WM PHOENIX OPEN NEWS INFO
The PGA TOUR announced its 2025 “Best Of” award winners today, naming the WM Phoenix Open “Event of the Year” for the sixth time in tournament history.
The PGA TOUR’s “Event of the Year” acknowledges a tournament that excels in every facet of the event, from fan and player experience to charitable impact and title sponsor integration/activation.
“On behalf of the PGA TOUR, congratulations to The Thunderbirds and WM on the WM Phoenix Open being named 2025 PGA TOUR ‘Event of the Year’,” said Tyler Dennis, PGA TOUR Chief Competitions Officer. “The Thunderbirds take great pride in their relentless push for improvement, which was evident in all aspects of this year’s edition. With a dedicated partner in WM, the WM Phoenix Open continues to showcase what makes the event one that must be experienced on the PGA TOUR calendar.”
WM PHOENIX OPEN NAMED “EVENT OF THE YEAR” IN PGA TOUR’S 2025 “BEST OF” AWARDS
Ahead of the 2025 edition of “The People’s Open,” The Thunderbirds implemented significant operational changes and enhancements, all under the theme “Better, Not Bigger” while reinforcing attention to detail. Several traditional aspects of the event remained intact, such as no-cost admission on Monday and Tuesday, free parking for the week and incredible local food options, while new enhancements elevated both player and fan experiences, including expanded walkways, redesigned ingress points and reimagined hospitality and “open-to-all” fan areas.
“The WM Phoenix Open has always been about more than just golf — it’s about community, innovation, and the incredible people who make this event possible,” said Matt Mooney, Tournament Chairman for the 2025 WM Phoenix Open. “Earning PGA TOUR ‘Event of the Year’ reflects the hard work and passion of The Thunderbirds, title sponsor WM, and the countless partners, volunteers and fans who pour their energy into this tournament every year. We’re constantly looking for ways to elevate the experience without losing sight of what makes this event special – the accessibility, the energy, and the passion for giving back.”
The WM Phoenix Open also reinforced its leadership in sustainability, maintaining its status as one of the world’s largest certified zero-waste sporting events, with tournament materials diverted from landfills through recycling, composting, donation, reuse and using materials to recover energy and create fuel. Additionally, in 2025 the WM Phoenix Open Working For Tomorrow FundSM generated more than $420,000 for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, sustainable materials management and water management projects in Arizona.
“The WM Phoenix Open is not only a world-class golf tournament – it’s also a showcase of how focusing on sustainability and community can create a lasting impact,” said Mike Watson, WM Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. “Together with The Thunderbirds and the PGA TOUR, we’ve advanced innovative solutions that make this certified zero-waste event possible while delivering meaningful results for the environment and the Arizona community.”
The Thunderbirds and WM work year-round in planning and executing the WM Phoenix Open. Since the tournament moved to TPC Scottsdale in 1987, the WM Phoenix Open has never been a simple “rinse-and-repeat” event. The Thunderbirds challenge themselves each year to bring new and exciting initiatives to “The People’s Open.”
The 2026 WM Phoenix Open returns to TPC Scottsdale February 2–8, bringing back “The People’s Open” for its 91st edition. Now recognized six times as the PGA TOUR’s Event 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.