#PEOPLESOPEN

Archives for January 2023

JUSTIN THOMAS AND WILL ZALATORIS HEADLINE THIRD WAVE OF COMMITMENTS TO 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

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Tournament Chairman Pat Williams announced today the [geoswitch][geoswitch_case country_code=”US” state_code=”AZ”]WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison[/geoswitch_case][geoswitch_case]WM Phoenix Open[/geoswitch_case][/geoswitch] received a third wave of commitments from some of the top PGA TOUR players in the world who will tee it up at “The People’s Open” February 6-12 at TPC Scottsdale. Joining the star-studded field at TPC Scottsdale include 15-time PGA TOUR winner Justin Thomas and 2021 PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year Will Zalatoris.

Additionally, the tournament received commitments from World No. 17 Cameron Young, World No. 19 Sungjae Im and World No. 20 Shane Lowry.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome back Justin and Will to TPC Scottsdale,” Williams said. “When on the course, both players are absolutely electrifying, and off the course, are incredible ambassadors for the game. We can’t wait to see them compete at ‘The People’s Open’.”

Since turning professional in 2013, Justin Thomas has put together one of the best PGA TOUR resumes of his generation, earning 15 PGA TOUR victories, two Major Championship titles (2017, 2022 PGA Championships) and a FedExCup title (2017) in just under a decade. Thomas was named the PGA Player of the Year twice (2017, 2020), the PGA TOUR Player of the Year in the 2016-2017 wrap-around season, and three times led the PGA TOUR in earnings (2016-17, 2017-18, 2019-20). Thomas has represented the United States on three victorious Presidents Cup teams (2017, 2019, 2022) and the victorious 2020 US Ryder Cup team.  Thomas held the No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Rankings for five weeks in 2018 and is currently ranked No. 8 in the world.  Last year Thomas racked up 10 Top-10 finishes and three third place outings to go along with his PGA Championship win at Southern Hills Country Club, while finishing fifth overall in the final FedExCup standings.  This will be Thomas’ ninth appearance at the WM Phoenix Open, he finished solo eighth in 2022 and turned in his best performance (T3) in 2019 and 2020.

Zalatoris is coming off an impressive 2021-22 campaign, earning his first career PGA TOUR win (FedEx St. Jude Classic), along with runner-up finishes at the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open and the Farmers Insurance Open.  His year included nine Top-10 finishes and 13 Top-25’s on his way to a 30th place finish in the FedExCup standings.  His rookie campaign in 2021 was nearly as impressive, with a runner-up finish at the Masters, a total of eight Top-10s and 14 Top-25’s on his way to Rookie of the Year honors.  Zalatoris will be making his second WM Phoenix Open appearance – he finished T17 in 2021 playing on a sponsor exemption.

Up-and-coming PGA TOUR star Cameron Young is coming off an impressive rookie season in which accrued seven Top-10s including five runner-up finishes on his way to a 19th place finish in the FedExCup standings and PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year honors. Young’s additional Top-10 finishes in his rookie season came in Major Championships, finishing T3 at the 2022 PGA Championship and a solo second-place finish at the 2022 Open Championship. Young is currently ranked No. 17 in the Official World Golf Rankings and will make his second WM Phoenix Open appearance in 2023.

Sungjae Im is quickly making his mark on the PGA TOUR since turning professional and earning PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year honors in his debut season in 2018. In 2022, Im had a standout season, earning his second career PGA TOUR title at the Shriners Children’s Open and finishing T2 in the FedExCup standings. Currently ranked No. 19 in the Official World Golf Ranking, Im will be making his fourth appearance at TPC Scottsdale, with his best finish solo seventh in 2019.

Irishman Shane Lowry has had a solid 14-year PGA TOUR career, beginning in 2009, when he won his first professional tournament at the 3 Irish Open. Since that win, Lowry added several other titles to his record, including the 2015 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and his first Major title at the 2019 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, making Lowry the first Irishman to win the Open Championship since Padraig Harrington. Lowry is currently ranked No. 20 in the Official World Golf Rankings and will make his fourth appearance at “The People’s Open” in 2023 (solo sixth his best finish in 2016).

The competitive WM Phoenix Open field will vie for the increased purse of $20 million, the $3,6 million first-place check and 500 FedExCup points. PGA TOUR members have until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, to commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. Eligible players are assigned one of 34 PGA TOUR priority ranking categories based on their past performance on TOUR. The field will continue to change as players with higher priority rankings commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. This year, the WM Phoenix Open is guaranteed to have the majority of the Top-20 players at its event thanks to the commitment from PGA TOUR players in the Player Impact Program. The 2023 WM Phoenix Open has been named one of the PGA TOUR’s “designated status” events.

WM AMBASSADOR AND FOUR-TIME PGA TOUR WINNER CHARLEY HOFFMAN RECEIVES FIRST SPONSOR EXEMPTION FOR 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

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Tournament Chairman Pat Williams announced today WM ambassador and 23-year PGA TOUR veteran Charley Hoffman will receive the first of five available sponsor exemptions for the 2023 [geoswitch][geoswitch_case country_code=”US” state_code=”AZ”]WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison[/geoswitch_case][geoswitch_case]WM Phoenix Open[/geoswitch_case][/geoswitch], set to tee it up February 6-12 at TPC Scottsdale.

“We’re obviously very proud to present our first sponsor exemption to 23-year PGA TOUR veteran and WM ambassador Charley Hoffman,” Williams said. “Charley has been a wonderful friend of not only our tournament, but our title sponsor and our local communities. We’re looking forward to seeing him in action this February and excited to welcome him back to ‘The People’s Open’.”

Since, turning professional in 2000, the San Diego native has recorded four PGA TOUR wins including the 2007 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, the 2010 Deutsche Bank Championship, the 2014 OHL Classic at Mayakoba and the 2016 Valero Texas Open. Hoffman also was a member of the 2017 U.S. Presidents Cup team. Hoffman will make his 17th start at “The People’s Open” with his best finish coming in 2009 as a runner-up to eventual winner Kenny Perry.

“I’d like to thank the Thunderbirds and WM for their continued support of me, my family, and my career,” Hoffman said.  “This is hands down my favorite event on the calendar, not only because of the fans and the amazing atmosphere, but because I get to represent WM during the week of their biggest event. I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity to compete at this stage, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for what seems to be the biggest WM Phoenix Open ever.”

The Thunderbirds and WM have a total of five exemptions to award for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open. The remaining four exemptions will be announced leading up to the tournament.

The competitive WM Phoenix Open field will be competing for the increased purse of $20 million, the $3,6 million first-place check and 500 FedExCup points. PGA TOUR members have until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, to commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. Eligible players are assigned one of 34 PGA TOUR priority ranking categories based on their past performance on TOUR. The field will continue to change as players with higher priority rankings commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. This year, the WM Phoenix Open is guaranteed to have the top 20 players at its event thanks to the commitment from PGA TOUR players in the Player Impact Program. The 2023 WM Phoenix Open will be one of PGA’s ‘designated status’ events.

WORLD NO. 1 RORY MCILROY OFFICIALLY JOINS FIELD FOR 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

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Tournament Chairman Pat Williams announced today World No. 1 and four-time major winner Rory McIlroy has officially committed to play in the 2023 [geoswitch][geoswitch_case country_code=”US” state_code=”AZ”]WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison[/geoswitch_case][geoswitch_case]WM Phoenix Open[/geoswitch_case][/geoswitch], which is set to tee it up February 6-12 at TPC Scottsdale. This will be McIlroy’s second appearance at “The People’s Open”, he finished T-13 in his 2021 debut.

“We’re beyond excited to welcome one of the most decorated golfers of this generation, Rory McIlroy, back to ‘The People’s Open’,” Williams said.  “Rory’s accomplishments on and off the golf course are indicative of what it means to be a ‘pro’s pro,’ we are thrilled that our fans get to watch him in action at TPC Scottsdale for a second time.”

McIlroy is arguably one of the most decorated players in golf history, racking up 23 PGA TOUR victories and eight International titles – including four DP World Tour Rankings victories – over his illustrious 16-year professional career.  The Northern Ireland native was named PGA TOUR Player of the Year three times (2012, 2014, 2019), European Golfer of the Year three times (2012, 2014, 2015), twice recognized as the PGA TOUR’s leading money winner (2012, 2014) and held the World No. 1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for a cumulative total of 116 weeks beginning in March of 2012. McIlroy also is a three-time FedExCup champ, led the PGA TOUR in scoring four times (2012, 2014, 2019, 2022) and has represented Team Europe in the Ryder Cup six times, four of which were victorious.

The competitive WM Phoenix Open field will be competing for the increased purse of $20 million, the $3,6 million first-place check and 500 FedExCup points. PGA TOUR members have until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, to commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. Eligible players are assigned one of 34 PGA TOUR priority ranking categories based on their past performance on TOUR. The field will continue to change as players with higher priority rankings commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. This year, the WM Phoenix Open is guaranteed to have the top 20 players at its event thanks to the commitment from PGA TOUR players in the Player Impact Program. The 2023 WM Phoenix Open will be one of PGA’s ‘elevated status’ events.

MICHAEL PHELPS, ALBERT PUJOLS AND EMMITT SMITH AMONG FIRST LIST OF CELEBRITIES TO COMMIT TO APPEAR IN ANNEXUS PRO-AM AT 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

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The most decorated Olympian of all time Michael Phelps, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, and one of only four members of MLB’s exclusive 700-home run club Albert Pujols are among the early list of celebrities set to appear in the popular Annexus Pro-Am at the [geoswitch][geoswitch_case country_code="US" state_code="AZ"]WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison[/geoswitch_case][geoswitch_case]WM Phoenix Open[/geoswitch_case][/geoswitch] on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course.

“The Annexus Pro-Am is a highly-anticipated event for our fans every year, and we have high expectations of world-class celebrities and athletes making a special appearance with the Super Bowl in town,” said 2023 Tournament Chairman Pat Williams. “We are thrilled to announce the start of what will be an amazing Pro-Am field of star-studded athletes and celebrities heading into tournament week.”

Albert “The Machine” Pujols is making his debut at the Annexus Pro-Am, just months after eclipsing 700 home runs (703) and retiring from baseball in 2022 after 22 seasons. Pujols was the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2005, 2008, and 2009, and is an 11-time All-Star (2001, 2003–2010, 2015, 2022). He also is a six-time Silver Slugger who has twice led the NL in home runs, and he has led the NL once each in batting average, doubles, and runs batted in (RBIs). In 2018, Pujols collected his 3,000th career hit, becoming the 32nd MLB player to reach that milestone. During his farewell tour with the St. Louis Cardinals last year, Pujols moved into second place on MLB's all-time list of most career RBIs and total bases and became the fourth player ever with 700 career home runs.

A regular at the Annexus Pro-Am, Phelps is considered the greatest Olympic athlete of all time thanks to his record 28 overall medals, including a record 23 gold medals. His most recent competitive appearance was at the Rio Summer Games in 2016 Summer Olympics, where he added six more medals, including five gold medals, to his record medal count. He has won 82 medals in major international long course competitions, of which 65 were gold, 14 silver, and three bronze, spanning the Olympics, the World Championships, and the Pan Pacific Championships. Phelps's international titles and record-breaking performances have earned him the World Swimmer of the Year Award eight times and American Swimmer of the Year Award eleven times, as well as the FINA Swimmer of the Year Award in 2012 and 2016. Phelps earned Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award due to his unprecedented Olympic success in the 2008 Games. The Scottsdale local will be making his seventh appearance in the Annexus Pro-Am (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).

Smith, retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards during his 15-year career with the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. During that time, Smith won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys (1992, 1993, 1995), was named first-team All-Pro four times (1992-1995) and was named the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1993. This marks Smith’s fifth appearance at the Annexus Pro-Am (2016, 2018, 2019, 2022) and won what is now the WHOOP Shot at Glory back in 2016.

Tee times for the Annexus Pro-Am will range from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Exact tee times for participants will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 7 on wmpodev.wpenginepowered.com/, along with a complete list of celebrities and PGA TOUR players in the field.

WM PHOENIX OPEN ONCE AGAIN TO OFFER FREE ADMISSION AS PART OF “FORD FREE DAYS”

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Thanks to Ford, the Official Vehicle of the [geoswitch][geoswitch_case country_code=”US” state_code=”AZ”]WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison[/geoswitch_case][geoswitch_case]WM Phoenix Open[/geoswitch_case][/geoswitch], all fans will be admitted FREE of charge on Monday, Feb. 6 and Tuesday, Feb. 7 to the WM Phoenix Open as part of “Ford Free Days” courtesy of your Arizona Ford Dealers.

As part of this renewed partnership, the fifth-annual closest-to-the-pin contest called “Ford Drive One for Arizona Charities” will be held on the iconic 16th hole, giving players a chance to win $10,000 for one of 10 local non-profit organizations, many of whom support green initiatives in Arizona communities.

“This marks the seventh year ‘The People’s Open’ and Ford have partnered to offer free admission to all of our fans,” said 2023 Tournament Chairman Pat Williams. “We couldn’t be more excited to continue this program. This partnership serves as a commitment to our local communities and ensures all WM Phoenix Open fans have an opportunity to experience everything the tournament has to offer.”

Monday’s schedule includes practice rounds by PGA TOUR players and the Carlisle Pro-Am, while Tuesday will include practice rounds, the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day and the popular San Tan Ford Special Olympics Open.

The R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day features motivational talks and Q&A with PGA TOUR professionals, a trick shot show, and a junior golf clinic presented by PING. The event is located on the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course practice range.

The popular San Tan Ford Special Olympics Open Putting Challenge is located at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course putting green and features a friendly competition between teams comprised of Special Olympics Arizona athletes, celebrities and sports stars, and business leaders from the community.

“The Arizona Ford dealers are delighted about the opportunity to bring Ford Free Days and Ford Drive one for Arizona Charities to the WM Phoenix Open. We hope everyone is able to come out and enjoy Monday and Tuesday as well as the rest of the tournament,” said Arizona Ford Dealers Chairman, Mark Witthar. “The Arizona Ford Dealers are proud to be a part of a tournament that gives so much back to the local community and deserving causes throughout Arizona.”

Ford will bring out the latest Ford gas and electric vehicles and showcase them near the driving range for fans to check out all tournament long, along with some special giveaways. Beyond the on-course showcase, Ford Free days, and the Ford Drive one for Arizona Charities, Ford will also host  Country Night at the Coors Light Bird’s Nest on Thursday, Feb. 9 with Jason Aldean and special guest Mackenzie Porter.

As the Official Vehicle of the WM Phoenix Open, Arizona Ford dealers will be providing more than 150 courtesy vehicles during tournament week to transport PGA TOUR players, tournament officials and WM Phoenix Open staff. Those vehicles, comprised of all 2022 Explorer SUVs, will go up for sale at the Phoenix metro Ford Dealerships following the tournament.

COLLIN MORIKAWA, TONY FINAU, MAX HOMA AND TOMMY FLEETWOOD LATEST COMMITS TO 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1672944802152{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Tournament Chairman Pat Williams announced today the [geoswitch][geoswitch_case country_code=”US” state_code=”AZ”]WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison[/geoswitch_case][geoswitch_case]WM Phoenix Open[/geoswitch_case][/geoswitch] has received more commitments from some of the best players in the world who will tee it up at “The People’s Open” February 6-12 at TPC Scottsdale.  Those among the second wave of players to officially commit include two-time Major champion Collin Morikawa, five-time PGA TOUR winners Tony Finau and Max Homa, plus six-time European Tour winner Tommy Fleetwood, who is making his WM Phoenix Open debut.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”35401″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”35409″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”35405″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/4″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”35407″ img_size=”medium”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1672946675707{padding-top: 15px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1672950361603{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]“Already the field for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open is shaping up to be one of the strongest in tournament history,” Williams said. “The latest round of official commitments include some of the most recognizable and fan-favorite players on the PGA TOUR. We can’t wait to see them out at ‘The People’s Open’ in 2023.”

One of the game’s rising stars, Morikawa’s first season on the PGA TOUR (2019) began in historic fashion with 22-consecutive cuts made, falling short only to Tiger Woods’ TOUR record of 25. Since then, the 25-year-old University of California alum has racked up five wins including his two Major victories (2020 PGA Championship and the 2021 Open Championship), as well as an additional five runner-up finishes in only 77 TOUR starts. In those starts, Morikawa has finished in the Top-25 a total of 38 times, a nearly 50-percent clip. Outside of the PGA TOUR, Morikawa became the first American to win the European TOUR’s season-ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai and the first American to win the Race to Dubai. Morikawa was a member of the victorious 2020 US Ryder Cup team (played in 2021 due to COVID), a captain’s pick for the 2022 US Presidents Cup team and is currently ranked No. 11 in the Official World Golf Ranking. This will be Morikawa’s second appearance at the WM Phoenix Open (T-25 in 2020).

Since turning professional in 2007 as a 17-year-old, Finau has found the PGA TOUR winner’s circle five times, four of which have come in the last two years. One year after his second TOUR victory in 2021 at The Northern Trust, Finau rattled off his best calendar year as a professional, winning back-to-back titles at the 2022 3M Open and the 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic on his way to a 9th-place finish in the TOUR Championship and the FedExCup. Finau is off to a hot start early in this year’s PGA TOUR season, picking up his fifth TOUR win at the 2022 Cadence Bank Houston Open and a 7th-place finish at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. Finau was a member of the 2018 and 2020 (played in 2021 due to COVID) US Ryder Cup teams as well as the victorious 2019 and 2022 Presidents Cup teams. Finau is currently ranked No. 12 in the Official World Golf Ranking and will make his 8th start at TPC Scottsdale, with his best outing a runner-up finish in 2020 when he lost in a playoff to Webb Simpson.

Homa is a former NCAA Individual National Champion and five-time winner on the PGA TOUR. He made his PGA TOUR debut in 2013 and waited nearly six years to earn his first win at the 2019 Wells Fargo Championship. Since his first victory, Homa has earned four more PGA TOUR titles with his best season coming in 2022 when he won two titles, collecting victories at the season-opening Fortinet Championship and the Wells Fargo Championship to finish in a tie for fifth in the FedExCup standings. Last year also marked his first multiple-win season on TOUR and first time reaching the TOUR Championship. Homa seems to be picking up in 2023 where he left off with a title defense at the Fortinet Championship in September and a T4 finish at the QBE Shootout in December. Homa is currently ranked No. 17 in the Official World Golf Ranking and will make his fifth start at the WM Phoenix Open in 2023, with his best finish a solo sixth in 2020.

Englishman and six-time European Tour winner Tommy Fleetwood will be making his first WM Phoenix Open appearance in 2023. Since his professional debut in 2010, Fleetwood has accrued six European Tour victories, a 2017 Race to Dubai title and European Tour Player of the Year honors in the same year. He is currently ranked No. 23 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

A field of 132 players will vie for the increased purse of $20 million, the $3,600,000 first-place check and 500 FedExCup points. PGA TOUR members have until 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3, to commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. Eligible players are assigned one of 34 PGA TOUR priority ranking categories based on their past performance on TOUR. The field will continue to change as players with higher priority rankings commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. This year, the WM Phoenix Open is guaranteed to have the top 20 players at its event thanks to the commitment from PGA TOUR players in the Player Impact Program. The 2023 WM Phoenix Open will be one of PGA TOUR’s ‘Designated’ events.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]