The WM Phoenix Open has always been about the fans. It’s rowdy, it’s unpredictable, and it’s got that electric 16th hole where beer showers rain down like confetti. But you know what else made it special? The underdog stories that Monday Qualifiers made possible. Well, not anymore.

Starting in 2026, the PGA Tour is scrapping open qualifying for the Phoenix Open, and former PGA Tour pro Colt Knost is not happy about it. And honestly, can you blame him?

On a recent episode of GOLF’s Subpar podcast, Knost and co-host Drew Stoltz sat down with PGA Tour rookie Will Chandler—one of the last-ever Monday Qualifiers at the Phoenix Open. Chandler didn’t just sneak into the tournament; he put on a show. He fired a ridiculous 15-under, finished T6, and walked away with a cool $300,000. Naturally, just like any other fan of the event, Knost was fired up about the fact that moments like this wouldn’t exist in the future.

Knost, never one to sugarcoat things, called out the PGA Tour and Commissioner Jay Monahan for shutting down a tradition that had been part of the Phoenix Open since 1948. “So, Phoenix Open is going to be one of those fields that goes to 120,” Knost said. “And so, any field at 120 or smaller will not have a Monday qualifier, and it’s horrible, in my opinion. It’s called the People’s Open, and normal people are supposed to be able to have a chance to get into it. I hate it.”

He’s got a point. The Phoenix Open thrives on its chaos and the unexpected. It’s where the most unlikely players can become instant fan favorites. And Chandler is the perfect example of why Monday Qs matter. The guy went from hoping to get into outplaying Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young in the final round. That’s what makes this event special.

Knost isn’t alone in his frustration. The golf world is not taking this news lightly. Monday Q Info, a popular golf news page, summed it up best: “Shame on the Tour and Policy Board for ending stories like this and throwing away 77 years of Monday Qs at this event.”

Another golf podcast, Pull Hook Golf, pointed out what we’re all thinking: “Sadly, this story will never happen again because of the @PGATOUR removing Monday Q’s for the WMPO. It’s truly a major letdown!”

For decades, Monday Qualifiers have been golf’s ultimate proving ground—where the unknown get a shot at the big leagues. Now, with the Phoenix Open moving to a 120-man field, those dream-chasing underdogs are out of luck. So, with the countdown to 2026 already ticking, fans are left wondering—without Monday Qs, does the People’s Open still belong to the people?

While Jay Monahan’s plan to make the PGA Tour “better for fans” has spectacularly backfired—turning once-loyal supporters into vocal critics—LIV Golf seems to be doing the opposite. Fans are showing up, tuning in, and, dare we say, having fun.

LIV Golf beats PGA Tour in this one area

Remember when LIV Golf threw shade at the PGA Tour by bragging about its fast-paced rounds in Riyadh? Well, now they’ve got another stat to gloat about—viewership.

LIV Golf Adelaide just pulled off a massive win, shattering attendance records with over 102,000 fans across three days. And it wasn’t just about the golf. The tournament doubled as an entertainment festival, featuring live music, electric fan engagement, and a party-like atmosphere—the kind of thing the Phoenix Open has always been famous for.

LIV isn’t stopping there. They’ve locked in Adelaide through 2031 and are even planning a revamp of the North Adelaide Golf Course. It’s a clear move to invest in the sport’s future while making it more accessible and fan-friendly.

Meanwhile, the PGA Tour is moving in the opposite direction, cutting off pathways for up-and-coming players and eliminating fan-favorite traditions like Monday Qualifiers. The People’s Open isn’t looking so “for the people” anymore.

So, while the PGA Tour wrestles with backlash, LIV Golf is seizing the moment. More fans and bigger events. If Monahan and the Tour aren’t careful, they might just hand LIV exactly what it’s been chasing—momentum.