WM Phoenix Open

To those who checked Saturday at “The People’s Open” off their bucket list, congratulations! You did it. And to our seasoned vets, welcome back to the setting of one of the most electrifying days on the PGA TOUR calendar. The WM Phoenix Open is “The People’s Open,” and the people were out in droves.

Sahith Theegala captured the 36-hole lead after play resumed this morning, following up his first round 65 with a 7-under 64 in his second round. But Canadian and newest TPC Scottsdale course record holder Nick Taylor is your current leader one shot better at 13-under par through six holes in his third round before play was suspended due to darkness.

Ladies and gentlemen, this tournament is primed for drama. We have a lot of golf left to play and the leaderboard is wide open. All players will have their third round to finish Sunday morning before beginning the final round and 21 players are within five strokes of Taylor’s lead including Theegala (-12), three-time major champion Jordan Spieth (-10), two-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler (-8), two-time PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas (-8) and two-time WM Phoenix Open champion Hideki Matsuyama (-7).

Thank you to all the fans who came to the WM Phoenix Open wearing green for Saturday’s #GREENOUT to support title sponsor WM and their sustainability initiatives.

Third-round play will resume Sunday at 7:30 a.m. Final rounds will begin after the conclusion of third-round play. Want to know when your favorite players are teeing off and who they’re playing with? You’re in luck. Hit the link below to see full pairings.

Through a unique partnership with First Tee-Phoenix and the WM Phoenix Open, Thursday, Feb. 8 was our first day of junior course reporting. I was accompanied by my fellow reporter and First Tee member, Payton. Throughout this experience, Payton and I spent the entire day learning how people in the golf realm deal with challenges and overcome adversity. First, we began our day by getting our media credentials and walking around the grounds of the golf course.

Throughout my journey as an on-course reporter, I had the chance to interview Deg Davies, a Thunderbird since 2008. I learned that he has run the Thunderdog stand for about nine years now! And if you haven’t had the luxury of trying the famous Thunderdog, I highly recommend it.

Later in the morning, we went to the Golf Channel booth which is set with the sought after 16th hole as its backdrop. Getting to meet Golf Channel staff including, Brandel Chamblee and George Savaricas was by far the most exciting part of my day.

Unfortunately, play was later suspended due to heavy rain, and we got to see what happens on set when inclement weather occurs. There were many last-minute adjustments and improvisations by the production crew to help keep the show going and keep the equipment as dry as possible.

Towards the end of the day, we walked back to the media center where we interviewed with Jim “Bones” Mackay, which was very interesting given his well-respected career with caddying for Phil Mickelson and Justin Thomas, Bones also has also become a trusted voice in broadcasting though his golf commentary. As many fans could imagine, it was a cold, wet, and challenging day to play golf in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Through a partnership with the WM Phoenix Open and the First Tee – Phoenix, I was able to experience what life is like through the eyes of the media and exclusive behind the scenes on the PGA TOUR. It was incredible being able to speak with many of the people that work in the sports media industry!

The day started with speaking with several members of the Thunderbirds which also sponsor the WM Phoenix Open, to meeting many of my favorite PGA TOUR Pros that are playing in the event. I felt a bit anxious at first while talking with many of the celebrities – and almost dropped my friend Caden’s phone. Whoops!

However, I was excited to talk to someone so popular in the golf industry, only to discover that they were just like me, a human that loves the game of golf. While talking with Jim “Bones” Mackay, he explained to us that everyone in the field is playing through the challenges of the weather. Bones also mentioned the fact that everyone will face extreme adversity throughout the week and that everyone was feeling the freezing cold temperatures just like I was.

All in all, everyone in some way, is fighting to persevere through challenges. When talking to Ben Griffin, ranked 91st according to the World Golf Rankings. I had asked him about his golf career and TikTok journey to learn why he does it and chooses to share his story.

Griffin mentioned that he enjoys sharing his POV experience on what it’s like playing each week on the PGA TOUR. “We can all be famous whether its golf or social media, we are all human.” Said Griffin. Through my personal experience as an on-course reporter, there is one big thing that hit me on the drive home. No matter where you are in life, we are all just regular people and nothing great comes easily. Perseverance is just hard work, and that hard work will get you to where you want to go – whether that means becoming a notable public figure or landing your dream job.

Yes, a lot goes on at the WM Phoenix Open before the actual tournament begins, but Thursday marked the official start of the 2024 edition of “The People’s Open.” We’ll put it lightly. It was a little wet today. Play was suspended at 12:32 p.m. due to heavy rains but resumed after a 3.5 hour delay, much to the delight of the best fans in golf. Nearly half the field (66 players) did not finish their first round and will resume round one Friday morning.

WM Phoenix Open fan favorite and rising PGA TOUR star Sahith Theegala is your current round-one leader after firing a 6-under 65. Sound familiar?  If so, you it’s probably because you remember Theegala’s 2022 campaign where he captured the 36 and 54 hole lead – and all of our hearts – and finished T3 as a sponsor exemption. There’s no shortage of competition for Theegala. Andrew Novak is only one back at 5-under after only playing nine holes thanks to an eagle on the Par-5 13^th. And both Shane Lowry and S.H. Lee are two back at 4-under par.

Players who did not finish will resume in position at 7:30 a.m. on Friday. Second round tee times will begin after the conclusion of the first round.

Pairings for Friday’s second round will be the same as Thursday’s first round. Those who started on No. 1 tee will start on No. 10 tee and vice versa. Hit the link below to see the full pairings.

Friday Pairings

Tickets to for Friday and Saturday for the 2024 WM Phoenix Open are now completely sold out as the tournament has put a cap on tickets for the two biggest days of tournament week.  General admission tickets for Sunday are still available.

PARKING NOTE – All of the grass field parking lots will remain closed on Friday.

Lots 2-6 parking pass holders are being directed to park at the NW corner of Hayden and Mayo. Lot 8 parking pass holders are being directed to park at Westworld. Primary general parking will be at Westworld and Salt River Fields.  All parking and shuttles are FREE.   Rideshare and Stop N Drop are HIGHLY encouraged.

The highly anticipated, celebrity infused Annexus Pro-Am teed off today, with superstars like Larry Fitzgerald Jr., Michael Phelps, Adrian Beltre, Nate Bargatze, Nick Saban, Glen Powell, Carli Lloyd and other VIPs and trendsetters. But Mother Nature swooped in with enough rain to delay and then cancel the annual Wednesday event, the first time since 2011.

A break in weather allowed for enough time to host the WHOOP Shot at Glory, however, where a packed house at the famed 16^th hole witnessed many sports stars and community leaders vie for their chance at $1 million for charity. Of the 25-plus contestants, Brad Schoenberg representing sponsor Taylor Morrison was closest to the pin at 5’ from the hole. Charlie Tucker took second place at 10’ 4”, third place went to Jim Pitman at 16’ 9” and MLB Hall-of-fame third baseman Adrian Beltre took fourth at 19’ 1”

Weather won’t impact the PGA TOUR’s biggest afterparty – the Coors Light Birds Nest. Country music star and 2022 ACM award winner HARDY, and country music’s latest sensation Bailey Zimmerman kick off the four-night concert series across the street from “The People’s Open.” Pro move? Head there early to The Pavilions and grab awesome food and drinks before the headliners take the stage.

2024 WM Phoenix Open Thursday Pairings

The first round of the 2024 WM Phoenix Open begins tomorrow with morning groupings set to tee off at 7:20 a.m. and afternoon groupings beginning at 12:00 a.m. Will Scottie Scheffler complete the three-peat? Stay tuned – same WMPO time, same WMPO channel.

The moment you all waited for! Annexus Pro-Am pairings are HERE, people! Make sure to plan your day accordingly to see your favorite celebrities, rock stars and professional athletes tee it up with the PGA TOUR’s best.

Top Gun star Glen “Hangman” Powell and Hysterical comedian Nate Bargatze’s group get things started at 8:30 a.m. on No. 1 and No. 10 respectively. The greatest Olympian of all time Michael Phelps tees off on No. 1 at 10:10 a.m. as does Larry “Legend” Fitzgerald Jr. from 10 tee. The field is full of incredible stars, amazing athletes and some of the best to ever do it. Don’t miss it!

See below for a full list of all the celebrities, athletes, business leaders and PGA TOUR pros who will tee it up at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open Annexus Pro-am.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL PAIRINGS