Oklahoma State All-American Receives First Sponsor Exemption for Waste Management Phoenix Open
Tournament Chairman Chance Cozby announced today that Oklahoma State University (OSU) All-American Matthew Wolff will receive the first of the five available sponsor exemptions for the upcoming Waste Management Phoenix Open, which is scheduled to be played January 28 – February 3 at TPC Scottsdale.
As a freshman at OSU, Wolff was named a First-Team All-American by Golfweek and the Golf Coaches Association of America, received the Phil Mickelson Award (awarded to the nation’s most outstanding freshman), was a first-team All-Big 12 selection, and a semifinalist for the Jack Nicklaus Award. Additionally, Wolff helped the Cowboys to their 11th national title (their first since 2006).
“Matthew Wolff is an incredible young man with an outstanding game.” Cozby said. “His unique swing and style have produced strong results and we are proud to provide Matthew with his PGA TOUR debut start at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.”
Currently in his sophomore year, Wolff has already won three times in his first three events of the young 2018-2019 season. He joins PGA TOUR veteran Scott Verplank as the only OSU player to win three straight events in the fall season. He also reached the finals of the 2017 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and was a member of the victorious 2018 Palmer Cup team.
“I have grown up watching the excitement and energy around the Waste Management Phoenix Open.” Wolff said. “Now I have the opportunity to experience this myself and see how my game stacks up against one of the best fields on the PGA TOUR.”
Cozby and The Thunderbirds have a total of five exemptions to handout for the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open. The remaining four exemptions will be announced in the coming weeks leading up to the tournament.
The 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open will be held at TPC Scottsdale January 28 – February 3, 2019. “The People’s Open” was recently tabbed the 2018 Tournament of Year by the PGA TOUR, is the best-attended golf tournament in the world and has gained legendary status for being the most unique events in golf. The 2019 edition will mark the 84th playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the 10th as the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 285 “life” members. In 2018 The Thunderbirds raised a record $12.2 million for charity from proceeds from last year’s tournament and have eclipsed $134 million in charitable giving since its inception in 1932. For more information on The Thunderbirds, visit www.thunderbirdscharities.org.