WM Phoenix Open Organizers: Expect Changes to ‘Out of Control’ Tournament

The Waste Management Phoenix Open garnered its fair share of headlines on Super Bowl weekend, which is commendable.

But those headlines were over players getting into it with fans along with viral videos of the drunken exploits of members of the gallery instead of a thrilling playoff win by Nick Taylor.

Now let’s review today’s highlights from the Waste Management Phoenix Open… pic.twitter.com/WXlgs4KBTT

— Jimmy Orr (@JimmyOrr) February 11, 2024

The Thunderbirds, the name of the civic organization that hosts the tournament at TPC Scottsdale each year, said that changes will be made.

“I think that you will see a complete operational change of how we manage, really, our Friday and Saturday, but the entire week,” said Chance Cozby, executive director of the Thunderbirds.

“We’re very proud of what we’ve built. I think we’ve been tournament of the year on the PGA Tour five of the last seven years. But we don’t like what happened on Saturday. 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.”

While Cozby didn’t go into specifics on what changes could be made, the tournament directors made the call to cut off ticketed spectators from entering the grounds as well as halted alcohol sales on Saturday afternoon.

Recent rains in the area made for muddy conditions and cramped quarters for fans, as some paths and seating areas were inaccessible.

RAIN, RAIN, GO AWAY! ⛳️ This is what it looks like at TPC Scottsdale. Due to these heavy rain storms, parts of the WM Phoenix Open are being suspended or delayed. MORE: https://t.co/f3hiujWIXu pic.twitter.com/kFVoOdlkUT

— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) February 8, 2024

Interestingly, Cozby didn’t mention Sunday, which is when the likes of Jordan Spieth, Zach Johnson, and Billy Horschel each had exchanges with fans in the gallery. Other players voiced their displeasure on social media.

Shitshows. Totally out of control on everyhole https://t.co/GnPZdqAyHB

— Byeong Hun An (@ByeongHunAn) February 11, 2024

Speaking on SiriusXM Radio Tuesday, Horschel said it’s time that something is done to rein things in a bit.

“Has this tournament crossed the line? Yeah, I think the last couple of years it’s been a little much, and I think it’s just gotten a little bit out of control,” Horschel said

Zach Johnson isn’t a fan of the atmosphere at the WM Phoenix Open. (via @theo_mackie) pic.twitter.com/PDMb8mFTi4

— GOLF.com (@GOLF_com) February 12, 2024

“I’ve seen plenty of messages, or read a few messages on social media like ‘you know what you signed up for; you know if you can’t take the heat then don’t show up,’ and look this tournament was never about going there and getting ridiculed from the fans. That was never the idea of this event.”

We’ll see next year whether this was truly a turning point in the event or if things will return back to normal after the aftermath of this event moves off the news cycle.

Cover Image via X