheering on you, it’s so exciting,” said McConnell, in An interview he did with us after the incident.

He was charged with violation, disorderly behavior and non -compliance with a legal order from law enforcement.

2024’s edition of Open also had its share of problems. According to our report at the timeAccess to Open had to be paused for some time one day because of what the Scottsdale police considered “bigger than usual crowds”, which resulted in fans who went to social media to send out their complaints.

Are there any changes in 2025?

At the end of October 2024, Open’s organizers detailed a number of changes they implemented for the 2025’s Open. They include:

• Another tournament entrance located near Greenway Hayden Loop and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard
• A number of extended walkways around the track
• An all-digital general admission ticket platform
• A redesigned fairway -house at the 12th hole
• Improvements at the desert Oasis BBQ and Beer Garden

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