After jumping between lame country clubs, the Waste Management Phoenix Open changed venues to it’s current home TPC Scottsdale in 1987.
Since then, the event has become known as one of the funnest tour stops of the year. The biggest attraction, of course, being the 16th hole – also known as the ‘Stadium Hole.’
If there’s one thing that Arizonans love, it’s fellow Arizonans. This is why Phil Mickelson and other Arizona University alums paint our list throughout. There are a few other iconic moments to check out too though. Especially the ones that have nothing to do with golf. Yes, we’re talking about the caddies and the beer. Read ahead for some of the best moments in Waste Management Phoenix Open history.
Not too sure you want to check out the moments? A little more interested in the wagers? No problem at all. You can check out our year-round PGA Sportsbook here.
The 2013 Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and Baltimore Ravens shared a sponsor with Irish golfer Padraig Harrington. So to help build the hype for the big game the following day, Padraig took the pigskin to the 16th hole and gave the fans a little gift. He said he’d never kicked a football before this moment. Have to admit, for a guy that’s never booted a football, he’s not bad. He was definitely one of the highlights of the 2013 Open.
9. Waste Management Wasted Mud Sliding
Cops got in there a little too late. A few brave sliders got in there a little too early. It’s your classic mudslide story. A few rain drops fell at the 2015 Phoenix Open, which if you’ve been to Arizona, you know that’s a pretty rare thing. In any case, when precipitation, beer and mud combine – hilarity ensues.
8. Billy Mayfair’s Pat Tillman ASU Tribute
In a tribute to the late Pat Tillman, Billy Mayfair wears his jersey as a tribute to the not only the fallen soldier/Arizona Cardinal/ASU Sun Devil, but his own alma mater as well. Mayfair is an Arizona State graduate and a born and raised Arizonan out of Phoenix. The crowd lost their minds and Mayfair will be forever enshrined on our list for his efforts.
7. Jarrod Lyle’s Hole in One
Who? Yes, Jarrod Lyle, sinks this dart of an ace in 2011. Lyle has only won two majors in his career and both of those victories came back in 2008. He won the Mexican Open and the Knoxville Open in the prime of his career. He’s made late charges since then, but has never become a known name on the tour. On that magical day in Scottsdale though, he was a star.
6. Boo Etiquette
It’s very simple. Should your tee off shot on the 162-yard par-3 miss the green, you get booed. Doesn’t matter if you’re Tiger, Phil or Bubba. You miss. You get booed. Next lesson.
5. Beer Etiquette
Rule #2 – if you’re leaning over the railing in the top level of the sky boxes with your beer and someone in the crowd yells “Chug your beer!” …you chug your beer! Otherwise you get booed heavily. The lower level seating is General Admission, so for the folks up top that can afford the heftier price tag, they should be punished by not being able to enjoy their beer! Seeing how it’s usually over 100-degrees though, the ice cold booze isn’t usually the worst thing.
4. Caddy Races
For some reason, the PGA decided to ban the Caddy Races following the 2013 tournament. It’s one of the worst things the Association has ever done its history. In fact, you could say it put the Ass into Association. These caddy races were part of the lifeblood of the event. None the less, like a grade nine socials studies class, we can always look back and respect the history of where we came from.
3. Phil Mickelson – The Hometown Kid
He’s the Hometown Kid, raised in the Greater Phoenix Area, Mickelson played his amateur golf at Grayhawk in Scottsdale and is an alum of Arizona State University. He’s a three-time Waste Management winner in 2013, 2005 and 1996. He’s was also the runner-up in 2008. Basically, what we’re trying to say is, Phil can do no wrong in the desert.
2. Molinari Only Needs One
There is another Beer Etiquette rule that we missed. It’s after every hole-in-one, you must shower the golf course with beers. Francisco Molinari nailed this ace and down came the booze by the gallon. This tradition was no more prevalent than in 1997, when a young kid named Eldrick headed for the 16th tee.
1. Tiger Raises the Roof
Tiger Woods dug in, watched it fly and then floated on air. Woods easily has the most memorable Waste Management Phoenix Open moment and his memory of it seems to be crystal clear. Recalling the smell of beer and hearing all of the cans and cups crashing down behind him.
Not to say that it was the reason behind it, but he would later go on to win his first Masters major that same year in 1997. So in other words, his ace at the WMPO had everything to do with his Masters win. Miracles are born in Phoenix!
