TUESDAY AT THE 2025 WM PHOENIX OPEN

Tuesday at the 2025 WM Phoenix Open was a dream come true for more than 500 elementary school students, who swapped their classrooms for an unforgettable day at the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day, benefiting The First Tee of Phoenix. Held at the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course practice range,

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MONDAY AT THE 2025 WM PHOENIX OPEN

It’s official. The People’s Open is back, and we’re officially underway at the 90th edition of the WM Phoenix Open. Monday brought the Carlisle Pro-Am featuring PGA TOUR professionals fine-tuning their game in practice rounds alongside community leaders and VIPs.

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THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES DONATES MORE THAN $4.8 MILLION TO VALLEY CHARITIES DURING FALL FUNDING CYCLE

Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable giving arm of The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – awarded more than $4.8 million in grants to 70 Valley charities during its 2024 Fall funding cycle. Some of the largest grants include $1 million to Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, $500,000 to The Phoenix Zoo, $200,000 to Barrow Neurological Foundation, and $200,000 to A New Leaf.  Additionally, eight grants of more than $100,000 were awarded during this cycle and went to United Cerebral Palsy Association of Central Arizona ($200,000), UMOM New Day Centers ($200,000), St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance ($170,000), Valleywise Health Foundation ($125,000), Zion Institute ($100,000), Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA) ($100,000), ICAN: Positive Programs for Youth and Brighter Way Institute ($100,000).

With the 2024 Fall funding cycle complete, Thunderbirds Charities has now opened its 2025 Spring funding cycle. Information about the Spring funding cycle can be found at www.ThunderbirdsCharities.org.

“We are beyond thrilled and deeply proud to have contributed over $4.8 million to local Valley charities during this funding cycle,” said George Thimsen, Big Chief of The Thunderbirds. “Supporting our communities and neighborhoods is central to The Thunderbirds’ mission, and we are truly honored to make a difference in such a meaningful way.”

The $1 million grant to Boys & Girls Club of the Valley will be directed to its Thunderbirds Charities Leadership Academy. The Thunderbirds Charities Leadership Academy is a three-day camp for low-income, high-risk middle school boys to help them develop personal life skills.  This was highlighted during a special check presentation ceremony during last night’s Concert in the Coliseum with Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur4ZBz7AzAw&feature=youtu.be.

The $500,000 grant to The Phoenix Zoo will provide funding and aid to building a new Veterinary Medical Center Laboratory.

Barrow Neurological Foundation will use the $200,000 grant to go towards its Barrow Neuro-Robotics Rehabilitation Program. New technologies are harnessing the power of neuroplasticity and enabling people to get more out of their rehabilitation. People with neurological injuries are reaching a level of function and independence they never thought possible.

A New Leaf was awarded $200,000 from Thunderbirds Charities to support their highly impactful Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. Through shelter, legal advocacy, and comprehensive support services, A New Leaf works to provide any survivor of domestic violence with the choice and ability to safely leave.

70 Awards Granted During 2024 Fall Funding Cycle

ARIZONA HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPION FRANKIE CAPAN III RECEIVES SECOND SPONSOR EXEMPTION FOR 2025 WM PHOENIX OPEN

Tournament Chairman Matt Mooney announced today PGA TOUR rookie and Arizona High School State Champion Frankie Capan III will receive the second of five sponsor exemptions for the 2025 WM Phoenix Open, scheduled for February 3–9 at TPC Scottsdale. The Florida Gulf Coast and Alabama Crimson Tide alum clinched a Top-30 spot on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour Points List to earn his 2025 PGA TOUR card.

“We are beyond excited to welcome Frankie Capan III back to the Valley as a sponsor exemption to the 2025 WM Phoenix Open,” Mooney said.  “Frankie’s journey from winning back-to-back Arizona High School State Championships right here in Phoenix to earning his PGA TOUR card with standout performances is truly incredible. His recent T12 finish at The American Express shows he’s ready to compete at the highest level, and we can’t wait to see him take on the field at TPC Scottsdale.”

Capan III earned his PGA TOUR card by finishing third on the 2024 Korn Ferry Tour points list, highlighted by a KFT playoff victory at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship. He closed that event with a stellar performance, securing a two-shot win and cementing his spot among the Korn Ferry Tour’s top graduates. Earlier in the 2024 season, Capan III etched his name in history by shooting a 13-under 58 at the Veritex Bank Championship, setting a course record and tying the second-lowest round ever on the Korn Ferry Tour. His consistent play throughout the KFT season included 11 Top-25 finishes.

Capan III’s path to the PGA TOUR began with a standout amateur and collegiate career. After his back-to-back Arizona High School State Championships at Northwest Christian School in Phoenix (shot 59 in the final round to clinch his second title), he played his freshman year at the University of Alabama before transferring to Florida Gulf Coast University. As an amateur, Capan III gained recognition by winning the 2017 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball Championship alongside Shuai Ming Wong.

Capan III currently ranks 42nd in the FedExCup standings thanks to his T12 at The American Express in La Quinta. The Junior Golf Association of Arizona alum served as a standard bearer during the 2012 WM Phoenix Open and will be making his first playing appearance at “The People’s Open.”

The Thunderbirds and WM have a total of five exemptions to award for the 2025 WM Phoenix Open. The remaining three exemptions will be announced leading up to the tournament.