Get ready for one of the wildest events in golf! The WM Phoenix Open 2025 is just around the corner, taking place from February 3-9 at the iconic 16th-hole Coliseum, TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course in Arizona. This electrifying event is more than just rowdy fans, a whopping $9.2 million purse, and heart-stopping birdies – it’s an experience like no other! As this year’s tournament takes shape, here are the 5 top most memorable moments from the history of the tournament.

1. Tiger Woods’s iconic ace at the 1997 edition

So, obviously, the first one has to be Tiger Woods’s incredible hole-in-one at the 16th hole of the WM Phoenix Open back in 1997. This shot is still talked about today, and for good reason. Woods, just 21 years old at the time, took dead aim with a 9-iron on the 152-yard hole and sunk the ball with two soft bounces. The crowd went absolutely wild, with beer flying everywhere, and Woods’s celebration – including a high-five with his caddie and a famous “raising the roof” gesture – is still iconic to this day.

This moment wasn’t just memorable because of the shot itself, but also because it marked a turning point in Woods’s career. He was already making waves in the golf world, having won three tournaments since turning pro just five months earlier. But this shot, and the subsequent “Tiger Mania” that followed, cemented his status as a superstar of the sport.

It’s a moment that still gives golf fans goosebumps to this day, and it’s the perfect starting point for our countdown of epic moments in golf.

2) First ever par-4 ace of PGA Tour made in 2001

January 25, 2001, marked a unique moment in PGA Tour history, as Andrew Magee achieved the incredible feat of scoring a hole-in-one on a par-4 hole. During the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Magee’s drive on the 332-yard 17th hole took an extraordinary bounce off Tom Byrum’s putter head, which was resting on the green, before rolling into the cup. Although no video footage existed of the ball going into the hole, Magee later described the shot on-air, and Byrum’s reaction to the ball caroming off his putter was captured on film. This remarkable shot remained the only par-4 hole-in-one in PGA Tour history, although similar feats were later achieved on other tours, including the Korn Ferry Tour, DP World Tour, and LPGA Tour.

3. The iconic caddie races

Another amazing moment was when the Waste Management Phoenix Open’s 16th hole became a spectacle, with caddie races, football kicks, and hole-in-ones sending the crowd into a frenzy. Who can forget the thrill of watching Padraig Harrington kick an American football into the stands, or Francesco Molinari’s ace on the par-3 16th hole? These unique events, which showcased the interaction between fans and players, made the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale a standout in professional golf. While the PGA Tour has since imposed restrictions on the antics, it’s hard to deny the excitement and fun that this hole brought to the game – and it’s a big part of why the Waste Management Phoenix Open remains a fan favorite.

4) Gary Woodland reunited with a special fan

One of the most heartwarming moments in golf history is the story of Gary Woodland and Amy Bockerstette, a 20-year-old golfer with Down Syndrome. The two met at the 2019 WM Phoenix Open, where Bockerstette played alongside Woodland in the pro-am and famously sunk a 10-foot putt for par, declaring “I got this!” before making the shot. Their chance encounter turned into a beautiful friendship, with Woodland even FaceTiming Bockerstette after winning the 2019 U.S. Open, crediting her “positive energy” for his victory. Today, Bockerstette’s “I GOT THIS” Foundation provides golf opportunities and instruction for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and her inspiring story continues to touch hearts around the world.

5) Fans dancing in the pond and on the ‘W’ in the 2023 Phoenix Open

Last but not least, the 2023 Phoenix Open will be remembered for a fan’s outrageous antics on the 16th hole. In a bizarre incident, a spectator ran onto the course, dancing around the flagstick with reckless abandon, and then proceeded to dodge security with impressive agility before taking a spectacular belly flop into the pond. The crowd went absolutely wild, cheering and chanting as the fan made a splash, literally and figuratively. But the fan’s fun was short-lived, as he was quickly arrested and escorted away by security. Despite efforts to maintain order, the 16th hole continues to be a magnet for over-exuberant fans, keeping security on their toes and providing unforgettable entertainment for the crowd. It’s a testament to the electric atmosphere of the Phoenix Open, where the excitement of the game is matched only by the enthusiasm of the fans.