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PGA TOUR TO ADOPT NEW ‘QUIDDITCH’ RULES AT 2023 WM PHOENIX OPEN

There have been many aces carded at TPC Scottsdale during the WM Phoenix Open – none more memorable than Tiger Woods’ ace at the Coliseum in 1997 – but holes in one at the iconic par-3 16th during the 2023 edition of “The People’s Open” will come with added benefits. The PGA TOUR and The Thunderbirds announced today they will adopt special “Quidditch” rules for the 2023 event based on the popular Harry Potter book series which will significantly impact how the tournament is scored. Beginning next year, anyone who hits a hole in one at the 16th hole – during any of the four rounds – will automatically win the event, $1.5 million in prize money and 500 FedExCup points for catching the PGA TOUR’s version of the “Golden Snitch” at TPC Scottsdale. “The game of golf – and sports in general – are evolving to match a new fan base with different needs,” said Doug Hufflebush, PGA TOUR Fantasy Integration Officer. “We’re not suggesting we change the entire game, just add a new, exciting component to the game on one of the most exciting stages in golf. We’re thrilled to add this new layer of competition and can’t wait to see our new ‘seekers’ tee it up on 16.” Other, less popular “Quidditch” rules will also be in place for the 2023 tournament, including the use of Beater’s Bats to hit Bludgers towards other players in the field. Additionally, goalposts will be erected on par-5 holes. If a player successfully hits the ball through one of the goalposts, his score will automatically reduce by one stroke.

THUNDERBIRDS HOST VIRTUAL PHOENIX OPEN ‘CHAMPIONS MATCH PLAY INVITATIONAL’ IN METAVERSE

As one of the top-5 oldest tournaments on the PGA TOUR, the WM Phoenix Open has had dozens of champions, some of whom are widely considered to be the best golfers in the history of the game. But with so many great players in different decades with different equipment, it can be difficult to compare players across eras. In an attempt to determine – once and for all – who is the greatest all-time champion of “The People’s Open,” The Thunderbirds in partnership with Meta are hosting the first-ever WM Phoenix Open “Champions Match Play Invitational” hosted in the Metaverse version of TPC Scottsdale. A field of 32 past champions will digitally tee it up in a unique , match-play

format for top honors with two-time and three-time champions getting a bye in the first round.

“Frankly, we’re tired of the debate,” said LeJordan Murphy, Chief G.O.A.T. Evangelist for The Thunderbirds. “Was Hogan really a better ball striker than Phil? Was The King a better putter than Calc? It’s all we hear in our office all day long: ‘he’s better than him’ and so on. And now with the Metaverse, we finally have the ability to put all nonsense to bed and really, truly determine the greatest of all time.” Digital stats and attribute score – like putting, driving distance, accuracy and wedge play – for each player will be determined using a Madden-style attribute generator – taken from the popular EA video game. Tickets for the once-in-alifetime event will be free to anyone with an Oculus VR headset and anyone who identifies as a lizard person.

FAN RANKS EVERY 16TH HOLE BLEACHER SEAT – FINDS CLEAR WINNER

Of the nearly 3,750 general admission seats at the famed 16th-hole Coliseum at TPC Scottsdale, there appears to be a clear winner of the “best seat in the house,” according to one regular fan of the WM Phoenix Open. Minnesota native and perennial “People’s Open” attendee Grayson Michael Gilbrandson – or as he’s known in his friend circles, “Ice Hole” Gilbrandson – has spent the better part of 15 years testing, filing and otherwise ranking the best seats at 16. According to “Ice Hole,” there are many really good seats at 16, but only one “best seat,” and it isn’t even close. “I’ve dedicated my adult life to this project and I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, the best general admission seat in the Coliseum is east bleacher, row four, seat six,” said Gilbrandson. “With respect to my proprietary rankings system, it is the only seat to score an 8.5 or above in all ranking categories. I call it the ‘Plastic Throne.’” Gilbrandson – an accountant by trade – uses a weightedaverages model to accurately assess the overall likability of a particular seat. There are eight different categories in the model including view of golf, people watching, access to adult beverages, sun exposure, boo-bird ability (can a player hear cheers and boos), average wait time for seat, average wait time for bathroom, and seat comfort – a constant since all bleachers are made from the same material. The “Plastic Throne” scores a 76.5 out of a possible 80 on Gilbrandson’s scale. “If for some reason I’m not sitting in that seat, you’re more than welcome to try and get it,” said Gilbrandson. “But now that the proverbial cat is out of the bag, there will be a lot more competition for it. Just be civil, wait for your chance and treat it right. With great seats comes great responsibility.”

TED LASSO TO OFFER PGA TOUR PLAYERS FREE PEP TALKS AT 2022 WM PHOENIX OPEN

As part of their Player Experience Program (PEP), The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – will provide players competing in the event “pep talks” from none other than Ted Lasso – the heartwarming fictional coach of AFC Richmond. The one-on-one, bro-down-ho-downs will be available free of charge to any player competing in the 2022 edition of the “Greatest Show on Grass” and will be conducted via Cameo – a website that enables people to pay celebrities to record personalized messages. “Golf can be a tremendously difficult game and it’s only exacerbated by the monumental number of fans at TPC Scottsdale,” said Roy Keely, PEP Coordinator. “We want to make sure anyone teeing it up at our event has access to some of the most heartwarming inspirational quotes in the world offered by none other than the Gentleman of Generosity Ted Lasso.”

SET TO SIZZZLE

Featuring Diplo, cole Swindell, sam Hunt, russell Dickerson, Macklemore, Quinn xcii, ayokay, kygo, sam Feldt and forester

THE 2022 COORS LIGHT BIRDS NEST –running Wednesday through Saturday of tournament week – officially kicks off with wildly popular DJ/songwriter Diplo and American country music sensation Cole Swindell hitting the stage on Wednesday night. “We’re pumped to welcome Diplo and Cole Swindell to kick off the first of four awesome nights of music at the Coors Light Birds Nest,” said 2022 Tournament Chairman, Michael Golding. “Our fans have shown their love for both EDM and country music, so we figured why not get this concert series started in style by showcasing both on the same night.” Diplo is a 10-time Grammy-nominated producer and DJ who worked closely with top talent worldwide. The American artist is deeply entrenched in the electronic dancehall music project Major Lazer, and in 2020, debuted his first country album — now certified Gold — as well as his first ambient album, MMXX. Grammy-nominated, multi-Platinum rising superstar Cole Swindell toured with the biggest performers in country music, before officially becoming a headliner in 2018. Since then, he racked up more than 4 billion global career streams, among other award-winning recognition, including a Platinum-certified debut album (Cole Swindell) and a Gold-certified sophomore album. American country music star Sam Hunt headlines Thursday’s show with special guest and multi-Platinum artist Russell Dickerson. Hunt is well-known for blending hip-hop and modern R&B into his country-pop songs. A generational shift for sure, Hunt quickly earned recognition from both inside and outside the country music community, earning many awards along the way. Four-time-Grammy-award-winning rapper and songwriter Macklemore headlines Friday night. He earned those Grammys in 2014, along with two American Music Awards in 2013 for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist and Album.

WEDNESDAY / FEBRUARY 9 :: DIPLO / COLESWINDELL THURSDAY / FEBRUARY 10 :: SAM HUNT / RUSSELL DICKERSON FRIDAY / FEBRUARY 11 :: MACKLEMORE / QUINN XCII / AYOKAY SATURDAY / FEBRUARY 12 :: KYGO / SAM FELDT / FORESTER

Macklemore also notched the Rap Song of the Year (“Thrift Shop”) and Top Rap Song (“Can’t Hold Us”) in the Billboard Music Awards. Finally, Norwegian-born producer/DJ Kygo rounds out Saturday’s lineup alongside special guests Sam Feldt and Forester. Thanks to his widely popular remixes, Kygo is a household name, selling out in North America and Europe as well as headlining at Coachella and Ultra Music Festival. He amassed 15 billion cumulative global audio and video streams, and Kygo is making his second-consecutive Coors Light Birds Nest appearance following a hugely successful 2020 debut. Although the massive 48,000 square-foot tent still showcases the live performances, the outdoor patio of the Coors Light Birds Nest now offers an enhanced fan experience more akin to a music festival atmosphere. “This year we wanted to improve the overall fan experience, especially before the headliners take the stage,” said 2022 Coors Light Birds Nest Chairman, Eric Brandt. “Coors Light Birds Nest ticket holders can expect a much more fan-friendly atmosphere where they can meet friends for drinks after golf, come early to have a bite to eat at food trucks, play outdoor party games and enjoy the various outdoor bars and seating areas.” A 21-and-over venue, the Coors Light Birds Nest is located directly across from the main WM Phoenix Open tournament entrance at 82nd and Bell. It’s open 3:30 - 10:30 p.m., with headline acts taking the main stage around 8:30. Visit CoorsLightBirdsNest.com to learn more. n