This week’s Phoenix Open has provided some very, very memorable moments — some famous and one, infamous — as in the beer can bombardment at the 16th — but more on that later.
In the late 90s, it was Tiger Woods who provided two of the most memorable moments.
In 1997, a roar let out from the 16th hole that might have been heard in downtown Phoenix. Of course it was a hole-in-one but no ordinary ace. And the maker of the ace was none other than Tiger Woods.
That hole-in-one by Tiger came before grandstands surrounded the 16th at TPC Scottsdale. Tiger gave one of his biggest fist-pumps and of course, beer cups were thrown, but more on that later.
Another really cool Tiger moment came in 1999 when a 300-pound plus rock became a “loose impediment” after Tiger’s tee shot landed behind it. Tiger had no problem finding the manpower to roll the rock out of his way as the rules official on site gave the okay.
Dancing Gangnam Style:
James Hahn provided one of the events most entertaining moments in 2013.
Hahn holed a lengthy birdie putt at the 16th green and, suddenly possessed, reenacted a “Gangnam Style” dance as the crowd roared. Gangnam Style came from a pop video by Psy, a South Korean rapper. The moves by Hahn, an American who was born in South Korea, went viral. Hahn is still remembered for that dance.
Gary And Amy:
During the Wednesday’s practice round in 2019, Gary Woodland was joined on the 16th tee by Amy Bockerstette, a junior college golfer with Down syndrome. Bockerstette hit her tee shot into the greenside bunker and marveled at the thousands of fans cheering her name as she walked to the green. She wanted to finish the hole, splashed a bunker shot out to about eight feet, and, when Woodland asked whether she needed help reading the putt, replied, “I got this.” Bockerstette rolled in the putt, the crowd absolutely roared, and Woodland had trouble fighting back tears. It was a viral, inspiring moment. Amy eventually started her own charity — “I Got This” foundation.
Hole-In-One At 17:
It is believed to be the only hole-in-one on a par four in PGA Tour history. It came at the 2001 Phoenix Open. Andrew Magee didn’t think he could reach the green at the 332-yard hole, so he went ahead and hit while the group ahead was still putting. His ball ran onto the green, caromed off Tom Byrum’s putter—after it just missed hitting Steve Pate—and went into the cup.
The Desert Fox — Johnny Miller:
This is going way back in the old time machine. Johnny Miller shot an incredible 24-under par at the old Phoenix Country Club, including a second round 61 and a final round 64. He beat Jerry Heard by 14 shots! The week-after, he shot 25-under and won the Tucson Open.
The Beer Can Barrage Of 2022:
Last year Sam Ryder scored a Saturday ace at the 16th and it was crazy but not like the Sunday ace by Carlos Ortiz.
The fans in the grandstands got a bit out of control and bombarded the tee with beer cans, some nearly full, creating a dangerous situation.
After that, the PGA Tour was looking at potentially using nets along the grandstands and plastic cups instead of cans.
Official comment from the Tour: “We will be working with The Thunderbirds and the tournament team to further ensure the safety and well-being of everyone involved with the WM Phoenix Open while continuing to celebrate the many aspects that make it unique and special for our fans.”
Which bring us to this year’s 2023 WM Phoenix Open.
Phoenix is the center of the sports universe with the Super Bowl being played on Sunday evening. The tournament tee times are earlier so that play will finish a half-hour before kickoff.
Once again it will be a huge crowd, maybe the biggest considering this is now one of the $20 million Designated Events with all the name stars required to tee it up.
Should be a great week and check at 16 to see if there’s a solution to the bombardment.
Phoenix Open Thursday-Friday Tee Times/Groups: