Phoenix Open

The Phoenix Open (known as the Waste Management Phoenix Open for title sponsorship reasons)[1] is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour, held in late January/early February at the Tournament Players Club (TPC) of Scottsdale, Arizona.

Phoenix Open
Tournament information
LocationScottsdale, Arizona
Established1932, 88 years ago
Course(s)TPC Scottsdale
Par71
Length7,266 yards (6,644 m)
Organized byThe Thunderbirds
Tour(s)PGA Tour
FormatStroke play
Prize fund$7.3 million
Month playedFebruary
Tournament record score
Aggregate256 Mark Calcavecchia (2001)
256 Phil Mickelson (2013)
To par−28 Mark Calcavecchia (2001)
−28 Phil Mickelson (2013)
Current champion
Webb Simpson
Scottsdale
Location in the United States
Scottsdale
Location in Arizona

The tournament was originally the Arizona Open, but was known for most of its history as the Phoenix Open until the investment bank Friedman Billings Ramsey became the title sponsor in October 2003, and it was known as the FBR Open for the next six editions. Waste Management began its sponsorship in 2010.

The event's relaxed atmosphere, raucous by the standards of professional golf, has earned it the nickname “The Greatest Show on Grass” and made it one of the most popular events on the PGA Tour calendar.

History

The Phoenix Open began 88 years ago in 1932 but was discontinued after the 1935 tournament. The rebirth of the Phoenix Open came in 1939 when Bob Goldwater, Sr. convinced fellow Thunderbirds to help run the event. The Thunderbirds, a prominent civic organization in Phoenix, were not as enthusiastic about running the event as he was, leaving Goldwater, Sr. to do most of the work in getting a golf open started.

The event was played at the Phoenix Country Club in Phoenix (33.482°N 112.063°W / 33.482; -112.063),[2] both in its earlier incarnations and after Goldwater resuscitated it. Beginning in 1955, the Arizona Country Club (also in Phoenix) (33.485°N 111.959°W / 33.485; -111.959),[3] alternated as event host with Phoenix Country Club; this arrangement lasted until Phoenix Country Club took The Arizona Country Club's turn in 1975 and became the event's permanent home again.

The tournament moved 33 years ago in 1987 to its current home, the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale, northeast of downtown Phoenix. The approximate average elevation of the course is 1,530 feet (465 m) above sea level.

Popularity

The four-day attendance of the tournament is usually around a half million, the best-attended event in golf. In 2016, it set a PGA Tour and Phoenix Open single day attendance record with 201,003 fans in attendance on Saturday, February 6 and set a tournament week attendance record of 618,365 fans.[4]

The most popular location for spectators is the par-3 16th hole, nicknamed "The Coliseum." (33.6375°N 111.9132°W / 33.6375; -111.9132) One of the shortest holes on tour at 162 yards (148 m), it is enclosed by a temporary 20,000-seat grandstand. The hole could be described as "one big party," with many students from the nearby Arizona State University in Tempe in attendance. Poor shots at the 16th hole receive boos, because the hole is very easy by the PGA's standards. Good shots, however, are cheered loudly. Famous moments include Tiger Woods' Saturday hole-in-one in 1997, which caused the gallery to erupt, throwing cups and other objects in celebration,[5] and Justin Leonard giving the finger to the gallery after a poor shot. Jarrod Lyle aced the hole on Saturday in 2011, causing the stands to erupt in excitement. After 2013, the PGA Tour banned the practice of caddies racing the 150 yards (140 m) from the tee box to the green, citing injury concerns.[6]

The most popular tour player at the Phoenix Open is unquestionably Phil Mickelson, an Arizona State alumnus (1992) with three victories at the event. In addition to the golf, there is a concert/party held in the Scottsdale area called the Birds Nest, at which music artists like Huey Lewis and the News play.

The Thunderbirds are still highly active in the organization of the tournament. Portions of the proceeds are used by the Thunderbirds to fund Special Olympics activities in Phoenix.

Conflicts with the Super Bowl

Since 1973,[7] the Phoenix Open has been played on the weekend of the Super Bowl. In 1996, it was played Wednesday through Saturday, as Super Bowl XXX was held at Sun Devil Stadium in nearby Tempe.[8] In 2009, the tournament overlapped with Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Florida, when Kenny Perry and Charley Hoffman went to a playoff. That denied the spectators a chance to watch the beginning of the game on NBC, which featured the local Arizona Cardinals.

Because of the Super Bowl weekend status, the PGA Tour's television contracts with CBS and NBC include an alternating tournament. Usually a CBS tournament, the Phoenix Open airs on NBC when CBS has the Super Bowl, and NBC's Honda Classic airs on CBS in Winter Olympic years.

Records – scoring and victories
The 17th hole during the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The tournament's lowest 72-hole score was set by Mark Calcavecchia in 2001 with 256 (–28), which was matched by Mickelson in 2013. In the second round Calcavecchia scored a 60 (–11), which equalled the lowest score at the Phoenix Open (by Grant Waite in 1996) and subsequently matched by Mickelson in 2005 and 2013. Calcavecchia had 32 birdies in the tournament, which was also an all-time record.

There have been only two double eagles in the history of the Phoenix Open. Tom Pernice, Jr. made the first one on the 558-yard (510 m) par-5 15th hole in 1990. Andrew Magee scored the second on the 332-yard (304 m) par-4 17th hole in 2001, and was the first-ever ace on a par-4 in PGA Tour history.[9]

Four men have won three times at the Phoenix Open: Arnold Palmer won consecutively (1961, 1962, 1963),[10][11] then Gene Littler (1955, 1959, 1969), Calcavecchia (1989, 1992, 2001), and Mickelson (1996, 2005, 2013).

Winners
YearPlayerCountryScoreTo parMargin
of victory		Runner(s)-upWinner's
share ($)		Purse ($)
Waste Management Phoenix Open
2020Webb Simpson United States267−17Playoff Tony Finau1,314,0007,300,000
2019Rickie Fowler United States267−172 strokes Branden Grace 1,278,0007,100,000
2018Gary Woodland United States266−18Playoff Chez Reavie1,242,0006,900,000
2017Hideki Matsuyama (2) Japan267−17Playoff Webb Simpson1,206,0006,700,000
2016Hideki Matsuyama Japan270−14Playoff Rickie Fowler1,170,0006,500,000
2015Brooks Koepka United States269−151 stroke Hideki Matsuyama
Ryan Palmer
Bubba Watson		1,134,0006,300,000
2014Kevin Stadler United States268−161 stroke Graham DeLaet
Bubba Watson		1,116,0006,200,000
2013Phil Mickelson (3) United States256−284 strokes Brandt Snedeker1,116,0006,200,000
2012Kyle Stanley United States269−151 stroke Ben Crane1,098,0006,100,000
2011Mark Wilson United States266−18Playoff Jason Dufner1,098,0006,100,000
2010Hunter Mahan United States268−161 stroke Rickie Fowler1,080,0006,000,000
FBR Open
2009Kenny Perry United States270−14Playoff Charley Hoffman1,080,0006,000,000
2008J. B. Holmes (2) United States270−14Playoff Phil Mickelson1,080,0006,000,000
2007Aaron Baddeley Australia263−211 stroke John Rollins1,080,0006,000,000
2006J. B. Holmes United States263−217 strokes J. J. Henry
Steve Lowery
Ryan Palmer
Scott Verplank
Camilo Villegas		936,0005,200,000
2005Phil Mickelson (2) United States267−175 strokes Scott McCarron
Kevin Na		936,0005,200,000
2004Jonathan Kaye United States266−182 strokes Chris DiMarco936,0005,200,000
Phoenix Open
2003Vijay Singh (2) Fiji261−233 strokes John Huston720,0004,000,000
2002Chris DiMarco United States267−171 stroke Kenny Perry
Kaname Yokoo		720,0004,000,000
2001Mark Calcavecchia (3) United States256−288 strokes Rocco Mediate720,0004,000,000
2000Tom Lehman United States270−141 stroke Robert Allenby
Rocco Mediate		576,0003,200,000
1999Rocco Mediate United States273−112 strokes Justin Leonard540,0003,000,000
1998Jesper Parnevik Sweden269−153 strokes Tommy Armour III
Brent Geiberger
Steve Pate
Tom Watson		450,0002,500,000
1997Steve Jones United States258−2611 strokes Jesper Parnevik270,0001,500,000
1996Phil Mickelson United States269−15Playoff Justin Leonard234,0001,300,000
1995Vijay Singh Fiji269−15Playoff Billy Mayfair234,0001,300,000
1994Bill Glasson United States268−163 strokes Bob Estes216,0001,200,000
1993Lee Janzen United States273−112 strokes Andrew Magee180,0001,000,000
1992Mark Calcavecchia (2) United States264−205 strokes Duffy Waldorf180,0001,000,000
1991Nolan Henke United States268−161 stroke Gil Morgan
Curtis Strange
Tom Watson		180,0001,000,000
1990Tommy Armour III United States267−175 strokes Jim Thorpe162,000900,000
1989Mark Calcavecchia United States263−217 strokes Chip Beck126,000700,000
1988Sandy Lyle Scotland269−15Playoff Fred Couples117,000650,000
1987Paul Azinger United States268−161 stroke Hal Sutton108,000600,000
1986Hal Sutton United States267−172 strokes Calvin Peete
Tony Sills		90,000500,000
1985Calvin Peete United States270−142 strokes Morris Hatalsky
Doug Tewell		81,000450,000
1984Tom Purtzer United States268−161 stroke Corey Pavin72,000400,000
1983Bob Gilder (2) United States271−13Playoff Rex Caldwell
Johnny Miller
Mark O'Meara		63,000350,000
1982Lanny Wadkins United States263−216 strokes Jerry Pate54,000300,000
1981David Graham Australia268−161 stroke Lon Hinkle54,000300,000
1980Jeff Mitchell United States272−124 strokes Rik Massengale54,000300,000
1979Ben Crenshaw United States199*−141 stroke Jay Haas33,750250,000
1978Miller Barber United States272−121 stroke Jerry Pate
Lee Trevino		40,000200,000
1977Jerry Pate United States277−7Playoff Dave Stockton40,000200,000
1976Bob Gilder United States268−162 strokes Roger Maltbie40,000200,000
1975Johnny Miller (2) United States260−2414 strokes Jerry Heard30,000150,000
1974Johnny Miller United States271−131 stroke Lanny Wadkins30,000150,000
1973Bruce Crampton Australia268−121 stroke Steve Melnyk
Lanny Wadkins		30,000150,000
1972Homero Blancas United States273−11Playoff Lanny Wadkins25,000125,000
Phoenix Open Invitational
1971Miller Barber United States261−232 strokes Billy Casper
Dan Sikes		25,000125,000
1970Dale Douglass United States271−131 stroke Howie Johnson
Gene Littler		20,000100,000
1969Gene Littler (3) United States263−212 strokes Miller Barber
Don January
Billy Maxwell		20,000100,000
1968George Knudson Canada272−123 strokes Julius Boros
Sam Carmichael
Jack Montgomery		20,000100,000
1967Julius Boros United States272−121 stroke Ken Still14,00070,000
1966Dudley Wysong United States278−61 stroke Gardner Dickinson9,00060,000
1965Rod Funseth United States274−143 strokes Bert Yancey10,50065,000
1964Jack Nicklaus United States271−133 strokes Bob Brue7,50050,000
1963Arnold Palmer (3) United States273−151 stroke Gary Player5,30035,000
1962Arnold Palmer (2) United States269−1512 strokes Billy Casper
Don Fairfield
Bob McCallister
Jack Nicklaus		5,30035,000
1961Arnold Palmer United States270−10Playoff Doug Sanders4,30030,000
1960Jack Fleck United States273−11Playoff Bill Collins3,15022,500
1959Gene Littler (2) United States268−121 stroke Art Wall, Jr.2,40020,000
1958Ken Venturi United States274−101 stroke Walter Burkemo
Jay Hebert		2,00015,000
1957Billy Casper United States271−93 strokes Cary Middlecoff
Mike Souchak		2,00015,000
Phoenix Open
1956Cary Middlecoff United States276−83 strokes Mike Souchak2,40015,000
1955Gene Littler United States275−51 stroke Billy Maxwell
Johnny Palmer		2,40015,000
1954Ed Furgol United States272−12Playoff Cary Middlecoff2,00010,000
1953Lloyd Mangrum (2) United States272−126 strokes Johnny Bulla
Ted Kroll
Bo Wininger		2,00010,000
1952Lloyd Mangrum United States274−105 strokes Dutch Harrison2,00010,000
1951Lew Worsham United States272−121 stroke Lawson Little2,00010,000
Ben Hogan Open
1950Jimmy Demaret (2) United States269−151 stroke Sam Snead2,00010,000
Phoenix Open
1949Jimmy Demaret United States278−6Playoff Ben Hogan2,00010,000
1948Bobby Locke South Africa268−161 stroke Jimmy Demaret2,00010,000
1947Ben Hogan (2) United States270−147 strokes Lloyd Mangrum
Ed Oliver		2,00010,000
1946Ben Hogan United States273−11Playoff Herman Keiser1,5007,500
1945Byron Nelson (2) United States274−102 strokes Denny Shute1,0005,000
1944Jug McSpaden United States273−11Playoff Byron Nelson1,0005,000
1941–43: No tournament (hosted Western Open in 1941 and 1942)
1940Ed Oliver United States205^−81 stroke Ben Hogan7003,000
1939Byron Nelson United States198^−1512 strokes Ben Hogan7003,000
1936–38: No tournament
1935Ky Laffoon United States281−34 strokes Craig Wood5002,500
1934No tournament
Arizona Open
1933Harry Cooper United States281−32 strokes Ray Mangrum
Horton Smith		4001,500
1932Ralph Guldahl United States285−15 strokes John Perelli6002,500

*Rain-shortened to 54 holes
^Scheduled 54 holes
Note: Green highlight indicates scoring records.
Sources[12][13][14]

Multiple winners

Fourteen men have won this tournament more than once.

References
  1. "Waste Management to sponsor Phoenix Open". PGA Tour. December 9, 2009. Retrieved March 13, 2013.
  2. "Golf". Phoenix Country Club. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  3. "Golf". Arizona Country Club. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  4. "Waste Management Phoenix Open attendance records". AZ Central. February 7, 2016.
  5. "Jones maintains Phoenix lead; Woods records ace on No. 16". Victoria Advocate. (Texas). January 26, 1997. p. 6B.
  6. http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golftalkcentral/tour-bans-caddie-races-tpc-scottsdale-colonial/
  7. "Crampton's birdie nets Phoenix win". Wilmington Morning Star. (North Carolina). Associated Press. January 15, 1973. p. 16.
  8. "Mickelson grinds out another win". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. January 28, 1996. p. 3F.
  9. Kelley, Brent. "The Amazing Story of the Only Par-4 Hole-in-One in PGA Tour History". thoughtco.com. Retrieved October 4, 2017.
  10. "Bee 'helps' Palmer win Phoenix Open". Pittsburgh Press. UPI. February 13, 1963. p. 50.
  11. "Palmer wins Phoenix Open". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). Associated Press. February 13, 1963. p. 1C.
  12. 2015 Waste Management Phoenix Open Media Guide – Section 14: Top Finishers 1932–2014 – at wmphoenixopen.com
  13. Phoenix Open – Winners Archived 2014-06-01 at the Wayback Machine – at www.pgatour.com
  14. Phoenix Open – Winners – at golfobserver.com
  15. "Hogan wins Phoenix Open; trouble looms". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). United Press. January 27, 1947. p. 5.
  16. "Ben Hogan wins Phoenix tourney". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. January 27, 1947. p. 13.
  17. "Demaret winner of Phoenix golf". Spokane Daily Chronicle. (Washington). Associated Press. January 30, 1950. p. 11.
  18. "Miller shoots 64 for 14-shot edge". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. January 13, 1975. p. 13.
  19. "Miller maybe world's best". Deseret News. (Salt Lake City, Utah). UPI. January 13, 1975. p. 8B.

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