The WM Phoenix Open might be considered just as much a party as it is a golf tournament. Known as "The People's Open," the event never sells itself short when it comes to fan experience.
Fans waited in an extremely long line to be a part of the Hole 16 experience where they could watch the golfers tee off surrounded by a packed stadium. They sat on the hillside relaxing by Hole 18. They even brought their costumes. For a golf event, the environment is unique, to say the least.
Granted, it seems the majority of fans on Friday sported standard hats, striped dri-fit polo shirts and khaki shorts. However, sprinkled throughout the crowd were those who embraced the special experience a little differently.
This year, groups dressed head to toe as hot dogs, a fan sweat through his banana suit and another wore a Nacho Libre costume as fans descended on TPC Scottsdale's picturesque course.
"I joined a fantasy football league with some of my college friends ... the loser of the league had to wear the outfit that the group decided to Waste Management and they decided on Nacho Libre, and here I am," attendee Conor Wright said. "I feel like Hole 16 just gives off the energy that you can have more fun here."
Showing up dressed in a manner not fit for golf is the WM Phoenix Open experience. While the fans enjoyed golf's biggest spectacle, the tournament also created a one-of-a-kind environment for golfers.
"It's definitely very unique," said Scottie Scheffler, the current No. 1 ranked golfer in the world who won the tournament in 2022 and 2023. "The crowd is a bit more a factor this week than it is other weeks. Especially when you get to some of the holes where there's a lot of people."
Scheffler described a moment on Hole 6 during the first round where Max Homa, a golfer in Scheffler's group, putt and a fan continuously yelled to tell him how to read the green.
In these situations, Scheffler said golfers must decide to either trust the loud fan and hope they've been watching the putting green all day or block them out.
Among the rowdy crowd, the typical golf clap turned into a golf roar. Spectators could tell someone made a great shot when the booming wave of shouts emerged on opposing fairways.
The tournament didn't cater to one crowd or another. Kids asked for autographs, university students came for the outdoor party and some whose golfing experience didn't go past miniature enjoyed the week of excitement together.
"You go for a good time; it’s a lot more relaxed than other golf tournaments," said ASU student Danny Hogie. "You go to the 16th Hole (and) everyone is just having a good time. It's like going to a football game, it's not like a golf event. It is a golf event but that's not the vibe of it."
Edited by Jack Barron, Sophia Braccio and Katrina Michalak.
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Henry is a junior studying journalism and mass communication. This is his third semester with The State Press. He has also worked as a sports reporter.
