WM Phoenix Open

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

January 10, 2023 by WM Phoenix Open 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.

WM PHOENIX OPEN ONCE AGAIN TO OFFER FREE ADMISSION AS PART OF “FORD FREE DAYS”

January 9, 2023 by WM Phoenix Open Leave a Comment

Thanks to Ford, the Official Vehicle of 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], all fans will be admitted FREE of charge on Monday, Feb. 6 and Tuesday, Feb. 7 to the WM Phoenix Open as part of “Ford Free Days” courtesy of your Arizona Ford Dealers.

As part of this renewed partnership, the fifth-annual closest-to-the-pin contest called “Ford Drive One for Arizona Charities” will be held on the iconic 16^th hole, giving players a chance to win $10,000 for one of 10 local non-profit organizations, many of whom support green initiatives in Arizona communities.

“This marks the seventh year ‘The People’s Open’ and Ford have partnered to offer free admission to all of our fans,” said 2023 Tournament Chairman Pat Williams. “We couldn’t be more excited to continue this program. This partnership serves as a commitment to our local communities and ensures all WM Phoenix Open fans have an opportunity to experience everything the tournament has to offer.”

Monday’s schedule includes practice rounds by PGA TOUR players and the Carlisle Pro-Am, while Tuesday will include practice rounds, the R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day and the popular San Tan Ford Special Olympics Open.

The R.S. Hoyt Jr. Family Foundation Dream Day features motivational talks and Q&A with PGA TOUR professionals, a trick shot show, and a junior golf clinic presented by PING. The event is located on the TPC Scottsdale Champions Course practice range.

The popular San Tan Ford Special Olympics Open Putting Challenge is located at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course putting green and features a friendly competition between teams comprised of Special Olympics Arizona athletes, celebrities and sports stars, and business leaders from the community.

“The Arizona Ford dealers are delighted about the opportunity to bring Ford Free Days and Ford Drive one for Arizona Charities to the WM Phoenix Open. We hope everyone is able to come out and enjoy Monday and Tuesday as well as the rest of the tournament,” said Arizona Ford Dealers Chairman, Mark Witthar. “The Arizona Ford Dealers are proud to be a part of a tournament that gives so much back to the local community and deserving causes throughout Arizona.”

Ford will bring out the latest Ford gas and electric vehicles and showcase them near the driving range for fans to check out all tournament long, along with some special giveaways. Beyond the on-course showcase, Ford Free days, and the Ford Drive one for Arizona Charities, Ford will also host Country Night at the Coors Light Bird’s Nest on Thursday, Feb. 9 with Jason Aldean and special guest Mackenzie Porter.

As the Official Vehicle of the WM Phoenix Open, Arizona Ford dealers will be providing more than 150 courtesy vehicles during tournament week to transport PGA TOUR players, tournament officials and WM Phoenix Open staff. Those vehicles, comprised of all 2022 Explorer SUVs, will go up for sale at the Phoenix metro Ford Dealerships following the tournament.

DEFENDING CHAMPION SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, XANDER SCHAUFFELE AND SAM BURNS AMONG FIRST COMMITMENTS TO FIELD FOR 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

December 29, 2022 by WM Phoenix Open Leave a Comment

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1672328530881{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Tournament Chairman Pat Williams announced today 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] has received early commitments from some of the top PGA TOUR players who will tee it up at “The People’s Open” February 6-12 at TPC Scottsdale. Those among the first to officially commit include defending WM Phoenix Open champion and 2022 PGA TOUR Player of the Year Scottie Scheffler, seven-time PGA TOUR winner and 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist Xander Schauffele, and four-time PGA TOUR winner Sam Burns.

“With the WM Phoenix Open being named a designated event, we have high expectations for showcasing the best field we’ve ever had,” Williams said. “We can’t wait to introduce the rest of the field as we get closer to the 88^th edition of ‘The People’s Open.’”[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” images=”35363,35365,35361″ img_size=”medium”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1672328442880{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Scheffler turned in a memorable 2022 campaign that included his first major win at the 2022 Masters on his way to winning PGA TOUR Player of the Year honors. He earned his first four PGA TOUR titles in a span of six starts, starting with the 2022 WM Phoenix Open (his first career win), followed by victories at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play and the Masters. That winning stretch proved to be historic as Scheffler was the first player to achieve such a feat since Jason Day accomplished it back in 2015. Scheffler was the PGA TOUR’s leading money winner in 2022, earning himself a President’s Cup appearance, a runner-up finish in the 2022 FedExCup standings and Player of the Year honors to move into the top spot in Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career following his third victory (March 27), becoming the 25th player in the OWGR era to reach the No. 1 position. He maintained his position as World No. 1 through the end of the season, and currently is second in the rankings behind Rory McIlroy. This will be Scottie’s fourth appearance at “The Peoples Open.”

Schauffele also had a stellar year in 2022, earning seven Top-10s that included wins at the Travelers Championship, Genesis Scottish Open and the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He recorded Top-15 finishes at three of the four majors (The Open Championship, U.S. Open, and PGA Championship), as well as a Top-5 performance at the TOUR Championship to finish solo fourth in the final 2022 FedExCup standings. This will be Xander’s sixth appearance at the WM Phoenix Open, with his best outing a runner-up finish in 2021. He finished solo third last year behind Scheffler and runner-up Patrick Cantlay. He currently ranks sixth in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Burns was selected to his first President’s Cup team and had a breakout season in 2022 with three wins (Sanderson Farms Championship, Valspar Championship, and the Charles Schwab Challenge). He advanced to the TOUR Championship for the second consecutive season, finishing No. 24 in the final FedExCup standings. With his three victories, Burns was one of five players to win three or more times on the season. The LSU alum finished the season with eight Top-10s in 24 events played. This will be Burns’ fifth appearance at “The Peoples Open,” with his best performance a Top-25 finish in 2021. He currently sits 13^th in the OWGR.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

PHOENIX SUNS STARS DEVIN BOOKER AND CHRIS PAUL TO HEADLINE WM PHOENIX OPEN TEE-OFF LUNCHEON AT CHASE FIELD

November 1, 2022 by WM Phoenix Open Leave a Comment

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The Thunderbirds announced today Phoenix Suns superstars Devin Booker and Chris Paul will be the featured guests for the WM Phoenix Open Presented by Taylor Morrison Tee-Off Luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 1, on the diamond at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix.

Tickets are sold out. Please click here to join the waitlist.

“The Tee-Off Luncheon is an extremely popular event in which we get to kick off Open season and tell the community what’s in store for the upcoming tournament,” said 2023 WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Pat Williams. “We’re especially excited to be joined by two of the Valley’s best athletes and hear their thoughts on not only their incredible NBA careers, but also how they feel about ‘The People’s Open’.”

[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”medium” url=”mailto: tol@wmphoenixopen.com” target=”_blank” align=”center”]JOIN WAITLIST[/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1667340926479{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

Booker and Paul are influential athletes in the Valley, helping the Suns win a franchise-record 65 wins last year. Paul is widely regarded as one of the greatest point guards of all time, granting him another nickname as “The Point God.” Currently in his 18^th season, Paul has won the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, an NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award, two Olympic gold medals, and led the NBA in assists five times and steals a record six times. Paul also has been selected to 12 NBA All-Star teams, 11 All-NBA teams, and nine NBA All-Defensive teams. In 2021, he was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. Paul just recently became the third NBA player to surpass 11,000 career assists, and now trails only John Stockton (15,806) and Jason Kidd (12,091).

Booker has risen to fame quickly in the league after becoming the youngest player to score 60 points in a game and just one of six NBA players to score 70 points when he dropped 70 on the Boston Celtics in 2017. Just last season Booker earned his first All-NBA First Team selection and was an MVP candidate. Other notable accolades include three NBA All-Star Game appearances, All-NBA First Team (2022), NBA All-Rookie First Team (2016), NBA Three Point Contest Champion (2018), and member of the USA Basketball team that took Gold in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. and the program will run from 12 – 1:30 p.m. Arizona Diamondbacks President and CEO Derrick Hall will once again act as emcee for the event.

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GRAMMY-AWARD WINNING MAROON 5 TO TAKE THE STAGE AT THE ICONIC 16TH HOLE FOR YEAR TWO OF CONCERT IN THE COLISEUM PRESENTED BY SWIRE COCA-COLA

October 28, 2022 by WM Phoenix Open Leave a Comment

[vc_row][vc_column][mk_button dimension=”flat” size=”large” url=”https://www.axs.com/festivals/457760″ align=”center” fullwidth=”true”]Get Tickets Now![/mk_button][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1668807151557{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The Thunderbirds – hosts of 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] – announced the return of the Concert in the Coliseum presented by Swire Coca- Cola as GRAMMY award winning rock/pop band Maroon 5 and popular singer/songwriter Walker Hayes are set to perform live from the iconic 16^th hole at TPC Scottsdale on Saturday, Feb. 4, prior to WM Phoenix Open week, which will take place Feb. 6-12. This is the second year The Thunderbirds have hosted this unique concert inside one of sport’s most famous settings; last year Thomas Rhett and Old Dominion performed at the first ever Concert in the Coliseum.

General admission tickets for this special kickoff to WM Phoenix Open week will go on sale Friday, December 2nd at 10 a.m. at www.WMPhoenixOpen.com. The Concert in the Coliseum presented by Swire Coca-Cola is a 21-and-over event.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”35299″ img_size=”full”][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1668708031116{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Walker Hayes will get the show rolling at approximately 5 p.m., while Maroon 5 will take the stage at approximately 7 p.m. The concert will once again take place on a massive stage that will be built in the middle of the 16^th hole strictly for this special Saturday night show. Doors for this concert will open at 3:30 p.m.

“Last year’s inaugural Concert in the Coliseum was a huge success, so of course we are thrilled to run it back again for 2023,” said WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Pat Williams. “We are excited to host Maroon 5 and Walker Hayes this year as we kick off tournament week in style, with a great show at the iconic 16^th hole.”

Maroon 5 stands out as not only one of pop music’s most enduring artists, but also one of the 21st century’s biggest acts. Since they released their debut album, Songs About Jane, to date, the universally renowned Los Angeles band have achieved three GRAMMY® Awards and sold over 90 million in album sales and 550 million singles worldwide. Maroon 5 currently has the most Billion plus streamed songs by a group on Spotify, with 7, and have achieved 3 Diamond RIAA Certified records. They have sold over 7,500,000 tickets worldwide and next up, the band will close out their massive 2022 World Tour in Asia, notably selling out all three of their Dome Tour dates in Japan, totaling 120,000 tickets sold.

Walker Hayes is an American country singer and songwriter who has released three studio albums as an artist – “Reason to Rhyme” in 2011, “Boom” in 2017, and “Country Stuff The Album” earlier this year. The musician hits the country genre having multiple singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs. His highest-peaking single “Fancy Like” reached the No. 1 spot on both charts between late 2021 and early 2022. Riding off his recent success, Hayes released the EP “Country Stuff”. One of the tracks, “Fancy Like”, became a viral a hit thanks to TikTok and reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, solidifying himself in the country music industry.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]