#PEOPLESOPEN

annexus pro-am

LARRY FITZGERALD JR. TO HEADLINE 2026 WM PHOENIX OPEN TEE-OFF LUNCHEON AT CHASE FIELD

by

WM PHOENIX OPEN
NEWS
INFO

The Thunderbirds, hosts of the WM Phoenix Open, announced today former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, Jr. will be the featured guest for the WM Phoenix Open Tee-Off Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 3, on the diamond at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

Tickets are $350 per person or $3,500 for a table of 10 and can be purchased online by clicking the button below.

PURCHASE TICKETS HERE

“The Tee-Off Luncheon is our annual event that kicks off WM Phoenix Open season, brings together this great community, and allows us to showcase what’s new and exciting for the upcoming event,” said Tournament Chairman Jason Eisenberg. “We’re thrilled to welcome one of the Valley’s most beloved sports figures to the stage, where he’ll reflect on his journey in the NFL, talk about his achievements off the field and share personal stories of his experiences participating in WM Phoenix Open events throughout the years.”

A familiar face at the Annexus Pro-Am, Fitzgerald is an Honorary Thunderbird and is widely recognized for his notable accolades that include serving as a 12-time team captain, receiving the 2014 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award and the 2016 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, and being inducted into the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame.

Beyond football, Fitzgerald is a philanthropist, investor, and business leader. In 2005, he founded The Larry Fitzgerald Foundation, which creates opportunities for young people in underserved communities to learn and thrive in safe and healthy environments while also providing resources for individuals and families impacted by breast cancer. As a dedicated investor and entrepreneur, Fitzgerald has built a diverse portfolio spanning hospitality, sports, technology, real estate, and fintech.

The 2026 WM Phoenix Open returns to TPC Scottsdale February 2–8, bringing back “The People’s Open” for its 91st edition. Recognized five times as the PGA TOUR’s Tournament of the Year, the WM Phoenix Open is celebrated as one of golf’s most iconic and fan-friendly events. In 2025, Thomas Detry made history in the desert, capturing his first career PGA TOUR win and becoming the first Belgian champion on the PGA TOUR.

JASON ALDEAN AND ALEX RODRIGUEZ NEXT UP TO JOIN THE FIELD FOR THE POPULAR ANNEXUS PRO-AM AT THE 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

by Leave a Comment

Multi-PLATINUM country music star Jason Aldean and three-time Major League Baseball MVP and investor Alex Rodríguez are the latest additions to the star-studded list of entertainers and celebrities set to tee it up at the Annexus Pro-Am at the WM Phoenix Open on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. This will be the first appearance for both of these celebrities at the Annexus Pro-Am.

Aldean has risen to fame as a widely popular country music star, amassing 27 No. 1 hits, 15 billion streams, and more than 20 million albums sold worldwide.  He has seven studio albums that have been certified Platinum and has the most Top-10 songs on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart (34), more than any other artists since he made his debut in 2005. The three-time ACM “Entertainer of the Year” is preparing for his upcoming “Rock N’ Roll Cowboy Tour” for his 10th studio album “Macon, Georgia” that features 20 new songs that showcase his southern roots and signature sound.

Rodriguez is regarded as one of the greatest baseball players of all time. The former shortstop and third baseman played 22 seasons in the MLB for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees. During that span, Rodriguez put together historic statistical lines with a career .295 batting average, 696 home runs (5th all time), 2,086 RBI, 2,021 runs scored, 3,115 hits and 329 stolen bases. He was also a 14-time All-Star, won three American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) Awards, 10 Silver Slugger Awards, and two Gold Glove Awards. Rodriguez is currently the CEO of A-Rod Corp, a multi-faceted private equity and real estate firm, as well as part owner of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.

Tee times for the Annexus Pro-Am will range from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Exact tee times for participants will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 7 on wmpodev.wpenginepowered.com/, along with a complete list of celebrities and PGA TOUR players in the field.

The 2023 WM Phoenix Open will take place Feb. 6-12 at TPC Scottsdale. “The People’s Open” has been named the Tournament of the Year by the PGA TOUR four times to acknowledge the tournament’s legendary status as one the most unique events in golf. The 2023 edition will mark the 88th playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the 14th with WM as title sponsor. For more information visit www.wmphoenixopen.com.

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 280 “life” members who have helped the tournament eclipse $176 million in charitable giving since its inception in 1932 (through the 2021 tournament). For more information on The Thunderbirds or the 2023 WM Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com.

LARRY FITZGERALD JR., JEROME BETTIS, AND J.J. WATT LATEST CELEBS ADDED TO ANNEXUS PRO-AM AT THE 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

by Leave a Comment

Arizona Cardinals all-time leading receiver Larry Fitzgerald Jr.; NFL Hall-of-Famer Jerome Bettis and NFL defensive superstar J.J. Watt have been added to the star-studded list of celebrities from the sports and entertainment world who will be playing in the Annexus Pro-Am at the [geoswitch][geoswitch_case country_code=”US” state_code=”AZ”]WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison[/geoswitch_case][geoswitch_case]WM Phoenix Open[/geoswitch_case][/geoswitch] on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course.

A regular of late at the Annexus Pro-am, Fitzgerald played 17 seasons in the NFL – all with the Arizona Cardinals. During his NFL career, Fitzgerald was named to 11 Pro Bowls, one First Team All-Pro (2008), twice led the NFL in receptions (2005, 2016), twice led the NFL in receiving touchdowns (2008, 2009), won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2016 and is ranked second all-time in NFL receiving yards with 17,492. Throughout his career, Fitzgerald has been one of the most productive and consistent wide receivers in the NFL, holding multiple records for receptions, touchdowns, and yards for the Cardinals franchise that puts him in consideration as one of the best wide receivers of all time.

Bettis retired from football in 2006 following a Pittsburgh Super Bowl XL victory after a 13-year career as one of the NFL’s top rushers. During his storied NFL career, Bettis was named offensive Rookie of the Year (1993), named to six NFL Pro Bowl teams, NFL first-team All-Pro twice (1993, 1996), led the NFL in rushing in 1997, and named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2001. Bettis accumulated 13,662 rushing yards in his career (8th all time) and was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2015. Bettis will make his second appearance at the Annexus Pro-Am.

Considered to be one of the greatest defensive players of all time, former Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman J.J. Watt put together an incredible 13-year NFL career.  Watt went to five NFL Pro Bowls (2012-2015, 2018), twice led the NFL in sacks (2012, 2015), was named first-team All-Pro five times (2012-2015, 2018), received NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors three times (2012, 2014, 2015) and was named both Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2017) and to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.  Watt recently announced his retirement from the NFL following the conclusion of the Arizona Cardinals 2022 season and will make his first appearance at the Annexus Pro-Am this year.

Tee times for the Annexus Pro-Am will range from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Exact tee times for participants will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 7 on wmpodev.wpenginepowered.com/, along with a complete list of celebrities and PGA TOUR players in the field.  Other celebrities announced to appear include Albert Pujols, Michael Phelps and Emmitt Smith.

MICHAEL PHELPS, ALBERT PUJOLS AND EMMITT SMITH AMONG FIRST LIST OF CELEBRITIES TO COMMIT TO APPEAR IN ANNEXUS PRO-AM AT 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

by Leave a Comment

The most decorated Olympian of all time Michael Phelps, the NFL’s all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith, and one of only four members of MLB’s exclusive 700-home run club Albert Pujols are among the early list of celebrities set to appear in the popular Annexus Pro-Am at the [geoswitch][geoswitch_case country_code="US" state_code="AZ"]WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison[/geoswitch_case][geoswitch_case]WM Phoenix Open[/geoswitch_case][/geoswitch] on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course.

“The Annexus Pro-Am is a highly-anticipated event for our fans every year, and we have high expectations of world-class celebrities and athletes making a special appearance with the Super Bowl in town,” said 2023 Tournament Chairman Pat Williams. “We are thrilled to announce the start of what will be an amazing Pro-Am field of star-studded athletes and celebrities heading into tournament week.”

Albert “The Machine” Pujols is making his debut at the Annexus Pro-Am, just months after eclipsing 700 home runs (703) and retiring from baseball in 2022 after 22 seasons. Pujols was the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 2005, 2008, and 2009, and is an 11-time All-Star (2001, 2003–2010, 2015, 2022). He also is a six-time Silver Slugger who has twice led the NL in home runs, and he has led the NL once each in batting average, doubles, and runs batted in (RBIs). In 2018, Pujols collected his 3,000th career hit, becoming the 32nd MLB player to reach that milestone. During his farewell tour with the St. Louis Cardinals last year, Pujols moved into second place on MLB's all-time list of most career RBIs and total bases and became the fourth player ever with 700 career home runs.

A regular at the Annexus Pro-Am, Phelps is considered the greatest Olympic athlete of all time thanks to his record 28 overall medals, including a record 23 gold medals. His most recent competitive appearance was at the Rio Summer Games in 2016 Summer Olympics, where he added six more medals, including five gold medals, to his record medal count. He has won 82 medals in major international long course competitions, of which 65 were gold, 14 silver, and three bronze, spanning the Olympics, the World Championships, and the Pan Pacific Championships. Phelps's international titles and record-breaking performances have earned him the World Swimmer of the Year Award eight times and American Swimmer of the Year Award eleven times, as well as the FINA Swimmer of the Year Award in 2012 and 2016. Phelps earned Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award due to his unprecedented Olympic success in the 2008 Games. The Scottsdale local will be making his seventh appearance in the Annexus Pro-Am (2013, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022).

Smith, retired as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards during his 15-year career with the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. During that time, Smith won three Super Bowls with the Cowboys (1992, 1993, 1995), was named first-team All-Pro four times (1992-1995) and was named the NFL Most Valuable Player in 1993. This marks Smith’s fifth appearance at the Annexus Pro-Am (2016, 2018, 2019, 2022) and won what is now the WHOOP Shot at Glory back in 2016.

Tee times for the Annexus Pro-Am will range from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Exact tee times for participants will be announced on Tuesday, Feb. 7 on wmpodev.wpenginepowered.com/, along with a complete list of celebrities and PGA TOUR players in the field.