#PEOPLESOPEN

WM Phoenix Open

GOTTERUP LEADS AFTER 2026 WM PHOENIX OPEN FIRST ROUND

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WM PHOENIX OPEN
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Thursday marked the opening round of the 2026 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, and from the first tee shot to the final groups coming in, the tournament’s signature energy was already fully alive. Fans poured through the gates early, galleries wrapped around every fairway, and “The People’s Open” wasted no time feeling like itself again.

Once play got underway, the Stadium Course played firm, fast, and ready for scoring — but not without a little bite. With just enough desert breeze to keep players honest, Round 1 turned into a day of big runs, momentum swings, and plenty of noise across the property.

Play was suspended due to darkness at 6:06 p.m. Players who did not finish will resume their rounds tomorrow morning.

Chris Gotterup leads the field after Thursday’s opening round, firing an 8-under 63 to take the early top spot. The round was fueled by a scorching back nine, where Gotterup posted a 30 with four birdies and an eagle to separate himself from the pack.

Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick sits close behind at 6-under after matching the TPC Scottsdale back-nine single-round scoring record with a 29. Fitzpatrick was even deeper before a tough finish — back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 8 and 9 proved to be the difference after Day 1.

Behind them, the leaderboard is already stacked, with four players tied for third at 5-under as the tournament heads into Friday with plenty still up for grabs.

And while the action inside the ropes was electric, the scenes outside them were just as memorable. From early-morning arrivals to fans soaking up the atmosphere around the course, Thursday reminded everyone that this isn’t just a tournament –  it’s a full-scale Scottsdale spectacle.

One important note for those planning to beat the crowds the next two days – the WM Phoenix Open has a message for the Breakfast Club.

To the early risers and worm-getters.
To our favorite morning people –  healthy, wealthy, and wise.
And, of course, to the esteemed members of the Breakfast Club…

We humbly ask you to gather at the Main Entrance for your annual meeting.
The Hayden Entrance will remain closed until 7:15 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday.

Round 1 is in the books, the leaderboard is taking shape, and the weekend energy is already building. Friday is next, and at the WM Phoenix Open, things only get louder from here.

WEDNESDAY AT THE WM PHOENIX OPEN – LOUD, LOOSE, AND FULLY LOCKED IN

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Wednesday is when the WM Phoenix Open stops warming up and starts being itself.

The Annexus Pro-Am took over TPC Scottsdale and reminded everyone why this day has become one of the most anticipated on the calendar. The ropes were full early. Groups were surrounded. Fans followed personalities instead of scoreboards. It wasn’t quiet, it wasn’t scripted, and it definitely wasn’t just another Pro-Am.

The golf mattered, too.


VIEW 1ST ROUND PAIRINGS AND TEE TIMES

Team Chris Gotterup and Daniel Berger set the pace with a 55 to take first place, edging Team Brian Harman and Tom Hoge, who matched the score but came up just short on the final nine. Team Scottie Scheffler and Brooks Koepka finished third at 57, while Team Cameron Young and Xander Schauffele followed closely behind, also at 57. From the leaders to the middle of the board, the Stadium Course stayed busy all afternoon, with plenty of teams hanging around and pushing the pace.

But Wednesday at “The People’s Open” is never just about where you finish.

Fans moved freely between groups, cheering great shots, laughing at the bad ones, and getting up close to the kind of moments that only happen here. Celebrities leaned into the cheers and jeers of the crowd. PGA TOUR players embraced it. The result was a day that felt competitive without being stiff – the exact balance that defines this tournament.

That energy carried straight into WHOOP Shot at Glory, where the crowd packed in and every inch mattered. Brian Baumgartner — yes, that Brian Baumgartner — took the win with a clutch effort at 10 feet, 4 inches. Chazzy finished right on his heels at 10 feet, 5 inches, and Ron Shurts followed with a strong showing at 21 feet, 2 inches. It was tight, loud, and decided by inches, which felt just about right for a Wednesday afternoon in Scottsdale.

By the time the sun dipped and the last groups cleared the course, the message was clear. The crowds were dialed in. The course was alive and hoppin’ and ready for the best golfers in the world.

Tournament play is next. And if Wednesday was any indication, it’s going to get even louder.

2026 ANNEXUS PRO-AM PAIRINGS ANNOUNCED

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The wait is over – the Annexus Pro-Am is back, and Wednesday at the WM Phoenix Open is once again shaping up to be one of the most entertaining days of tournament week.

Each year, the Annexus Pro-Am transforms TPC Scottsdale into a must-see showcase where PGA TOUR stars share the fairways with championship athletes, entertainers, and cultural icons. The 2026 edition is no different, bringing together a lineup that spans Super Bowl champions, Olympic legends, MLB All-Stars, and fan-favorite personalities — all teeing it up alongside some of the best golfers in the world.

CLICK HERE FOR ANNEXUS PRO-AM PAIRINGS

Football fans will have plenty to circle on the course map, led by three-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce, Arizona Cardinals stars Trey McBride, Budda Baker, and Zaven Collins, and longtime WM Phoenix Open fixture Larry Fitzgerald Jr. Baseball is equally well represented, with All-Stars and World Series champions including Mookie Betts, Alex Bregman, Cal Raleigh, and Arizona Diamondbacks ace Merrill Kelly set to be part of the action.

Olympic greatness returns once again as the most decorated Olympian of all time, Michael Phelps, tees it up, joined by two-time FIFA World Cup champion Carli Lloyd. The entertainment world adds its own star power with The Office favorite Brian Baumgartner, and country music star Zach Top bringing a different kind of spotlight to tournament week.

All of it unfolds alongside PGA TOUR professionals competing on the Stadium Course, creating the unique blend of competition, personality, and access that makes the Annexus Pro-Am one of the most anticipated events of the WM Phoenix Open. Whether you’re following a favorite athlete, hoping to catch a celebrity moment, or just soaking in the atmosphere, Wednesday offers something around every corner of the course.

TUESDAY HIGHLIGHTS THE HEART OF THE WM PHOENIX OPEN

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Tuesday at the WM Phoenix Open continued to build momentum toward tournament play, welcoming fans to TPC Scottsdale for a full day of activity highlighted by practice rounds, community-focused events, and free admission courtesy of Ford Free Days. With PGA TOUR professionals dialing in their games ahead of Thursday’s opening round, fans had the opportunity to move around the course, watch preparations up close, and take in the unique energy that defines the early days of tournament week.

One of Tuesday’s signature events was the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day which kicked the day off on the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course practice range. 

R.S. HOYT JR. FAMILY FOUNDATION DREAM DAY

Designed for students in grades 4–6, Dream Day brought hundreds of local elementary school students together for a morning centered on inspiration, learning, and fun. The event featured appearances by PGA TOUR professional Joel Dahmen alongside Arizona sports figures Larry Fitzgerald Jr. and Zac Gallen. Students enjoyed a trick-shot golf show, participated in a Q and A session, and rotated through a junior golf clinic presented by PING, creating memorable moments both on and off the range including, of course, the now famous Dream Day Selfie.

SAN TAN FORD SPECIAL OLYMPICS PUTTING CHALLENGE

When Dream Day wrapped up, attention shifted to the Stadium Course putting green for the San Tan Ford Special Olympics Putting Challenge. The annual event paired Special Olympics Arizona athletes with celebrities, professional athletes and business leaders from across the Valley in a friendly competition celebrating inclusion and community. Open to all ticket holders, the Putting Challenge once again highlighted the WM Phoenix Open’s commitment to supporting meaningful causes while giving fans the chance to see familiar faces in a relaxed, interactive setting.

That spirit of community and appreciation continued at Patriots Outpost with Operation Shower, one of the most meaningful traditions of tournament week. Operation Shower is a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring military families, particularly expectant mothers whose spouses are deployed or who are serving themselves. Through group baby showers, Operation Shower provides essential items, emotional support and a sense of community during a time that can otherwise feel isolating. The event served as a powerful reminder of the tournament’s ongoing commitment to recognizing service, sacrifice and the people behind the uniform.

The day concluded on the Champions Course with the PGA TOUR Wives Association Golf Classic. The five-hole charity shootout featured members of the PGA TOUR Wives Association competing for a cause, while their PGA TOUR professional partners took on caddie duties, carrying bags, raking bunkers and tending flags throughout the round. The event benefited EYECARE4KIDS and added a lighthearted, personal touch to Tuesday’s schedule.

With practice rounds complete and another full slate of events in the books, Tuesday served as a reminder that the WM Phoenix Open is about more than competition alone. As tournament week continues, attention now turns to Wednesday’s events, with anticipation continuing to build across TPC Scottsdale.

And, yes, the Annexus Pro-Am pairings will be announced tonight. Hang in there. Almost ready!

2026 WM PHOENIX OPEN PICKS: GOLF BEST BETS ON DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOK

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By Alex Hunter

After back-to-back events in California, the PGA TOUR heads to Arizona for the WM Phoenix Open at the Stadium Course (par 71, 7,261 yards, poa trivialis/bentgrass/ryegrass overseed greens) of TPC Scottsdale. Since 1987, TPC Scottsdale has been the home of the WM Phoenix Open and at this tournament a year ago, Thomas Detry (-24) dominated with a seven-shot win. This week’s field consists of 121 golfers and there will be a top-65 and ties cut following the first two rounds.

Below, I have featured my two favorite bets for the WM Phoenix Open on DraftKings Sportsbook.

Alex Hunter provides his top golf bets on DraftKings Sportsbook for the 2026 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.

Si Woo Kim – Winner without Scottie Scheffler (+2100)

Beating Scheffler this week is going to be very difficult. The world No. 1 won has won four times in his last six starts, most recently with a four-shot win at the American Express two weeks ago. Plus, Scheffler has been dominant at TPC Scottsdale with two wins in his last four visits to the venue. Scheffler is an absurd +225 favorite to win the WM Phoenix Open on DraftKings Sportsbook, giving him a 30.7% implied chance to win this event. Scheffler’s Tiger Woods-esque run feels likely to continue this week, so rather than backing Kim at +2700 to win outright, taking him to be the highest finisher excluding Scheffler at +2100 makes way more sense.

While no one compares to Scheffler right now, Kim has been playing outstanding golf in his own right. Kim has won four times on the PGA TOUR and has been so close to rejoining the winner’s circle recently. In his last five starts worldwide, Kim has finished T4th, third, T11th, T6th and T2nd. That runner-up came at the Farmers Insurance Open last week as Kim lead the field with a career-high 2.65 strokes gained on approach. This isn’t the first time Kim has lit it up with his irons recently, either, as this marked the fifth event in a row that he has gained strokes on approach at. When we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, Kim notably ranks first in SG APP, even ahead of Scheffler, which bodes very well for TPC Scottsdale, as two of the past winners here have led their field in SG APP. Another great sign for this week is that Kim ranks eighth in SG OTT during this time. TPC Scottsdale is a driver-heavy course and four of the past five victors at this track have finished the event top-18 in SG OTT.

Kim has notably only failed to shoot under par once in his last 20 rounds, and that outlier was an even par 72 to close out the American Express two weeks ago. Kim has moved up 16 spots in the world golf rankings in the new year alone and should contend at TPC Scottsdale in his incredible form. Kim has finished at least T26th in his last four starts at this par 71, including a T12 two years ago.

Rickie Fowler top-10 finish including ties (+298)

Fowler is playing his best golf in quite some time and is a great bet for a top-10 finish this week at these +298 odds. The six-time PGA TOUR winner has made seven straight cuts, and in his last three starts, he has finished T6th, T7th and T18th. Fowler gained strokes on approach at all these events. During that T18 at the American Express two weeks ago, the 37-year-old caught fire in the second round and posted a 9-under 63 at the Nicklaus Course, which is Fowler’s lowest number on the PGA TOUR since last May.

Fowler hasn’t shot an over par round since the Open Championship in July and he now heads to TPC Scottsdale, where he won by two shots in 2019. Not only does Fowler have this victory on his resume at TPC Scottsdale, he has finished runner-up at this track twice and he has finished inside the top-10 five times in 16 starts at the venue. Fowler has a 9-under 62 under his belt at TPC Scottsdale and he ranks ninth among this field in strokes gained per round at the par 71.

I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is Hunta512) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skills and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.

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MONDAY SETS THE TONE AT THE 2026 WM PHOENIX OPEN

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Monday at the WM Phoenix Open marked the official start of tournament week as the 2026 edition of “The People’s Open” returned to TPC Scottsdale. The annual Carlisle Pro-Am kicked off the festivities, pairing PGA TOUR professionals with community leaders and VIPs for a relaxed yet competitive day on the Stadium Course. While much of the country remains deep in winter, Arizona delivered perfect playing conditions, with clear blue skies and temperatures reaching 77 degrees – setting the stage for an exciting week ahead.

Mario Tiziani’s group claimed first place in the Carlisle Pro-Am, finishing the day at 19-under par. Tiziani was joined by Tim Hovik, Jeff Johnson, John Lightfoot and Charlie Winters, edging out Patrick Flavin’s group, which posted a strong 17-under performance to take second place.

Attention now turns to Tuesday, which continues the early-week momentum with a full slate of special events and practice rounds as PGA TOUR professionals fine-tune their games. Admission on Tuesday is once again free thanks to Ford Free Days, giving fans an opportunity to experience tournament week before competition begins.

One of Tuesday’s signature events is the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day, beginning at 10 a.m. on the TPC Champions Course practice range. Dream Day welcomes hundreds of local elementary school students for a morning focused on fun, learning and inspiration. The event features interactive games, a trick-shot golf show, and a junior golf clinic, giving students hands-on exposure to the game while creating lasting memories.

Students will also hear from PGA TOUR professional Joel Dahmen and Arizona sports icon Larry Fitzgerald, who will share advice and encouragement before the event concludes with the now-famous Dream Day group selfie – an annual highlight for students and volunteers alike.

Tuesday also includes the San Tan Ford Special Olympics Putting Challenge, which begins at 11 a.m. on the Stadium Course putting green. Special Olympics athletes are joined by celebrities, sports figures and business leaders from across the Valley for a friendly competition that celebrates inclusion and community. The event is open to the public and regularly draws PGA TOUR professionals who stop by to support the athletes.

With the Carlisle Pro-Am in the books and a full slate of events still to come, the 2026 WM Phoenix Open is officially underway as tournament week continues to build toward competitive rounds beginning Thursday