As the PGA Tour wraps up this season, it’s already rolling out changes for the coming ones. One hot topic of the year was slow play, and now it has finally been addressed with reduced field size, thanks to the PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, and Co. Fans were just wrapping their head around the 2026 changes, and now they are seeing new policies for 2025 too, and, let’s just say, not everyone is thrilled.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open, or People’s Open is known as the ultimate party stop on the PGA Tour. The event is packed with high energy, massive crowds, and, well, a touch of chaos. But come 2025, that chaos might be reined in. The event is introducing a strict “zero tolerance” policy for unruly behavior. And honestly, after the wild scenes from 2024, it’s not hard to see why.

While Nick Taylor’s thrilling win grabbed the headlines, it was the chaos ‘off the course’ that stole the show. Between poor weather and an overwhelming crowd, things got out of hand fast, so much so that the officials were forced to temporarily shut the gates and stop alcohol sales. Things got so bad that areas of the event became practically unusable. Claire Rogers from Golf.com even reported that “people were getting trampled in the crowded areas.”

The madness didn’t stop there. One fan wandered onto the fairway, jumped in a bunker, and started doing sand angels. Meanwhile, two others got into a wrestling match, dragging each other to the ground before being separated. And in one particularly eyebrow-raising moment, a fan couldn’t wait for the bathroom and relieved himself in full view of the crowd, much to their amusement.

Even the pros weren’t immune. Players like Zach Johnson and Billy Horschel found themselves in heated exchanges with rowdy fans. It was clear that the event, as fun and wild as it may be, needs some serious changes to keep things under control. And now, the PGA Tour is all set with some strict amendments.

The tournament will add a second entrance gate at Greenway-Hayden Loop to ease foot traffic. There’s also a digital ticketing system designed to manage crowd sizes more effectively. Combine that with a focus on spreading out the crowds and keeping the energy more controlled, and the intention is clear: a better experience for players and fans.

“Our general admission fans will have to click on a code of conduct acknowledgment and we’re going to have a zero-tolerance policy for people that cross those procedures. Unfortunately, there’s a small segment of our society that wants to create these viral moments and it’s to the detriment of the event, the detriment of the other fans and most importantly the athletes themselves. Each and every year, the Thunderbirds review the previous tournament and look for ways to improve,” said tournament chairman Matt Mooney.

He further added, “We understand the importance of ease and accessibility for our fans to navigate the golf course. Expanding these key walkways and repositioning some of our vendors, particularly around high-traffic areas like the 16th and 10th holes, will provide fans better access to popular venues and viewing areas.”

Still, not everyone is on board. Some fans feel these changes will strip away the lively, let-loose vibe that makes the tournament special.

Fans show aversion to the new changes

Fans are torn as the Waste Management Phoenix Open prepares for some major changes. For many, it’s the end of an era, with the event losing its signature wild party vibe. One fan summed it up, saying, “Damn, looks like they’ve lost the entire vision for why this tourney was what it was. RIP WM, open it. It won’t ever be the same.”

But now fans are seemingly worried that with this new ‘zero tolerance’ policy, the event will lose its previous charm. Some fans were more blunt about their disappointment, with one commenting, “Yeah, this isn’t gonna work…” one said while the other commented, “Hate to see it.”

Others chimed in with frustration, “Booooooooooo,” clearly not happy with how things are shaping up. One fan pointed out a broader trend, saying, “Every sport is becoming more sterile and less fun now,” and honestly, that comment hits hard.

It’s not just about this tournament—it speaks to a bigger issue in golf. As the sport changes, fans are feeling like the authentic vibe they love is being replaced with something more corporate and controlled. Even Martin Slumbers, the Chief Executive of the R&A, has expressed concerns about the sport losing its edge. He shared on the No Laying Up podcast that he’s worried the ongoing division in men’s professional golf could turn people off from watching, “I genuinely am concerned about the divisiveness in the men’s professional game,” he said. I think that is turning off people from watching.” Slumbers’s reasoning was different but the essence was the same. 

It’s clear that fans love the rowdy, anything-can-happen energy of the event, and many fear the new controlled environment won’t keep that same vibe. As one fan put it, “Not sure most of the clientele are the types who say, ‘Alright, I’ll go, but just 1 drink.’”

Well, now the big question is: if the chaos and party atmosphere the tournament is known for is gone, will the same crowd still show up? What do you think? Let us know in the comments.