WM Phoenix Open

By: Trey Mayer, First Tee – Phoenix

I have attended the WM Phoenix Open for three years now. Usually I am first in line for the “Running of the Bulls” to the iconic 16th hole. Today I got to learn behind the scenes and what takes place to run the “Greatest Show on Grass.” We interviewed members of The Thunderbirds, Scottsdale Police Department, and professional reporters to learn about what they do. I see so many people who use the First Tee Values and Key Commitments to make this tournament great.

We spoke to some of The Thunderbirds: Tim Louis, Kenny Coakley, and Jason Pritchett. Tim Louis is a starter this week and I asked him how he prepares to pronounce the players’ names. He told us that the PGA Tour gives them a list of the phonetic spellings of the names. If that does not work, he has to trust his fellow starters or ask the player how to pronounce their name. Knowing how to announce the players correctly shows professionalism and the First Tee value of Courtesy. Kenny Coakley runs the House and Grounds which manages the Open’s sky boxes and other edifices. Coakley informed us that he holds people to high standards when it comes to respecting the game of golf. First Tee places the value of Respect at the utmost importance. We all know how enjoyable this tournament can be, but we all must remember we are here to watch and celebrate this game in a respectful manner. Jason Pritchett is the head of the famous Greenskeeper suite. I asked Pritchett how they prepare for this tournament every year. He told us how crucial teamwork and a Commitment of Collaborating with Others is to making this tournament come to life. Pritchett emphasizes the need for flexibility, pointing out that “Plan B is often better than Plan A” which aligns with our Key Commitment of Growing Through Challenge. Our conversations with The Thunderbirds highlight how our First Tee Values and Key Commitments make this tournament special.

The Scottsdale Police Department surveys and protects the tournament grounds and patrons. We spoke to members of the K-9 and Bike Units. Detective Sarabia spoke on crowd control and sweeping the area with the dogs. We got to meet and pet one of the cute, floppy-eared dogs, Skaut. The Scottsdale Police Department put lots of emphasis on teamwork and trust to make the tournament run smoothly.

Later in the day we got access to the driving range and watched the player’s warm up before their round. At the range went met Mr. Harmin, a reporter for African-American Golf Digest. He gave us insights on how reporting can spread a message and bring attention to minorities. Mr. Harmin shared incredible tips on how to engage with professional golfers. He introduced us to Ryan Palmer on the range before his round. We asked Ryan what the best advice he had been given was and he said “have fun!” It is awesome to see that at the end of the day, the golfers realize that it is a game and meant to be fun.

Today, we discovered that having great preparation, respect, and being ready for anything makes the WM Phoenix Open possible.

By: Dylan Patel, First Tee-Phoenix Member

“Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” – Vince Lombardi

Collaborating with others is a key value in today’s society—one that is essential for organizing and executing anything, whether it be a large golf tournament or a small school project. I’m Dylan, and today, I had the honor of being selected by First Tee – Phoenix as one of two Junior Course Reporters at the WM Phoenix Open. First Tee – Phoenix has played a huge role in my development as both a golfer and an individual, teaching me invaluable lessons through its Five Key Commitments—one of which is Collaborating with Others.

The day began with a brief tour of the WM Phoenix Open Media Center led by Ryan Woodcock from Communication Links, where we took a moment to grab a quick snack. For me, that meant a cookie—soft, warm, and just the right amount of sweet. From there, Trey, my fellow junior course reporter, and I spent the next few hours weaving through the course, interviewing people who make the tournament possible.

After meeting Thunderbird members Tim Louis, former “Big Chief” of 2008, at the 10th tee and House and Grounds Chairman Kenny Coakley, we learned about the inner workings of the tournament and the role of the Thunderbirds in making it all happen. They also emphasized the importance of Thunderbirds Charities and their dedication to giving back to the community. Kenny Coakley then guided us to one of the most inspiring interviews of the day with Jason Pritchett, a Thunderbird member responsible for managing The Greenskeeper, a private suite. Our conversation with Mr. Pritchett became the inspiration for this blog, as he emphasized the necessity of teamwork and collaboration in setting up and running an operation of this scale. As I stood in the suite, I could see firsthand how collaborating with others kept everything running smoothly. Despite Mr. Pritchett stepping away for our interview, his team continued working seamlessly—servers restocking the food and drink, and cooks moving swiftly to keep the food coming. It was a well-orchestrated system, proving that success isn’t just about one person’s efforts; it’s about an entire team working toward a common goal.

Next, we had the privilege of speaking with the Scottsdale Canine Police Department near hole 18, where we met Skaut, a highly trained police dog. Skaut was a striking black dog with long floppy ears and deep brown eyes that seemed to take in everything around him. Detective Sarabia, his handler, shared that Skaut’s favorite thing in the world was a simple tennis ball—his ultimate reward for a job well done. Their bond was undeniable. Watching them interact, it became clear that their partnership was built on trust, discipline, and teamwork. In a

high-energy environment like the WM Phoenix Open, where tens of thousands of fans flood the course, their collaboration was essential in maintaining safety and order.

Beyond these experiences, I had the chance to see collaboration in action in other ways throughout the day. During lunch, we stopped by the Home of The Thunderdog, where the staff worked together like a well-oiled machine. One person manned the grill, another focused on assembling the hot dogs, and someone else handled the boiling station. Each person had a specific role, and without one another, the process wouldn’t run nearly as smoothly. This small but effective teamwork reminded me that collaboration is essential to success.

Later, I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Harmin, a reporter for African American Golf Digest. He shared valuable insights about the media world and the importance of networking. One key takeaway from our conversation was that to interview professional golfers, communicating with their agents is a good idea. This itself is a form of collaboration—the agent works closely with the golfer, ensuring that media opportunities align with their schedule and brand. It was a great reminder that even in industries that seem independent, teamwork is always at play behind the scenes.

We immediately put Mr. Harmin’s advice into action by speaking with the agent of PGA TOUR Professional, Alex Smalley, who is also a First Tee Ambassador. His agent gave us a better understanding of his role in managing Mr. Smalley’s schedule, handling media requests, and ensuring his player could focus on performing at his best. This conversation was another example of how collaboration is key—not just on the golf course, but in every aspect of a professional golfer’s career. Thanks to this interaction, we were able to schedule an interview with Mr. Smalley himself, which we will conduct tomorrow after his round.

From every interview and interaction, one thing stood out—success is never achieved alone. Whether it was The Thunderbird’s members setting up the tournament, the police department ensuring safety, the restaurant staff working in sync, or the media professionals coordinating with athletes, every role was crucial. My experience at the WM Phoenix Open reinforced a powerful lesson: collaboration isn’t just a Key Commitment—it’s the foundation of everything we do. Working alongside Trey and learning from so many professionals showed me that no matter the setting, teamwork is what makes any event, project, or goal possible.

Yes, plenty happens before the first tee shot is struck, but Thursday marked the official start of the 2025 edition of “The People’s Open.” And if the opening round was any indication, we’re in for an absolute thriller.

Wyndham Clark holds the early lead at 7-under par, making a strong statement out of the gate. But things are tightly packed at the top of the leaderboard, with Taylor Moore and Lee Hodges just one shot back at 6-under par. Right behind them, a stacked group of six players sits at 5-under par, including Justin Thomas, Nicolai Højgaard, Andrew Putnam, Akshay Bhatia, Camilo Villegas, and Adam Schenk. With so many contenders in the mix, this tournament is shaping up to be a shootout.

Play was suspended due to darkness at 6:13 p.m., meaning several players will resume their first round Friday morning at 8:15, while the second round will tee it up at 7:20 a.m.

Pairings for Friday’s second round will mirror Thursday’s first round, with players who started on No. 1 tee now beginning on No. 10, and vice versa. Hit the link below to check out the full pairings.

After an action-packed day on the course, fans made their way across the street to the Coors Light Birds Nest, where country music superstar Luke Bryan took the stage for an unforgettable night. With hit songs, high-energy performances, and a crowd ready to party, Bryan kept the WM Phoenix Open tradition alive—proving once again why this is the biggest after-party in golf.

We’re just getting started at “The People’s Open” – and this leaderboard is already stacked.

CLICK HERE FOR ROUND TWO PAIRINGS

A Star-Studded Annexus Pro-Am Kicks Off Tournament Week

The Annexus Pro-Am brought out some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment, and music for an exciting day at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. Fans lined the fairways to watch four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, Cardinals legend Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Olympic icon Michael Phelps, country music superstar Luke Bryan and comedic sensation Rob Riggle tee it up alongside some of the PGA TOUR’s best.

Baseball fans got a treat as well. Diamondbacks’ trio of aces Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Corbin Burnes along with their skipper Torey Lovullo, took on the course, while former MLB MVP Jimmy Rollins and slugger Kyle Schwarber added even more star power to the mix. Jelly Roll also brought his larger-than-life personality to the fairways, giving fans an early glimpse before his headlining performance at the Coors Light Birds Nest later that night.

While the celebrities kept the crowd entertained, PGA TOUR pros made final preparations to their games before competition officially begins on Thursday.

VanHyfte Takes the WHOOP Shot at Glory Title

With the pressure on and the 16th hole grandstands roaring, Curt VanHyfte delivered the best shot of the day to claim victory in the WHOOP Shot at Glory, sticking his tee shot to 22 feet, 1 inch. Golf content creator Grant Horvat finished just behind at 23 feet, 6 inches, while Adam Pritchett rounded out the top three with a solid shot landing 24 feet, 5 inches from the pin.

The Party Continues at the Coors Light Birds Nest

As the sun sets over TPC Scottsdale, the party was just getting started. The Coors Light Birds Nest kicked off its first night with a packed house, as country music headliner Jelly Roll took the stage following an opening set from Treaty Oak Revival. Fans filled the venue for a night of live music, dancing, and an atmosphere unlike any other in golf.

Looking Ahead to Thursday’s First Round

With the entertainment portion of the week in full swing, all eyes now turn to the opening round of the 2025 WM Phoenix Open.

Nick Taylor will look to defend his title, but he’ll face stiff competition from a loaded field that includes Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Wyndham Clark, Hideki Matsuyama and dozens of other Top-50 players in the Official World Golf Rankings. First-round tee times begin at 7:20 a.m. for morning groupings and 12:00 p.m. for afternoon pairings.

The 2025 edition of “The People’s Open” is officially underway, and if Wednesday was any indication, we’re in for another unforgettable week. Stay tuned for all the action!

CLICK TO SEE FIRST-ROUND PAIRINGS

By Landon Silinsky

The PGA TOUR heads to Scottsdale, Arizona this week for the WM Phoenix Open. TPC Scottsdale will be the host course and measures as a 7,261-yard par 71 with Poa greens.

While this is not technically a Signature Event, the WMPO is always one of the most exciting events on the PGA TOUR calendar, largely due to the fans. The field is also quite strong this week, as world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler will be teeing it up for a second straight week, along with the likes of Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama and Sam Burns.

Below, I have outlined three of my favorite DraftKings plays for the week.

Set your DraftKings fantasy golf lineups here: PGA TOUR $1M People’s Open Special [$200K to 1st]

Scottie Scheffler ($12,000)

It’s pretty simple, if Scottie Scheffler is in the field and isn’t so exorbitantly overpriced, he absolutely must be rostered. He made his debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last week and was a bit rusty, but still finished T9. The scariest part is, despite not having his A-game, he still led the entire field in SG: Approach, gaining 6.8 strokes with his irons on the week.

It wasn’t all roses, as Scheffler uncharacteristically lost 1.6 strokes around the green for the week, which is obviously jarring considering he boasts the best short game in the world. With a full event now under his belt, I have no doubt his usual Midas touch around the short grass will return in short order.

Scheffler is of course elite at every golf course he tees it up at, but is almost impossible to stop on courses that he’s won at before, and TPC Scottsdale fits that bill. The world No. 1 has a pair of wins at this event across his past four starts, which are sandwiched between a T3 and T7.

With his price only rising $100 from last week, Scheffler is a no-brainer option in all contest formats this week.

Maverick McNealy ($8,800)

McNealy had a dominant fall swing, as he picked up his first career PGA TOUR win at the RSM Classic, while posting a T6 at the World Wide Technology Championship and an additional two top-17 finishes in Bermuda and at the Shriners. He then parlayed that into a T8 at Kapalua to open the 2025 season, before hitting a bit of a malaise these past few weeks.

McNealy is quite close to snapping out of that funk, however, as he gained 4.9 strokes on approach last week at Pebble Beach and an additional 1.5 off the tee. He unfortunately lost 4.7 on the greens and had to settle for a T40 finish, but we know that he’s an elite putter, so there is no cause for concern there.

The fact he struck it so well one week before an event that saw him finish T6 last year is a pretty encouraging, and this $8,800 price tag is not reflective of his overall upside. McNealy likely will not be too popular this week, and is an elite tournament option at a course where he gained 4.3 strokes ball-striking and 7.7 from tee-to-green one year ago.

Lucas Glover ($7,400)

Glover’s history at TPC Scottsdale is nothing to write home about, but he has played this event seven of the past 10 years, and made the cut in six of those. He’s also coming off a ball-striking masterclass last week at Pebble Beach, where gained six strokes on approach, including 2.4 on Sunday alone, which catapulted him to a T3 finish and $1.2 million payday.

Like McNealy, Glover also had a fantastic fall swing, posting a pair of T3 finishes to go along with a T13 and T24 across his six starts. He’s been so good, as a matter of fact, that if you run back the past 24 rounds for everyone in this field, you’d find that the Glove ranks second in Total Strokes Gained behind only Scottie Scheffler, while sitting No. 1 in SG: Approach and No. 3 in SG: Ball-Striking.

Glover is simply too cheap for the way he’s been hitting the ball lately.

By Landon Silinsky

The PGA TOUR takes a break from California and will head to Scottsdale, Arizona this week for the WM Phoenix Open. TPC Scottsdale will be the host course, and measures as a 7,261-yard par 71 with Poa greens.

The field will again be headlined by World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who made his debut last week at Pebble Beach, where he would finish T9. Some other big names joining Scheffler this week will be Justin Thomas, Hideki Matsuyama and Sam Burns.

Below I have outlined my two favorite bets for the week.

Kurt Kitayama to win (+6000)

Back-to-back poor performances at the AMEX and Farmers Insurance Open, combined with the threat of Scottie Scheffler in the field this week have sent Kitayama’s odds plummeting this week, as he’s now sitting a very palatable 60/1. Despite only winning once on the PGA TOUR in his career, this number feels way too high for a golfer of Kitayama’s caliber.

He ranks second in this field in both SG: Tee-to-Green and SG: Ball-Striking over his past 24 rounds, trailing only Scheffler. Kitayama also sits fourth in Total Strokes Gained in that same time frame, behind Scheffler, Justin Thomas and Lucas Glover.

The UNLV product had a really nice stretch to close out the 2024 season, posting top-nine finishes in three of his final five starts. His history at TPC Scottsdale is also pretty elite, as in just two starts he’s posted a T23 and T8, the latter of which came last year. As we have seen in the past, course history is pretty sticky at this tournament, so we can expect Kitayama to again improve on his finishing position this week.

TPC Scottsdale, while definitely scoreable, still presents a bit of a test for golfers, and we should expect the winning score to sit between 17-to-20 under par this week. Kitayama’s lone win came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in 2023, which is the ultimate tee-to-green test. The WMPO is not quite as difficult, but it’s enough to where Kitayama’s elite ball-striking can separate him from the field. He’s also shown in his career to do his best work Poa greens, which he will see this week.

Everything is setting up well for Kitayama in this spot, who is almost an auto click at this price.

Andrew Novak to win (+8000)

Novak has been knocking on the door recently, finishing runner-up at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship back in November, before posting a solo third at the Farmers Insurance Open and T13 at Pebble Beach to begin 2025. Novak is one of the more well-rounded golfers in this field, sitting 41st or better in all four of the major Strokes Gained categories over his past 48 rounds.

If you take a more zoomed in view, Novak sits fifth in this field in Total Strokes gained to begin 2025. This has largely been due to his short game, where he’s gained 3.97 and 3.75 strokes with his flat stick over his past two starts, while gaining 1.37 or more strokes around-the-green in both those events as well.

Novak took Harris English to the limit at Torrey Pines two weeks ago, while he’s also a former winner on the Korn Ferry Tour. Just for good measure, he finished T8 at this very event last year in his debut.

Novak definitely has the chops to get over the finish line, and at 80/1 I am more than willing to find out if this is the week.