PGA Tour Reveals Genius Way To Stop Beer Throwing At Phoenix Open

It is hoped the plan will be enough to persuade punters to hold onto their beer at TPC Scottsdale’s 16th green

Volunteers clear beer at the 16th at TPC Scottsdale
The crowd will be served beer in commemorative cups to help stop beer throwing at the 16th
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Mike Hall
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published

Last year’s WM Phoenix Open had several unforgettable moments, including two aces at TPC Scottsdale’s famous 16th hole.

However, while fans packed into ‘The Coliseum’ predictably erupted as first Sam Ryder and then Carlos Ortiz holed their tee shots, there was little disagreement that the celebrations went too far, as bottles and beer cans rained down on the green.

Things got even more out of hand in the final round, when Joel Dahmen and Harry Higgs went topless after Higgs made a ten-foot putt for par. Cue more wild celebrations - and more beverages finding their way onto the green.

While those moments were taken in the best spirits at the time, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan later described them as unacceptable and vowed to address the scenes. Now, it appears he has made good on his promise with a genius plan to ensure beer stays in the stands. The PGA Tour has announced that all alcoholic beverages on the 16th will be served in free, commemorative plastic cups.

There are other measures to ensure safety too, including a larger police presence and signage pointing out that throwing items on the course will not be tolerated. However, keeping hold of a souvenir cup – not to mention the beer it holds - may well just make the difference between fans celebrating loudly and causing a safety issue.

Of course, there are no guarantees at a hole celebrated as “the loudest in golf”, particularly with the tournament's elevated status, which means not only that the financial stakes are considerably higher this year, but that the field is packed with some of the world’s best players.

Still, the PGA Tour will be hoping that the novel measure, along with the other precautions, will ensure that, this year, there is at least somewhat more talk about the quality of the action than the antics of the crowd.

Mike Hall
Mike Hall
News Writer

Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories. 

He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game. 

Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course. 

Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.

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