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

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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.

2024 WM PHOENIX OPEN AND THE THUNDERBIRDS RAISE A RECORD $17.5 MILLION FOR ARIZONA CHARITIES

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The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – announced the 2024 edition of “The People’s Open” raised a tournament record $17.5 million ($17,521,024) for Arizona charities.  This marks the seventh time in tournament history The Thunderbirds and the WM Phoenix Open have raised more than $10 million for charity in a single tournament.  The previous record was set last year ($14.5 million).

“Thunderbirds Charities and The Thunderbirds are proud to announce this record-breaking charitable donation exceeding $17.5 million from the 2024 WM Phoenix Open that will benefit Arizona charities,” said 2024 Tournament Chairman George Thimsen. “The WM Phoenix Open is a key philanthropic event that directly impacts organizations who support those in need, reflecting our ongoing commitment to the Arizona community. The hard work and collaboration with our city and state leaders, PGA TOUR players, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and enthusiastic fans has led to this enormously positive impact on our communities.”

The Thunderbirds and the WM Phoenix Open have now raised more than $142 million ($142,112,248) since 2010 when WM was named title sponsor, and more than $208 million ($208,158,814) for Arizona Charities in its 89-year history as one of the five longest-running events on the PGA TOUR.  In the last nine years alone, the tournament has raised more than $105 million.

“Congratulations to The Thunderbirds on their record-breaking donation to Arizona charities from the 2024 WM Phoenix Open,” said Scott Bradley WM Four Corners Area Vice President. “In the 15 years WM has served as title sponsor, The Thunderbirds and the WM Phoenix Open have raised more than $142 million for local charities, in turn making our community a better place for all residents.”

The announcement was made at the new Thunderbirds Charities Pediatric Burn Unit within the Diane and Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center – Valleywise Health. Valleywise Health Foundation, a longtime charity partner of The Thunderbirds and Thunderbirds Charities, provides philanthropic support to Valleywise Health programs, education, research, and capital improvement projects. Valleywise Health (VH), Arizona’s only public teaching healthcare system serving all regardless of their ability to pay (more than 70 percent of VH patients are financially vulnerable), serves Arizona’s most critical healthcare needs by providing exceptional care, without exception, every patient, every time.

Thunderbirds Charities most recent donation of $500,000 went to Valleywise Health Foundation’s ALL IN Campaign that supports program and patient needs and helps augment voter-approved bonds designated solely for renovating and rebuilding aging facilities.  The Halle Arizona Burn Center and Thunderbirds Charities Pediatric Burn Unit is set to open this June. Treating some of the most complex and traumatic burn and wound cases, the Diane and Bruce Halle Arizona Burn Center at Valleywise Health is one of the nation’s largest and busiest academic burn centers with approximately 7,000 outpatient visits and more than 1,000 inpatient admissions each year. The new 75,000 square-foot Halle Arizona Burn Center will be a state-of-the-art facility, the epitome of excellence in burn care.

“Thanks to a generous gift from Thunderbirds Charities, the new Thunderbirds Charities Pediatric Burn Unit will be a safe space for children to heal, work through the trauma associated with their injuries, and get back to being a kid. This truly meaningful gift will help children and families for generations to come”, said Kate Fassett, Chief Advancement Officer for Valleywise Health Foundation.

“This long-standing partnership between Valleywise Health and Thunderbirds Charities is so special to us, and we’re immensely grateful for the more than $1.1 million Thunderbirds Charities has given Valleywise Health since 2010,” said Lia Christensen, Chief Administrative Officer at Valleywise Health.

POST MALONE TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR THE 2024 CONCERT IN THE COLISEUM

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The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open presented by Taylor Morrison – are excited to announce GRAMMY® Award-nominated and eight-time diamond-certified global superstar Post Malone will take center stage live from the iconic 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale for the 2024 edition of the Concert in the Coliseum presented by Swire Coca-Cola on Saturday, Feb. 3, just two days before WM Phoenix Open tournament week.

CONCERT IN THE COLISEUM IS SOLD OUT

The Concert in the Coliseum is a 21-and-over event.  The concert will once again take place on a massive stage that will be built in the middle of the 16th hole strictly for this special Saturday night show.  Venue gates will open at 3:30 p.m.

“The Concert in the Coliseum is a unique tradition at ‘The People’s Open’ and an event worthy of a truly transcendent musical talent in Post Malone,” said 2024 WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman George Thimsen. “His unbelievable stage presence and one-of-a-kind sound is going to kick off WM Phoenix Open week with a bang. We couldn’t be more excited to see him on stage.”

This is the third year The Thunderbirds have hosted this unique concert inside one of sport’s most famous settings.  Last year featured Maroon 5 and Walker Hayes, while the first ever Concert in the Coliseum was headlined by Thomas Rhett and Old Dominion.

“Post Malone’s signature blend of high-energy performances and genre-bending lyrics are sure to be a force on the stage at the 16th hole,” said Concert in the Coliseum Chairman Billy Malkovich. “In each of the first two years, the Concert in the Coliseum has featured absolutely incredible musical acts and we’re thrilled to continue the tradition in 2024.”

THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES AWARDS SPECIAL OLYMPICS ARIZONA WITH $130,000 GRANT

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1689608110169{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Special Olympics Arizona received a $130,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable giving arm of The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – during the 2023 Spring Funding Cycle.  The funds will be used to support SOAZ’s 2023-2024 athletic season that will include area and regional competitions, as well as its four major statewide competitions in the Fall of 2023 and Spring/Summer of 2024 that will feature more than 1,000 athletes from all across the state of Arizona participating in each state competition.

“We have had an outstanding partnership with Thunderbirds Charities, and we can’t thank them enough once again for such a generous grant,” Heckerman said.  “Their continued support goes a long way to helping Special Olympics Arizona serve our more than 14,000 athletes all across the state of Arizona, with specialized programming and more importantly, with our statewide competitions.  We are excited for the upcoming 2023-24 competition season.”[/vc_column_text][mk_gallery images=”36490,36492,36496″ image_size=”full”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1689609407610{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]With this grant from Thunderbirds Charities, SOAZ athletes will have more opportunities to demonstrate excellence, improve their physical fitness, and create relationships through sports.

“Special Olympics Arizona holds a special place in the heart of The Thunderbirds, and witnessing the remarkable growth and success of this organization over the years fills us with immense gratitude,” said Pat Williams, President of Thunderbirds Charities and Big Chief of The Thunderbirds. “By providing an outstanding platform and support network, Special Olympics

Arizona empowers individuals with intellectual disabilities to embrace a healthy lifestyle and champion inclusivity. It is an absolute honor for The Thunderbirds to play a part in advancing this significant mission, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing these extraordinary athletes compete in the upcoming year.”

Special Olympics Arizona strives to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.

With an emphasis on acceptance, respect and inclusion, SOAZ operates under the assumption that people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are capable of participation in all aspects of life by focusing on abilities rather than limitations. Special Olympics is often the only place where they have an opportunity to participate in their communities and develop belief in themselves.

Special Olympics programs provide a gateway to empowerment, competence, acceptance and joy, and the lessons learned in Special Olympics impact their life skills as well.

It also will help SOAZ expand opportunities to empower the Arizonans with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to be healthy, productive and respected members of society while breaking down barriers they face and the increased isolation and challenges brought on by the pandemic.

The purpose of Special Olympics Arizona is to empower children and adults with intellectual disabilities to live healthy, fulfilling and meaningful lives. This vision of acceptance and inclusion is realized through health, leadership and advocacy programs, as well as providing

year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving more opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.  For more information on Special Olympics Arizona visit www.specialolympicsarizona.org.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

National Golf Day 2023

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1683740073732{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]May 10 is National Golf Day, an annual observance designated to celebrate the significant economic and charitable benefits produced by the sport of golf. Industry reports released this week reveal that more than $200 billion is generated annually in economic impact, and $4 billion in charitable giving is delivered to communities across the U.S.

Each week, the PGA TOUR hosts world class events in communities across 34 states, showcasing the world’s best golfers while collectively generating more than $200 million on average in annual charitable proceeds. Scottsdale is no exception, as our city has served as hosted the WM Phoenix Open for more than 88years.

Through our tournament, we show the world the incredible assets of our host city – a thriving business climate, supportive corporate and civic leaders, engaged and committed volunteers, and enthusiastic fans and community champions. These contributions drive economic benefits that exceed $450 million annually and add to the more than $176 million in charitable impact delivered by the WM Phoenix Open to nonprofit organizations since our inception.

Driven by the PGA TOUR’s mission to transform lives and unify communities, we are committed to ensuring that we build on these investments and contributions with an even stronger commitment to partnerships and opportunities that grow our sport, our business, and our community impact.

While the WM Phoenix Open is celebrated one week a year, the impact of our tournament is far-reaching. As we join the nation in celebrating the good that golf does, we pause to celebrate all of you throughout Maricopa County and the entire State of Arizona who have contributed to our success. Thank you. We are proud to be a member of this community and look forward to even greater success with your continued support.

Happy National Golf Day![/vc_column_text][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2023/05/10/on-national-golf-day-how-do-we-love-thee-let-us-count-the-ways-max-homa-justin-thomas-adam-hadwin” target=”_blank” align=”center” fullwidth=”true”]Learn More About National Golf Day[/mk_button][/vc_column][/vc_row]

JON RAHM, JORDAN SPIETH AND TOM KIM HIGHLIGHT THE FINAL ROUND OF COMMITS FOR THE 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

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The world-class field for the 2023 edition of “The People’s Open” is nearly set and shaping up to be one of the strongest in tournament history as top-ranked players Jon Rahm (3), Tom Kim (14) and Jordan Spieth (16) are among the final players to commit to the field for the 2023 [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], set to tee it up February 6-12 at TPC Scottsdale.

World No. 2 Scottie Scheffler returns to defend his title against an amazing field that includes premier players and fan favorites like Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Colin Morikawa, Matt Fitzpatrick, Tony Finau, Sam Burns, and Max Homa, just to name a few.

The world-class field now includes 19 of the Top-20 and 38 of the Top-50 ranked players in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), along with 14 Major champions, five FedExCup champions and six WM Phoenix Open champions, including two-time winners Hideki Matsuyama and J.B. Holmes.

“We’re thrilled to have one of the best fields in the history of our tournament compete at one of golf’s most exciting stops on the PGA TOUR,” said 2023 Tournament Chairman Pat Williams. “The field includes five of our last six champions, highly ranked players including another appearance from the world’s number one ranked player Rory McIlroy, multiple Major winners and FedExCup champs.  Additionally we have the next generation of PGA TOUR stars headed to TPC Scottsdale for what will be one of the most exciting weeks in the Valley.”

Perennial WM Phoenix Open contender and nine-time PGA TOUR winner Jon Rahm is off to an electrifying start to the 2023 PGA TOUR season, winning two of his first five appearances in back-to-back fashion (Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express) and finishing in the Top-10 in his other three starts. To go along with his nine PGA TOUR wins – including a major championship victory at the 2021 U.S. Open – Rahm also has eight DP World Tour titles, a Race to Dubai Title (2019), and was named the PGA Player of the Year in 2021. In seven starts at the WM Phoenix Open, Rahm has four Top-10 finishes including a solo 5th-place finish as an amateur in 2015 and has never finished higher than 16th. Rahm is currently the 2023 FedExCup Points leader and ranks No. 3 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Spieth’s storied career began in 2013 where he was awarded PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year honors, and just two years later in 2015, the Texas native put together one of the greatest PGA TOUR seasons of all time.  That year Spieth won five times including two Major titles (2015 Masters, 2015 U.S. Open) and the season-ending TOUR Championship on his way to a FedExCup title, and PGA of America and PGA TOUR Player of the Year honors.  Spieth has 13 total PGA TOUR victories and three Major championship titles under his belt, was part of the victorious 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2022 U.S. Presidents Cup teams as well as being a member on four U.S. Ryder Cup teams (2014, 2016, 2018, 2021). Spieth is currently ranked No. 16 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Up-and-coming PGA TOUR star Tom Kim already has two PGA TOUR titles under his belt, becoming the first player since Tiger Woods to win twice on the PGA TOUR before their 21st birthday. The 20-year-old is putting together a promising 2023 season, carding his second PGA TOUR win at the 2022 Shriners Children’s Open in October and picking up two additional Top-10s at the Sentry Tournament of Champions and The American Express. He currently ranks No. 4 in the 2023 FedExCup standings, No. 14 in the Official World Golf Ranking and will make his debut appearance at this year’s WM Phoenix Open.

McIlroy is the highest ranked player in the field (1), followed closely by Scheffler (2) and Rahm (3). The other top-ranked players include Patrick Cantlay (5), Xander Schauffele (6), Colin Morikawa (7), Justin Thomas (9), Matt Fitzpatrick (10), Viktor Hovland (11), Tony Finau (12), Max Homa (13), Tom Kim (14), Sam Burns (15), Spieth (16), Cameron Young (17), Sungjae Im (18), Billy Horschel (19) and Hideki Matsuyama closing out the Top-20 in the world.

The field also includes 25 of the Top-30 in the current FedExCup standings, along with 24 players who finished in the Top-30 in last year’s FedExCup race. The nine former champs in the field include Scheffler (2022), Webb Simpson (2020), Rickie Fowler (2019), Gary Woodland (2018), Matsuyama (2016, 2017), and J.B. Holmes (2006, 2008).

Along with Davis Thompson and Ricky Barnes, the other three sponsor exemptions were awarded to J.B. Holmes, Charley Hoffman, and Taylor Montgomery.

The competitive WM Phoenix Open field will be competing for the increased purse of $20 million, the $3.6 million first-place check and 500 FedExCup points. PGA TOUR members had until 5 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 3), to commit to play in the WM Phoenix Open. Eligible players are assigned one of 34 PGA TOUR priority ranking categories based on their past performance on TOUR.   Click here to see the full field.