Streakers, Stolen Clubs, Topless Pros And Beers Raining Down - 5 Wild Scenes From The Phoenix Open
Things have boiled over at the WM Phoenix Open several times in recent years – here are five of the most wild incidents
The WM Phoenix Open is one of the most popular events on the PGA Tour and frequently attracts some of the world best players.
The event also falls on the same weekend as the Super Bowl, adding to the sense of occasion, while the famous stadium hole at TPC Scottsdale provides a raucous atmosphere quite unlike anything else on the circuit.
However, sometimes the occasion leaves fans – and even players – getting caught up in the moment. Here are five wild moments from the WM Phoenix Open.
2018 – Streaker At The Pro-Am
The main event hadn’t even started in 2018 before things got out of control when a streaker appeared on the 17th at the pro-am. He proceeded to offer a unique entertainment routine for the disbelieving fans with a clumsy forward roll, a delicate chip onto the green with an imaginary club and fun in the bunker before finishing with some dubious breakdancing moves.
The exhibitionist paid a price, though - he spent a few nights in jail and received a fine. Despite that, he claimed to have no regrets and even set up a GoFundMe campaign to cover the cost of his penalty!
"After one too many drinks I rushed the 17th hole....Naked," he explained on the page. "My last words before running out were 'I just wanna give the crowd something to cheer about.'"
He got his wish. After finally giving himself up to the officials, his reward from the crowd was a standing ovation.
Get the top Black Friday deals right in your inbox: Sign up now!
The hottest deals and product recommendations during deals season straight to your inbox plus all the best game-changing tips, in-depth features and the latest news and insights around the game.
2019 - Archie Bradley Has Clubs Stolen
Another shocking incident at the pro-am came in 2019. Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley was one of the celebrities, and he performed well, too, finishing fourth at the contest.
However, things soon went awry when someone stole his clubs. Thankfully, they weren’t missing for long. That’s because they appeared the next day on sale at an online marketplace, with the photo showing his name clearly embroidered into the bag!
2022 – Beer Cans Rain Down Onto 16th Green
After the stadium hole was limited to a capacity of just 2,000 fans at the 2021 tournament because of Covid 19, it was as though the return to a full attendance at The Coliseum the year after was all the excuse fans needed to cut loose.
Several times over the course of the tournament, fans showered the 16th green with beer cans causing delays of up to 10 minutes. That rattled the PGA Tour who took measures to prevent similar scenes the year after, including the genius idea of serving beer in commemorative plastic cups.
2022 – Harry Higgs And Joel Dahman Go Topless
It wasn’t just unruly fans who made headlines for misbehaviour at the 2022 tournament. During the final round, Harry Higgs made a 10-foot par putt at the 16th, which wouldn’t normally be a reason for wild celebrations.
This was not a normal tournament, though. After the ball dropped into the hole, he and playing partner Joel Dahmen went topless and began waving their shirts around their heads, to the delight of the capacity crowd.
That decision had actually been on the cards ever since Higgs and Dahmen were grouped together. Before the round, Dahmen sent a tweet, saying: "Dreams do come true! If we get enough retweets @harryhiggs1991 will take his shirt off on 16 tomorrow!"
Later, Higgs admitted he had gone too far, saying: "I regretted it almost immediately."
2023 - Fan Runs Onto 16th Hole
The issues of keeping beer in the stands and the players fully clothed may have been addressed by the 2023 edition, but a familiar problem returned in the form of a fan invasion – this time during the main event and at the 16th!
Like the 2018 streaker, he treated the crowd to several antics, although this time they involved dancing round the flagstick before deftly sidestepping the oncoming authorities and belly flopping into the water by the green.
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.
-
DP World Tour Rookie Hit With Slow Play Penalty On First Pro Start
Jacob Skov Olesen was handed a one-shot penalty for slow play at the Australian PGA Championship in what was his very first start as a professional
By Paul Higham Published
-
Nelly Korda Claims LPGA Awards Double After Seven-Win Season
Nelly Korda was handed the two top prizes at the LPGA Awards after a seven-win season including her second Major
By Paul Higham Published
-
'My Identity Is Secure Forever' - Scottie Scheffler's Mindset Provides The Fuel To Secure A Second Green Jacket
Scheffler's second Masters win came with his first child due in a matter of weeks. His mindset off the course is clearly helping him do great things on it.
By Dan Parker Published
-
The Internet's Best Reactions To Tiger Woods Appearing To Shake Hands With A Tree
The perfect camera angle, the perfect meme. Here's the internet's best reactions to Tiger's unusual handshake
By Dan Parker Published
-
Why The Masters Gnome Has Proven To Be The Most Exclusive Purchase Of 2024
Selling out within an hour of the gift shop opening, the Masters garden gnome is a cult figure cult status
By Dan Parker Published
-
7 Takeaways From Tiger Woods' Masters Press Conference
Here are the 7 key points we gathered from Tiger's press conference ahead of the 2024 Masters
By Dan Parker Published
-
WATCH: Wyndham Clark Chunks Tee Shot Into Water On 17th While Sharing The Lead At Players Championship
The World No.5 made a hash of his tee shot on the 17th during the third round of The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass
By Mike Hall Published
-
10 Big Names To Miss The Players Championship Cut
The Players Championship has reached the halfway point, but some of the biggest names in the game won't be taking any further part at TPC Sawgrass
By Mike Hall Published
-
When ‘America’s Worst Avid Golfer’ Made A 66 On TPC Sawgrass 17th Hole
Angelo Spagnolo shot 66 on the 17th during a Golf Digest contest to find "America's Worst Avid Golfer" in 1985
By Mike Hall Published
-
It Just Became Much Less Stressful To Secure A Tee Time On The Old Course At St Andrews - Here's Why
The freshly-introduced digital system will replace the old method of queuing up in person in the hope of earning a tee time on the Old Course
By Jonny Leighfield Published