PGA Tour News: Phoenix Open Bosses Fight Off Massive Backlash With a Bold Move

The WM Phoenix Open organizers will take steps so that the tournament doesn’t get wasted next year. This year, the People’s Open came into the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Disruptive behavior from inebriated attendees shocked the world. Calls for stringent regulations came from both traditional golf fans and players. 

Zach Johnson, who had an altercation with a section of the fans, went on to claim that the organizers should be ashamed. Billy Horschel also echoed similar sentiments. Jordan Spieth was another one dismayed at the lack of sensibility among a section of people. Now the tournament organizers have released an official statement addressing the concerns. 

WM Phoenix Open will go through major overhauls

Thunderbirds, the organizers of the WM Phoenix Open, said in an official statement that they will make some rule changes to avoid future scenarios like this. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), the organizers wrote, “We are aware that changes need to be made and we will spend the upcoming months identifying areas where those changes are necessary.”

They emphasized that the new rules are not only for Saturday and Sunday but for the entire week at TPC Scottsdale. Typically, the WM Phoenix Open sees 500,000 attendees over the course of four days, the highest being on the moving day. 

It isn’t clear whether the new rules will include restricting alcohol sales as well. Golf Week earlier reported that the tournament organizers will do an operational audit. Notably, last year too, the play was stopped for a few minutes after fans threw beer cans—both empty and full—on the course. 

Read More: WM Phoenix Open Is Injurious to Health; Here’s Why

This year, the rain and frost failed to dampen the celebratory mood, as videos showed some attendees sliding down the muddy hillside. Furthermore, overcrowding prompted officials to close the gate around the afternoon, leaving many ticket holders in a lurch. The official statement also had an announcement regarding that.

Thunderbirds will issue refunds 

Thunderbirds further wrote that a refund will be given to those who were unable to enter despite having tickets. Expressing regret over the decision, Thunderbirds explained that, due to rain, large parts of the 190-acre course were left unusable. Inevitably, that resulted in overcrowding in other areas. 

To stop further problems, the organizers closed the alcohol sales and the gates as well for a few hours—a first in the tournament’s long history. Even players had to wait around before their tee time. A specific team will now look into the matter and issue refunds to the fans who were unable to enter despite having tickets.

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