feb1 feb7

r e s p e c t t h e p l ay e r s / r e s p e c t t h e g a m e / r e s p e c t e a c h o t h e r

2 0 2 1 #thepeoplesopen / wmphoenixopen.com

Welcome to the 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Whether you are joining us in person or reading this online, we can all agree that this year’s tournament looks and feels a lot different. Despite all the change, our zero-waste mission continues as we will once again be diverting tournament waste through recycling, composting, donation, reuse or creating energy – just as we have every year since 2012. As North America’s leading environmental services company, we take our role as title sponsor seriously and continue to work for a sustainable tomorrow. Over the last 10 months, with more people staying and working at home, WM is seeing an increase in materials coming into our waste and recycling facilities, further highlighting the importance of Recycling Right. During the 2021 tournament, and continuing throughout the year, WM is focused on educating fans on how to Recycle Right. Recycling Right means bottles, cans, paper and cardboard only, while keeping food, liquid and plastic bags out of recycling bins – and no bagged recyclables. Food and liquid placed in recycling containers contaminates recyclables. It is also important to note that masks, gloves and other PPEs are not recyclable. When we Recycle Right, we give items a second life to serve a new purpose, while conserving natural resources. Plastic bottles turn into shirts, aluminum cans become new cans, and paper products are repurposed in a variety of ways. 2021 marks Waste Management’s 12th year as title sponsor of this incredible tournament. We are extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished with The Thunderbirds over this time for the benefit of the community and the environment. Our commitment to this tournament and community remains strong. Enjoy the golf action! Sincerely, y y,

Jim Fish President and Chief Executive Officer Waste Management

WELCOME to the Waste Management Phoenix Open

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:14 PM Page 1

OMG, Iâ€™m so hungry! Literally going to devour a pizza later. Better keep that box free of grease and food too,

so I can recycle it. WAIT, did I rinse out my plastic food container before recycling it last night?

You know I did.

RECYCLE RIGHT No food or liquid in the recycling.

Learn more at wm.com/recycleright

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:14 PM Page 2

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/22/21 3:55 PM Page 3

THUNDERBIRDS

WELCOME Welcome to the 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open. This will be the 86th edition of “The People’s Open” and while it may have a different look this year, the “Greatest Show on Grass” will go on. We have worked closely with the PGA TOUR, local government and health officials in preparation to have limited fans at the 2021 WM Phoenix Open and we are comfortable hosting less than 5,000 socially distanced fans at the WM Phoenix Open in February. The tournament will implement strict COVID safety protocols including, but certainly not limited to, the mandatory wearing of masks throughout the entire tournament grounds and thermal screening of every guest upon entry. The 2021 version obviously will have a different and much smaller look due to COVID, but like everyone, we are pivoting and adapting to put on the safest tournament we possibly can. That is where you come in – yes, you. We have the greatest fans in golf who have been integral in making this tournament a bucketlist-sporting event, and one of the most exciting tournaments in sports. You have helped us generate millions and millions of dollars ($14 million last year alone) over the years to award to local charities. Now we need your help to ensure the 2021 WM Phoenix Open is as safe as it can be. Please wear a mask. Please practice social distancing (there is plenty of room throughout the 192-acre TPC Scottsdale). Please wash your hands and use hand sanitizer often. Please cover all coughs and sneezes. And please, if you are feeling ill stay at home. We take the health and safety of our fans seriously, and we know you will too. Fans can attend the tournament starting Wednesday for the ever-popular Annexus Pro-Am, which features PGA TOUR pros playing alongside community and business leaders, as well as celebrities from the world of sports and entertainment. Those scheduled to appear this year include Larry Fitzgerald, Archie Bradley, Michael Phelps, Zac Gallen, Darius Rucker, Rob Riggle, Nolan Arenado, and others.

TIM WOODS

SCOTT JENKINS

Also on Wednesday is the Phoenix Suns Charities Shot at Glory, which takes place on the iconic 16th hole after the Pro-Am and highlights charities, sponsors and celebs taking a shot at $1 million for charity. Tournament competition gets underway on Thursday, Feb. 4, and will once again showcase one of the best fields on the PGA TOUR. World No. 8 Webb Simpson is back to defend his title against an outstanding field that includes top-ranked players and fan favorites like Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Gary Woodland and Bubba Watson. We are also pleased to welcome back 2015 WM Phoenix Open champ and 4-time Major championship winner Brooks Koepka, and we are excited to have 18-time PGA TOUR winner Rory McIlroy make his first ever appearance at TPC Scottsdale. We are extremely thankful to have such tremendous support for this tournament from the community and our many sponsors, including our title sponsor and partner, Waste Management. They have been on board with The Thunderbirds plan to host fans this year because they know the reason behind it – to raise as much money as possible for our charities who are in such dire need. We know we won’t raise what we have in the past, but anything helps and we are going to do the best we can to add to the $161 million that has been raised in the tournament’s history. To you, THE BEST FANS IN GOLF, thanks for helping make this event so special. It is because of you the “Greatest and Greenest Show on Grass” has been named Tournament of the Year by the PGA TOUR four times in the last six years. Keep doing what you do! Be safe, be responsible, respect your surroundings, and most of all, have fun at the 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

RESPECT THE PLAYERS – RESPECT THE GAME – RESPECT EACH OTHER TIM WOODS – Big Chief / SCOTT JENKINS – Tournament Chairman

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 3

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:15 PM Page 4

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/22/21 3:55 PM Page 5

LOS

THUNDERBIRDS Bienvenido al Abierto Waste Management de Phoenix 2021. Esta será la 86ª edición del "Abierto de las Personas" y aunque este año puede tener un aspecto diferente, el "Gran espectáculo sobre el pasto" continuará. Hemos trabajado estrechamente con el TORNEO PGA, el gobierno local y los funcionarios de salud en preparación para tener aficionados limitados en el Abierto Waste Management de Phoenix 2021 y nos sentimos cómodos acogiendo menos de 5.000 aficionados distanciados socialmente en el Abierto WM de Phoenix en febrero. El torneo implementará estrictos protocolos de seguridad COVID incluyendo, pero no limitado a, el uso obligatorio de cubre bocas en todo el terreno del torneo y la revisión de temperatura de todos los invitados a la entrada. La versión 2021 obviamente tendrá un aspecto diferente y mucho más pequeño debido a COVID, pero como todo el mundo, estamos girando y adaptándonos para hacer el torneo lo más seguro que podamos. Ahí es donde entras tú - sí, tú. Tenemos los mayores aficionados al golf que han sido fundamentales para hacer de este torneo un evento deportivo al que tienen que atender y uno de los torneos más emocionantes del deporte. Tú nos has ayudado a generar millones y millones de dólares (14 millones solo el año pasado) a lo largo de los años para otorgar a organizaciones benéficas locales. Ahora necesitamos tu ayuda para asegurarnos de que el Abierto WM de Phoenix 2021 sea lo más seguro posible. Por favor, usa cubre bocas. Por favor, practica el distanciamiento social (hay mucho margen para espaciar a lo largo de los 192 acres del TPC de Scottsdale). Por favor, lávate las manos y usa desinfectante de manos a menudo. Por favor, cubre la tos y los estornudos. Y, por favor, si te sientes mal, quédate en casa. Nos tomamos en serio la salud y la seguridad de nuestros fanáticos y sabemos que tú también lo harás. Los aficionados pueden asistir al torneo a partir del miércoles para el siempre popular Annexus Pro-Am, que cuenta con profesionales del TORNEO PGA que juegan junto a líderes comunitarios y empresariales, así como con celebridades del mundo del deporte y el entretenimiento. Entre los programados para este año se encuentran Larry Fitzgerald, Archie Bradley, Michael Phelps, Zac Gallen, Darius Rucker, Rob Riggle y Nolan Arenado, entre otros. La alineación del miércoles incluye al siempre popular Annexus ProAm, que presenta a los profesionales del TORNEO PGA jugando junto

TIM WOODS

SCOTT JENKINS

a líderes comunitarios y empresariales, así como a celebridades del mundo de los deportes y el entretenimiento. Entre los que están programados para aparecer este año se encuentran Larry Fitzgerald, Archie Bradley, Zac Gallen, Morgan Wallen, Darius Rucker, Rob Riggle, Nolan Arenado y otros. También el miércoles es el Phoenix Suns Charities Shot at Glory, que tiene lugar en el icónico hoyo 16 después del Pro-Am y destaca a las organizaciones benéficas, patrocinadores y celebridades que se juegan un millón de dólares para la caridad. La competencia del torneo comienza el jueves 4 de febrero, y una vez más, exhibirá uno de los mejores campos del TORNEO PGA. El número 8 del mundo, Webb Simpson, vuelve a defender su título contra un campo excepcional que incluye a los mejores jugadores y a los favoritos de los aficionados como Jon Rahm, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, Xander Schauffele, Gary Woodland y Bubba Watson. También nos complace dar la bienvenida al campeón del Abierto WM de Phoenix 2015 y ganador de cuatro campeonatos Major, Brooks Koepka, junto con el 18 veces ganador del TORNEO PGA, Rory McIlroy, que está programado para hacer su primera aparición en TPC Scottsdale. Estamos muy agradecidos de tener un apoyo tan tremendo para este torneo por parte de la comunidad y de nuestros muchos patrocinadores, incluyendo nuestro patrocinador principal y socio, Waste Management. Se han sumado al objetivo de los Thunderbirds de acoger a un número limitado de fanáticos este año porque saben la razón que hay detrás de ello: recaudar tanto dinero como sea posible para nuestras organizaciones benéficas, que están en una situación tan desesperada. Sabemos que no vamos a recaudar lo que hemos recaudado en el pasado, pero todo suma y vamos a hacer lo mejor que podamos para añadir a los 161 millones de dólares que se han recaudado en la historia del torneo. A ustedes, LOS MEJORES AFICIONADOS DEL GOLF, gracias por hacer de este evento uno muy especial. Es gracias a ustedes que el "Mayor y más verde espectáculo sobre pasto" ha sido nombrado Torneo del Año por el TORNEO PGA cuatro veces en los últimos seis años. ¡Sigan haciéndolo como hasta ahora! Sean seguros, sean responsables, respeten su entorno y, sobre todo, diviértanse en el Abierto Waste Management de Phoenix 2021.

RESPETE A LOS AFICIONADOS – RESPETE A LOS JUGADORES – RESPETE EL JUEGO TIM WOODS – Gran jefe /

SCOTT JENKINS – Presidente del torneo WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 5

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:15 PM Page 6

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:15 PM Page 7

THREE MODEL OPTIONS: MA X / LST / SFT

At PING, we measure success in the lab and on your scorecard. Led by our most forgiving driver ever, the

ÂŠ2021 PING | WMPO21 P.O. BOX 82000 PHOENIX, AZ 85071

G425 MAX, big performance gains were achieved across the new G425 family. The proven innovations engineered into G425 clubs deliver score-lowering results oďŹ€ the tee, from the fairway and into and around the green so golfers of all skill levels can enjoy the game more.

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:15 PM Page 8

Editor In Chief Ryan Woodcock

Contributing Writers Jonathan Crist Jeff Locke Tom Mackin

talking with pros An Interview with Gary Woodland 42 Hometown Hero Chez Reavie 56

Art Direction

On The Clock with Charley Hoffman 66

Andrea Minogue

From Ireland With Love – Padraig Harrington 74

Contributing Photographers

2020 Champion Webb Simpson 76

Mark Squire Erin McDonald Kristin Brown Dana Gibbons TODD Photographic Services

On The Clock with Webb Simpson 82 Home Turf – A Chat with Local Caddie Justin York 96

executive Publisher The Thunderbirds 602.870.0163

publisher & editor Communication Links 480.348.7540

Printing Courier Graphics 602.437.9700

114 74

8 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

ifc Waste Management Welcome 3 The Thunderbirds Welcome 10 Calendar of Events 14 Safety Guidelines 15 Fan Code of Conduct 17 WM Phoenix Open Unveils A New Logo 19 New Logo Maze 22 TPC Scottsdale 26 Course Map 28 Hole-by-Hole Overview 46 WMPO A to Z 55 “Live Like Mo” 58 Thunderbirds Charities 65 Military Salute 68 Thunderbirds Rising to the Challenge

84 2021 Players to Watch 100 The Mulligan 102 Get Social 108 Fan Photo Gallery 114 Amy & Gary Reunited 118 Remembering Kobe 122 On The Course and at Home – Recycle Right 124 2020 Tournament Highlights 128 WMPO Record Book

Thunderbirds & Event Management 68 118

134 Tournament Management 136 Thunderbirds Active / Life / Honorary

139 Thunderbirds Deceased

141 Special Thanks 142 Thunderbirds – Staff 143 Charity Board

TABLE CONTENTS

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:15 PM Page 9

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 9

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:15 PM Page 10

10 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:15 PM Page 11

Practice Rounds for PGA TOUR pros only 10:00 am Carlisle Companies Pro-Am AT TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course

TUESDAY FEB / 2 Practice Rounds for PGA TOUR pros only

WEDNESDAY FEB / 3 8:30 am Annexus Pro-Am AT TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course 3:30 pm Phoenix Suns Charities Shot at Glory AT TPC Scottsdale 16th hole

THURSDAY FEB / 4 7:30 am

Waste Management Phoenix Open 1ST ROUND AT TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course

FRIDAY FEB / 5 7:30 am

Waste Management Phoenix Open 2ND ROUND AT TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course

SATURDAY FEB / 6 9:00 am

Waste Management Phoenix Open 3RD ROUND AT TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course

all day green out

Everybody is encouraged to wear green to support the green/eco-sensitive efforts of the tournament.

SUNDAY FEB / 7 9:00 am

Waste Management Phoenix Open FINAL ROUND

2021

EVENT

CALENDAR

MONDAY FEB / 1

AT TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 11

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:15 PM Page 12

003 Letters Contents Events.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:15 PM Page 13

014 Covid/Conduct/Logo.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:21 AM Page 14

LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO FIGHT COVID-19 THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF ALL ATTENDEES AT THE TOURNAMENT IS IMPORTANT TO US. THE TOURNAMENT HAS UNDERTAKEN A NUMBER OF MEASURES TO HELP MITIGATE THE RISK OF TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19 AND OTHER CONTAGIOUS ILLNESSES.

REQUIRED FOR ENTRY YOU MUST BE SCREENED FOR COVID-19 SYMPTOMS YOU MUST HAVE A THERMAL CHECK TO ENSURE YOU DO NOT HAVE A FEVER OF 100.4° OR HIGHER

SAFETY GUIDELINES WHILE AT THE TOURNAMENT AT LEAST 6 FT

KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCING OF AT LEAST 6 FEET

MASKS REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES *EXCEPT WHEN ACTIVELY EATING OR DRINKING

WASH HANDS FOR 20 SECONDS OR MORE

USE HAND SANITIZER THAT HAS A MINIMUM OF 60% ALCOHOL COVER ALL COUGHS AND SNEEZES

STAY HOME IF YOU FEEL ILL DESPITE THESE MEASURES TO HELP MITIGATE THE TRANSMISSION OF COVID-19, ELIMINATION OF RISK OF EXPOSURE AND INFECTION TO COVID-19 IS NOT CURRENTLY POSSIBLE. THEREFORE, BY ATTENDING THIS EVENT, ALL ATTENDEES ASSUME THE RISK AND LIABILITY FOR ANY EXPOSURE TO COVID-19 AND ANY RELATED LOSS, LIABILITY, OR INJURY INCURRED AT THIS EVENT AT ALL TIMES.

14 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

014 Covid/Conduct/Logo.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:21 AM Page 15

FAN CODE OF CONDUCT FANS WILL RESPECT THE PLAYERS, CADDIES, OFFICIALS AND EACH OTHER The health and safety of all attendees at the Waste Management Phoenix Open is of utmost importance. The tournament is undertaking a number of measures to help mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19 and other contagious illnesses. To ensure a fun, safe and memorable experience for all, please adhere to the tournament’s Safety Precautions and Code of Conduct: Fans will enjoy the WM Phoenix Open free from disruptive behavior including, but not limited to FOUL OR ABUSIVE LANGUAGE, obscene gestures, ﬁghting, throwing objects, attempting to disrupt play or distract tournament players from their professional game. Such behavior includes taunting players, caddies and officials, volunteers or other fans. Those who engage in any of these actions are subject to immediate ejection from the tournament and subject to criminal trespass.

Tournament volunteers, ambassadors, security and police personnel are trained to intervene where necessary to help ensure that the previous expectations are met, and fans are encouraged to report any inappropriate behavior to the nearest tournament representative.

Underage fans who are found to be consuming alcoholic beverages or any fan who assists in purchasing or supplying alcoholic beverages to underage fans will be removed from the tournament grounds in a prompt and safe manner and subject to criminal prosecution.

Fans will avoid engaging in behavior that endangers the safety of tournament players, caddies, officials, volunteers or other spectators.

Fans consuming alcoholic beverages will do so in a responsible manner. Impaired or intoxicated fans will be removed from the tournament grounds and subject to criminal trespass or prosecution.

The Thunderbirds reserve the right to deny entry or eject from the tournament fans displaying inappropriate behavior.

Fans who choose not to adhere to any of these provisions will be subject to ejection without refund. Hospitality Package holders and/or their guests who are identiﬁed violating any of these provisions are subject to revocation of their hospitality suite, box and/or package for the remainder of the tournament and all future tournaments.

THE THUNDERBIRDS THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR ADHERING TO THE WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND FAN CODE OF CONDUCT. YOUR COOPERATION ENSURES THE WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN WILL CONTINUE ITS TRADITION AS NOT ONLY THE BIGGEST EVENT ON THE PGA TOUR, BUT ALSO THE BEST!

RESPECT THE PLAYERS | RESPECT THE GAME | RESPECT EACH OTHER

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 15

014 Covid/Conduct/Logo.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:21 AM Page 16

KEEPING UP WITH THE BIRDIES AND EAGLES?

014 Covid/Conduct/Logo.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:21 AM Page 17

NEW DECADE. NEW LOGO. at the waste management phoenix open

The old adage holds true – you overestimate what you can do in a year and underestimate what you can do in a decade. For The Thunderbirds and Waste Management, title sponsor of the WM Phoenix Open, 10 years at the reins of the best-attended golf tournament in the world yielded more than $95 million for Arizona charities and nine-straight tournaments without adding a single piece of trash to any landﬁll.

While “The People’s Open” has enjoyed a tremendous streak of success and splendor – and it would be easy to rest on the event’s proverbial laurels – a new decade as the WM Phoenix Open should bring with it new life, and in this case, a brand-new logo. Combining the monikers of the WM Phoenix Open’s most iconic and recognizable features, the all-new emblem pays homage to the world-famous 16th hole coliseum at TPC Scottsdale – which has its own logo – and (dare we say) the greatest title sponsor on the PGA TOUR. The design is sleek, contemporary, bold and fitting of a new chapter in the continued success of the “Greatest – and Greenest – Show on Grass.” “We were extremely excited to unveil our new tournament logo, which we feel reflects the modern look and feel of our event,” said 2021 WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman, Scott Jenkins. “The new logo is recognizable and appropriate for our world-class tournament and representative of an outstanding partnership with Waste Management – one of the very best on the PGA TOUR.” The idea for a new logo came just after 2019, when Waste Management extended its title sponsorship of the Phoenix Open through 2030, which replaced a 10-year agreement endorsed during the 2016 playing of the WM Phoenix Open. “The refreshed WM Phoenix Open logo brings together two iconic and recognizable elements, the tournament’s 16th-hole logo and our WM,” said Jim Fish, President and CEO of Waste Management. “Together, with our partners The Thunderbirds, we’ve made this a world-class tournament atop the bucket list of many fans, all while keeping sustainability front and center, producing a tournament that gives back to the community and environment.”

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 17

014 Covid/Conduct/Logo.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:21 AM Page 18

Fr e

S E I R F T U C D HAN e

G I LB E RT | P H O E N IX | S COT T S DA LE | T U C S O N Z IN B U RG E R A Z .CO M

@ EA E TZ IN B U RG E R

E X P I R E S 3/ 1 / 2 1 . L I M I T O N E VO U C H E R P E R G U E S T P E R V I S I T. C A N N OT B E C O M B I N E D W I T H A N Y OT H E R O F F E R S O R D I S C O U N T S . N O C A S H VA LU E .

014 Covid/Conduct/Logo.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:21 AM Page 19

How well do you know your way around the waste management Phoenix Open? ENTER

EXIT

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 19

014 Covid/Conduct/Logo.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:21 AM Page 20

Proud to spo onsor the Waste Mana agement Phoenix Open! O Op !

Hit 'e em long and str s aight... Enterprise custom mers, including Waste Management, trust BigPanda to prevent and resolve IT outages. IT Ops, NOC, DevOp ps and SREÂ teams keep their customers online and happy by using BigPanda to minimize alert noise, o reduce IT operrations costs and improve incide ent management. Talk to us. ww ww.BiigPanda.io

014 Covid/Conduct/Logo.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:21 AM Page 21

2:42 PM

22 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

Located in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, the PGA TOUR’s TPC Scottsdale is undeniably one of golf’s most famous courses. Offering year-round championship golf boasting panoramic views of natural terrain and the majestic McDowell Mountains, TPC Scottsdale has served as the proud host of the most-attended tournament in professional golf since 1987 – the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The tournament’s 34-year history at TPC Scottsdale and tremendous support from golf enthusiasts across the globe helped raise more than $14 million for Thunderbirds Charities in 2020 alone – a nonproﬁt dedicated to improving the quality of life of children and their families throughout Phoenix communities. During the 51 weeks of the year when the TOUR is not in town, TPC Scottsdale keeps charitable giving on the forefront by hosting events to beneﬁt deserving local and national organizations, such as Birdies for the Brave, The First Tee of Phoenix, and the JAAM Classic, which raises funds for junior adaptive athletes in the Valley. This ongoing commitment to philanthropy embraces the PGA TOUR’s mission of giving back to the communities it serves, coming to life through the TOUR’s philanthropic slogan, “Together, anything’s possible.”

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 23

HALLMARKS OF DESERT GOLF Positive guest experiences at TPC Scottsdale are reflected in significant award and accolade recognition. Consistently named by Golfweek as a “Top 30 Golf Course in Arizona” and by Golf Digest among the “Top 75 Golf Resorts in North America,” both courses at TPC Scottsdale – Stadium and Champions – offer fun layouts intertwined with year-round tournament playing conditions. The splendid par-71, 7,216-yard Jay Morrish/Tom Weiskopf-designed Stadium Course serves as host of the WM Phoenix Open. When the tournament is not in play, golfers can experience “a day in the life” of a PGA TOUR professional by testing their skills on the same immaculately manicured layout. Green parcels of turf weave through a rugged tapestry of Saguaro cacti and other natural features, with 72 deep bunkers and twisting greens creating a beautiful challenge. The City of Scottsdale completed an extensive renovation of TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course and Clubhouse in late 2014. Led by the original and famed architect, Tom Weiskopf, the project included the relocation of five greens, resurfacing of all greens, reshaping and regrassing of all tee complexes, relocation and reshaping of all bunker complexes, replacement of cart paths, and re-landscaping of desert areas. Several holes look completely new from their original design. The result is a course that's more aesthetically pleasing to resort guests and strategically more challenging to PGA TOUR players during the WM Phoenix Open. The Champions Course, a Randy Heckenkemper design, offers a true desert golf experience. Recognized as one of the top courses in the area, the Champions Course boasts more than 7,100 yards of undulating fairways, pristine greens and challenging bunkers. Considered a “hidden gem” by locals, the par-71 course

24 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

features five par 3s and a diverse variety of par 4s and par 5s creating a thrill for golfers of all skill levels. Soon after opening, the course hosted the first stage of Q-School for the PGA TOUR and the final stage of Q-School for the PGA TOUR Champions Tour in 2009 and has since hosted five more PGA TOUR Champions Tour Q-Schools.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP The first golf courses in the state of Arizona to be certified as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary System by Audubon International, TPC Scottsdale prides itself on setting the standard for environmental stewardship. Both courses were designed to fit seamlessly into the landscape, incorporating design elements that minimize impact on the environment; help to preserve and protect indigenous wildlife species; conserve natural resources; and create a serenely beautiful backdrop for unforgettable golf. TPC Scottsdale has previously been recognized as an “Environmental Leader in Golf” from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America for the Southwest Section Chapter. Currently, all of the PGA TOUR’s owned and operated TPC properties are proud certified members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf, reflecting a network-wide commitment to uphold environmental excellence and sustainability in golf course operations.

CHAMPIONSHIP GOLF IS JUST THE BEGINNING The PGA TOUR’s TPC Network of premier properties sets the industry standard for outstanding golf, superb amenities and unmatched service. The club’s two awardwinning layouts are complemented by a world-class golf shop, a celebrated Latin Restaurant & Rum Bar, Toro, beautifully appointed locker rooms and a truly one-of-a-kind PGA TOUR experience, making TPC Scottsdale a bucket list golf destination for many. Unlike other stops on the TOUR circuit, TPC Scottsdale is open to the public year-round, allowing everyday golfers to compare their tee shots to pros like 2020 champion Webb Simpson, or runner-up Tony Finau. Complimentary forecaddies are included in Stadium’s green fees between November and April, immersing guests even further into the life of a professional golfer. If once isn’t enough, the popular Annual Pass Program option is available, which provides cart-fee-only access to both TPC Scottsdale properties, as well as guest privileges, practice facility access, a personalized locker in Players Locker Room, dining discounts and more. Each year, TPC Scottsdale hosts numerous corporate golf outings, business meetings, fundraising tournaments, buddy travel vacations, and other special events. TPC Scottsdale also offers a variety of non-traditional outing packages designed to meet a spectrum of organizational objectives. No matter the occasion, the club is known for creating unforgettable experiences for all.

STAY, PLAY, REJUVENATE For travelers seeking a golf vacation with friends or family, luxurious accommodations are available at the adjacent AAA Five-Diamond Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort. The Princess offers spacious guestrooms and suites, award-winning restaurants, an exclusive golf concierge service, ﬁve pools, a full-service ﬁtness center, banquet and meeting facilities, and Well & Being Spa, ranked by Conde Nast Traveler one of the “Top 10 Best Spas in North America.” n

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 25

GENERAL INFORMATION ATM CONCESSION STAND HANDICAP SEATING

HOSPITALITY VENUES COORS LIGHT 16

RESTROOM

BLUE SECTION

SANITATION STATION

GOLD SECTION

SCOTTSDALE POLICE

GREEN SECTION

TPC MERCHANDISE PAVILION

SILVER SECTION FAIRMONT SCOTTSDALE PRINCESS CLUBHOUSE

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY FOR SPECTATORS

Avoid the following: Hilltops/high places; Golf carts; Isolated trees; Wire fences

26 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

OP E N LO AYD WAY-H GREEN

BELL ROAD

SAFETY GUIDELINES WHILE AT THE TOURNAMENT TEMPERATURE CHECKS ARE REQUIRED FOR ENTRY MASKS REQUIRED AT ALL TIMES EXCEPT WHEN ACTIVELY EATING OR DRINKING

KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCING OF AT LEAST 6 FEET Despite these measures to help mitigate the transmission of Covid-19, elimination of risk of exposure and infection to Covid-19 is not currently possible. Therefore, by attending this event, all attendees assume the risk and liability for any exposure to Covid-19 and any related loss, liability, or injury incurred at this event at all times. WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 27

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/25/21 10:59 AM Page 28

TPC SCOTTSDALE a closer look

HOLE-BY-HOLE OVERVIEW 28 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/25/21 10:59 AM Page 29

Since TPC Scottsdale underwent a renovation in 2014 directed by original architect Tom Weiskopf, scoring has settled into a pattern of peaks and valleys beginning on the front nine with the 2nd, 5th and 8th holes causing much of the heartburn. The par-5, 3rd hole, however, offers a chance to get one or two back. And on the way in, the ďŹ eld usually makes a move at the very gettable par-5 13th hole as well as the drivable 17th, while average scores on 11 and 14 consistently rank above par.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 29

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 30

HOLE view

HEATmap

50 yard grid

5 yard grid

1 403 yards || PAr 4 2020 avg. Score || 4.00 *2020 ranking || 11Th sponsored || WM

HOLE view 50 yard grid

1 HEATmap 5 yard grid

2 442 yards || PAr 4 2020 avg. Score || 4.156

2 30 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

2020 ranking || 2nd sponsored || WM *ranking is based on 1 being hardest and 18 being easiest

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 31

HOLE view

HEATmap

50 yard grid

5 yard grid

3 558 yards || PAr 5 2020 avg. Score || 4.605 2020 ranking || 17Th sponsored || Carlisle Companies

HOLE view 50 yard grid

HEATmap 5 yard grid

4 183 yards || PAr 3 2020 avg. Score || 3.038 2020 ranking || 9Th sponsored || Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

4 WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 31

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 32

HOLE view

HEATmap

50 yard grid

5 yard grid

5 470 yards || PAr 4 2020 avg. Score || 4.123 2020 ranking || 3rd sponsored || Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

HOLE view 50 yard grid

5 HEATmap 5 yard grid

6 432 yards || PAr 4 2020 avg. Score || 3.985

6 32 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

2020 ranking || 13Th sponsored || Ball

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 33

HOLE view

HEATmap

50 yard grid

5 yard grid

7 215 yards || PAr 3 2020 avg. Score || 3.088 2020 ranking || 5Th sponsored || PInG

HOLE view 50 yard grid

HEATmap 5 yard grid

8 475 yards || PAr 4 2020 avg. Score || 4.040 2020 ranking || 8Th sponsored || defero

8 WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 33

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 34

HOLE view

HEATmap

50 yard grid

5 yard grid

9 453 yards || PAr 4 2020 avg. Score || 4.020 2020 ranking || 10Th sponsored || BVA, Inc OUT || 3,631 yArdS / PAr 35 2020 AVG. SCORE || 35.055 HOLE view 50 yard grid

9 HEATmap 5 yard grid

10 475 yards || PAr 4 2020 avg. Score || 3.987

10 34 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

2020 ranking || 12Th sponsored || Quarles & Brady

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 35

HOLE view

HEATmap

50 yard grid

5 yard grid

11 472 yards || PAr 4 2020 avg. Score || 4.189 2020 ranking || 1ST sponsored || Annexus

HOLE view 50 yard grid

HEATmap 5 yard grid

12 192 yards || PAr 3 2020 avg. Score || 3.050 2020 ranking || 7Th sponsored || Ford

12 WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 35

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 36

HOLE view

HEATmap

50 yard grid

5 yard grid

13 558 yards || PAr 5 2020 avg. Score || 4.516 2020 ranking || 18Th sponsored || Miller Coors

HOLE view 50 yard grid

13 HEATmap 5 yard grid

14 490 yards || PAr 4 2020 avg. Score || 4.123

14 36 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

2020 ranking || 3rd sponsored || Avnet

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:07 PM Page 37

HOLE view 50 yard grid

15 The reachable par-5 15th often serves as the launch pad for the championship, especially in the final round. In the case of Brooks Koepka, No. 15 arguably marked the beginning of a hall of fame career for the four-time Major champion. A relative unknown at the time of his first career win at the WM Phoenix Open in 2015, the then second-year player jarred a 50-foot eagle putt on 15 from the fringe to edge out three others by one stroke.

15 HEATmap 5 yard grid

553 yards || PAR 5 2020 avg. Score || 4.642 2020 ranking || 16TH sponsored || M Culinary

15 WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 37

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 38

HOLE view 50 yard grid

16 Although the challenge of the par-3 16th is modest at best, the gallery certainly is not. Anything even close to the hole riles up rousing applause. On the nine occasions when the ball actually found the hole, it’s bedlam. none louder than Tiger’s ace in 1997, and none more meaningful than Jarrod Lyle’s ace in 2011, a hole in one at the stadium is an unforgettable treat for anyone lucky enough to be there when it happens.

16 HEATmap 5 yard grid

163 yards || PAr 3 2020 avg. Score || 2.945 2020 ranking || 14Th sponsored || Oakley

16 38 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:42 AM Page 39

HOLE view 50 yard grid

17 The drama never ends on the drivable par-4 17th. In 2012, Kyle Stanley recovered from a prickly lie under a cholla cactus to hold on for the win after a heart-wrenching collapse the week before. In 2016, No. 17 gave Rickie Fowler ﬁts after he landed in the water during regulation play and the playoff, opening the door for Hideki Matsuyama’s win. Fowler bounced back in 2019 with four birdies on No. 17 en route to his victory. But the biggest moment came in 2001 when Andrew Magee made a hole in one from 332 yards.

IT’S THE ONLY ACE ON A PAR 4 IN PGA TOUR HISTORY.

TRIVIA:

Name the player whose putter Magee’s ball ricocheted off prior to landing in the bottom of the cup?

HEATmap 5 yard grid

332 yards || pAR 4 2020 avg. Score || 3.741 2020 ranking || 15TH sponsored || WM

17 WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 39

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 40

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 41

HOLE view 50 yard grid

18 Last year Webb Simpson took the championship with three straight birdies – 17 and 18 in regulation, and then 18 again in a playoff with Tony Finau. Similarly in 2008, J.B. holmes pulled even with Phil Mickelson on the 72nd hole, thanks to a 350-yard drive that set up the tying birdie. Then, on the ﬁrst playoff hole, holmes uncorked an even longer 359-yarder that led to the winning birdie. A plaque now marks the spot where holmes’ titanic, and clutch, drive settled.

18 HEATmap 5 yard grid

442 yards || PAr 4 2020 avg. Score || 4.068 2020 ranking || 6Th sponsored || WM IN || 3,630 yArdS / PAr 36 2020 AVG. SCORE || 35.262

TOTAL || 7,261 yArdS / PAr 71 2020 AVG. SCORE || 70.317 TRIVIA: Tom Byrum WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 41

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:44 AM Page 42

AN INTERVIEW WITH

GARY WOODLAND SJ During the 91-day hiatus from PGA TOUR competition that included the cancelation of 11 tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the best players in the world

Tell us about the back nine at TPC Scottsdale and the stadium stretch – specifically the iconic 16th hole. How do you approach the course and the crowds?

found themselves with a little more time on their hands than

normal. And with golf course access restricted for the first

You try to block it out because you can hear the noise on 14 and 15, but you can also hear No. 1. You can hear 16 from all over the golf course. In 2009 when I played there they booed you for missing the green. Now, if you make par they boo you. It's an exciting hole and one where you have to control your emotions. You're checking the wind more than anything on 14 and 15 just trying to see where that wind is coming from, because when you get into that stadium, it's a little hard to see what is going on so you have to trust what you're doing. It kind of reminds me a lot of No. 12 at Augusta National, because there on 11, you're really trying to find that wind for that tee shot because when you get down into those trees you can't feel it. It's a similar thing on 16 at TPC Scottsdale. They have those back pins that are brutally hard especially when the greens get firmed up. There are a lot of pin placements on that hole where you don't want to miss on certain

time in recent history, some of the world’s best players elected to take a break from the grind of professional golf to spend time with immediate family and catch up with friends via digital applications like Zoom. The virtual meeting platform went from a tiny blip on the tech radar to a household name seemingly overnight, and for Scott Jenkins, 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open tournament chairman, it provided a new way to reach out to some friends of “The People’s Open” including 2018 WM Phoenix Open champion Gary Woodland. Woodland went into detail about his WM Phoenix Open win, his approach to tackling TPC Scottsdale and what it’s like to win in front of family and friends.

SCOTT JENKINS Your first year at TPC Scottsdale was 2009 - take us through that experience the first time.

GARY WOODLAND I Monday qualified, which on the PGA TOUR is already hard, let alone the WM Phoenix Open. That might be the hardest one to get in because everyone wants to play. I played great. Got in through the Monday qualifier and I think it was the first cut I've ever made. The win [in 2019] was a great week for me because – Phoenix is obviously a great golf tournament – it's a bigger entertainment value than any other tournament we play on the PGA TOUR. I have a lot of friends and family that come out, so it's always been a special week for me. It was the first cut I made on TOUR, and in 2011, I got my first exemption on the PGA TOUR and I played that week, so it's kind of been a ritual where all my friends and family come out.

42 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

spots. It's a hole you don't want to chip on. You want to get it in the middle of the green. Birdie is great. Take your par and get out of there.

SJ The world-famous 16th hole isn’t the only fun and exciting hole at The People’s Open. What about the short par-4 17th?

GW 17, I think, is one of the best drivable holes on the PGA TOUR. Only time someone carded an ace on a par 4. It gives you a chance to make birdie – or to make eagle – but also if you get out of position you can make a big number. I think the risk/reward is huge. I've always been one, with my length, to go for that green. Sometimes I'm not trying to knock it on so much as I'm trying to cover that bunker in the middle of the fairway and run it just short of the green. If you're just short, you can get to just about every pin. And that back left pin might be one of the hardest pin

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 43

placements on TOUR. It's back there on that little nook. Runs off to the water left. You want to miss your tee shot right, but not to that pin. It's a great hole that makes you think and makes you hit a good shot. I birdied that hole when I won in 2018, which was a huge deal for me because I was one-back at the time. So, I knocked it just short of the green and to that front left pin – the perfect position. I had a lot of green to work with and I was able to get up and down [for birdie]. I think it's one of the best drivable par-4 holes on the PGA TOUR and one, after you make par on 16, a hole you're happy to make birdie on.

SJ Walk us through the finishing stretch in 2018 for your third win on TOUR.

GW I was so juiced up! I had just birdied 15 and 16 – the first time I birdied 16 since 2011 so it had been a long time – and I birdied 17, so I had so much adrenaline going into 18. The water wasn't really in play. I had a little flip lob wedge into the green, ended up hitting a good shot and making par. Chez made birdie on 17 and 18, so we ended up in a playoff. After regulation, I didn't have as much adrenaline so that tee shot became a little more difficult because the water

is there. They did a great job making those bunkers more difficult if you miss it left. Before, you could just bomb it left and you had an easy flip wedge there. They did a great job tightening that hole up. For me, I wanted to avoid the bunkers on the left, and unfortunately, I hit it in those bunkers in the playoff. But I got a lucky break and a good bounce and was able to hit a wedge just short of the green and par was good enough to win.

SJ Your family and friends have a ritual to come out to Phoenix every year to watch you play. What was it like winning in front of family and friends in 2018?

GW It was awesome. Like I said, my family and friends don't get to come out to a lot of tournaments. That's one that they make kind of a ritual every year. We all meet there and we get to spend some time together there. You throw in Super Bowl Sunday after the tournament and it’s awesome. In Kansas, a lot of people avoid the winter and come out to Scottsdale. It's a great week and it's a great time. To be able to share the win with them and watch the Super Bowl, it was just a great week. n

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 43

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 44

2021 Hole by Hole/Gary.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:38 AM Page 45

What do you think,

recycle or compost?

Well…it’s an aluminum can, so as long as we pour out the liquid first,

it’s recycling all the way.

RECYCLE RIGHT No food or liquid in the recycling.

Learn more at wm.com/recycleright

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:55 AM Page 46

Amy Bockerstette While playing with PGA TOUR players Gary Woodland and Matt Kuchar during a Tuesday practice round in 2019, Special Olympics Arizona golfer Amy Bockerstette hit her par-3 tee shot 117 yards into a greenside bunker, splashed her sand shot to within 10 feet of the pin, and made her par putt in front of a roaring crowd. The “I GOT THIS” Foundation was born out of this moment, which was captured on video by the PGA TOUR and has since gone viral, receiving more than 44 million views on social media platforms.

The “John Bridger” Players Bridge Named after longtime executive director of The Thunderbirds John Bridger after he retired in 2020, the players bridge connecting the 18th green to the clubhouse has supported the confident strides of past WM Phoenix Open champions like Gary Woodland, Rickie Fowler and Webb Simpson walking up to sign their winning scorecard.

Charity The Thunderbirds – hosts of the WM Phoenix Open – always crown a champion at the end of the event, but the true winners are the hundreds of Arizona charities that benefit from the proceeds of the tournament. The 2020 tournament raised $14 million for local charities, and in its history the WM Phoenix Open has generated more than $161 million. ALL proceeds from every tournament are awarded to local charities in need.

46 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

WMPO FROM

A Z TO

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:14 PM Page 47

This one is simple, folks. Always drink responsibly and designate a driver when visiting the WM Phoenix Open. Read further for more information.

E Make sure to engage with the WM Phoenix Open on social media to keep up with all tournament happenings and for a chance to win cool swag. The more you engage, the more likely you are to win. @WMPhoenixOpen #WMPO #RESPECT #thepeoplesopen #greenestshow.

F Perennial fan favorite Rickie Fowler, who finally notched a win at â€œThe Peoples Openâ€? in 2019, will return to TPC Scottsdale looking to earn his second crystal Thunderbird Trophy. Fowler has finished in the Top-5 four times in 11 appearances, including two runner-up finishes to go with his 2019 victory.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 47

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:10 PM Page 48

Gary Woodland Gary Woodland bested Chez Reavie in a sudden-death playoff to take top honors at the 2018 WM Phoenix Open, but even more memorable for Woodland was his absolutely incredible and touching interaction with social media superstar, the aforementioned Amy Bockerstette, on the iconic 16th hole in 2019. Oh, and he also won the U.S. Open four months later.

Holes in One Over the 33 WM Phoenix Open tournaments hosted at TPC Scottsdale, there have been 28 carded holes in one. Two stand above the rest – the first and ONLY par-4 ace in PGA TOUR history by Andrew Magee on the short par-4 17th in 2001, and, of course, Tiger’s “raise the roof” hole in one at the famed 16th hole in 1997. And just for fun, see if you can name all four players who holed out from the tee box in 1990.

Chad Campbell HOLE-IN-ONE | 2016 | 7TH

Brendan Steele HOLE-IN-ONE | 2011 | 12TH

Jack Maguire HOLE-IN-ONE | 2016 | 12TH

Tiger Woods HOLE-IN-ONE | 1997 | 16TH

Andrew Magee HOLE-IN-ONE | 2001 | 17TH

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:55 AM Page 49

Information Information – as in where do I get it? Daily pairings sheets are all digital this year and can be found online at WMPhoenixOpen.com or on the PGA TOUR app. They help take the guesswork out of finding your way around the golf course, as well as where and when all of your favorite PGA TOUR professionals are teeing off for the day, who they are playing with and their scores to date. Download the official PGA TOUR app for special spectator info, leaderboard and scores, and much more. Video boards throughout the course are also available with scores and other information.

Jarrod Lyle The Aussie became a fan favorite of the WM Phoenix Open after his hole-in-one on the famed 16th hole in 2011. It wasn’t the shot as much as his reaction that kept the crowd going nuts – and it’s a shot that is replayed over and over throughout Lyle’s career and in WM Phoenix Open history. Lyle lost his battle with leukemia on Aug. 8, 2018, but his legacy will live on forever among fans of the WM Phoenix Open.

The King – Arnold Palmer Arnold Palmer may be gone, but his spirit lives on in the desert as the only player to win three consecutive Waste Management Phoenix Open titles in 1961, 1962 and 1963. And during that stretch he also won five of his seven Major Championships. Jarrod Lyle HOLE-IN-ONE | 2011 | 16TH

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 49

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:55 AM Page 50

Mask Up Arizona It's going to take a commitment from every Arizonan to do their part to contain the spread of COVID-19 by taking the precautions we know work - like wearing a mask. Be part of our fight against the pandemic, mask up, social distance, wash your hands often and we’ll get through this together. #MaskUpArizona

Nicklaus The 1964 Waste Management Phoenix Open champion Jack Nicklaus – nicknamed the Golden Bear – is widely considered one of the greatest golfers to ever play the game. Over his more than 25-year career, Nicklaus won 73 times on the PGA TOUR including a record 18 Major Championships. He finished in the Top-5 at the Phoenix Open three times, including his win in 1964, runner-up finish in 1962 and a third place finish in 1963.

Official HASHTAGS Official hashtags of the WM Phoenix Open are #WMPO, #THEPEOPLESOEPEN #RESPECT and #GREENESTSHOW

Annexus Pro-Am Arguably the best-attended Pro-Am on the PGA TOUR, the Annexus Pro-Am pairs the world’s best golfers with sports legends, rock stars, local business leaders and celebrities on the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course, just one day before the WM Phoenix Open. The event is sponsored by Annexus, a Scottsdale-based retirement solutions company, and has featured celebrities like Larry Fitzgerald, Tim Tebow, Dierks Bentley, Dude Perfect and more.

QUIET

RESPECT

Please! You wouldn’t want people coming to your office and being loud and obnoxious while you try to work, right? Please be quiet while players are hitting their shots. Unless you’re encouraged by them to make some noise (especially on the 16th hole, of course!)

Respect goes a long way, especially toward the players, volunteers, vendors, security staff and your fellow spectators.

RESPECT THE PLAYERS RESPECT THE GAME RESPECT EACH OTHER #RESPECT

Social Media Boy, that escalated quickly. Social media went from fad to fab real quick and has since become a dominant force in our day-to-day lives. It also happens to be one of the best ways to get WM Phoenix Open tournament information like player updates, spectator info, fun stories, Thunderbirds Charities updates and, of course, the best memes on TOUR. Follow @WMPhoenix Open on your favorite platforms.

50 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:55 AM Page 51

Lefty Phil Mickelson

Lefty, as in the one and only Phil Mickelson. The long-time crowd favorite and Arizona State University graduate has three Waste Management Phoenix Open wins (1996, 2005 and 2013) and 11 Top-10 finishes to his credit during his record 30 appearances. The southpaw has twice shot a round of 60 (2005 and 2013), tying him with Marc Calcavecchia (2001) and Grant Waite (1995) for the all-time low round.

THUNDERBIRDS The Thunderbirds have been the driving force behind the WM Phoenix Open since 1937. The 55 active Thunderbirds and nearly 300 Life Thunderbirds play a wide variety of roles each year by making sure the tournament runs smoothly. Theyâ€™re easily recognizable thanks to their distinctive royal blue, long-sleeve tunics, silver and turquoise necklaces and concho belts.

Uber Uber and Lyft ride share pickup is conveniently located just east of the main entrance on Bell Road and 82nd street.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 51

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:55 AM Page 52

THANK YOU TO OUR FRONT-LINE WORKERS & FIRST RESPONDERS FOR ALL YOU DO TO KEEP US SAFE!

PHOENIX TUCSON CHICAGO LOS ANGELES

www.PROEM.org

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:55 AM Page 53

waste management The title sponsor of “The Greenest Show on Grass” has implemented innovative and historic recycling programs, which includes 100% of tournament waste being diverted through recycling, composting, donation, reuse or creating energy since 2013. In 2019, Waste Management and The Thunderbirds renewed their title sponsorship and extended this great partnership through 2030. #greenestshow

Extra Golf playoff finishes There have been 18 total playoffs so far in the tournament’s history, with back-to-backs taking place in 2008 & 2009; 1995 & 1996; and 1960 & 1961. More recently, playoffs decided the WM Phoenix Open three straight years from 2016-2018. The 2016 and 2017 editions saw four extra playoff holes with two-time champion Hideki Maysuyama edging out Rickie Fowler (2016) and Webb Simpson (2017) for the playoff wins. More recently, Webb Simpson bested Tony Finau in a playoff in 2020 while Gary Woodland bested Chez Reave in 2018.

YOU the fans You the fans are what make this the greatest tournament on the PGA TOUR and truly “The People’s Open.” Thank you for being the greatest fans in golf!

Zero Waste Event For eight years in a row, Title Sponsor Waste Management has diverted 100 percent of all waste away from landfills, making the Waste Management Phoenix Open the largest and best attended Zero-Waste event in the world.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 53

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:55 AM Page 54

EVERY WEEK IS ANOTHER CHANCE AT GREATNESS GREATNESS GREATNESS GREATNESS

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:10 PM Page 55

LIVE LIKE MO

BUILDS ON LEGACY INSPIRED BY

HONORARY THUNDERBIRD MIKE MCQUAID, SR.

Since the pandemic has taken so much from so many, it only seems fair to give something back. Three Valley eighth graders ﬁgured out a way to do just that. Inspired by the late Honorary Thunderbird Mike McQuaid Sr. and his lifetime of love and compassion, they created the motto “Live Like Mo” in McQuaid’s honor. Anderson Kopp (son of longtime Thunderbird Kevin Kopp), Zack Koss and Jude Foster, classmates at St. Theresa Catholic School, made logoed COVID-19 masks inscribed with the letters LLM. In the last six months, they sold nearly 700 of those masks with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the André House of Arizona. In fact, just in time for Christmas, they presented the charitable organization with a $10,000 donation. “It is an honor to be here today to carry on the legacy of Mr. Mike McQuaid Sr. – better known as ‘Big Mo’,” Anderson said during a check presentation ceremony at André House. “‘Big Mo’ was passionate about helping the homeless and poor for so many years, and he gave thousands of homeless people a second chance at life.”

Anderson then handed the mic to his pal Zack, who recognized André House as a beacon of hope and opportunity while recalling the countless years “Big Mo” served at André House as a volunteer and advocate for the homeless. “André House is very near and dear to Big Mo’s heart and the reason why we chose it as the recipient of our donation,” Zack said. Jude then took to the podium to “walk the walk, just like Mo did, and by doing our part to keep his legacy alive and ﬂourishing.” “In honoring the life of an extraordinary man, Big Mo, we are honored here today to present this check for $10,000 to the André House,” Jude said. Receiving the donation on behalf of André House, Executive Director Father Dan Ponisciak tied it all together with a timely ribbon of the Season of Advent, meant to be a season of hope. “The three of you inspire me with hope,” he said. “It has been a long 10 months. Over the course of that time, we lost an icon, a leader, someone who dedicated his life to serving those who are often ignored and invisible. Mike lived his life and loved others. Unfortunately, now, we have lost him. But if you look around the room, Mike is here within each one of us, because of his effect on all of us. All of us are called on to follow the way he has set out for us. The three of you made a decision to follow in Mike’s footsteps. The three of you made a decision to intentionally love, and that brings me hope.” Father Mike wasn’t the only proud father. “I am very proud to say that these boys did the work,” said Kevin Kopp .“The parents did help with some direction, but this was a great real-life project for these boys and they did all the work in setting up the Venmo, writing up all the marketing materials, creating a mission statement, creating the logo and spearheading all of the sales efforts.” “We have kept Big Mo’s family – Mike Jr. (another longtime Thunderbird), Molly and Peter [family of Mike Sr.] – abreast of their progress,” Kopp added. “It has been a great joy for them to watch.” The boys admired Big Mo and cherished one of his favorite refrains, the Golden Rule – “Treat others the way you wish to be treated.” Their goal is not only to help those in need, but to inspire others to “Live Like Mo.” A lofty goal, to be sure, and $10,000 is no small feat! n

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 55

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:43 AM Page 56

HOMETOWN HERO

CHEZ REAVIE SJ

From Standard Bearer to TOUR Pro ASU Sun Devil legend and local fan favorite Chez Reavie recently sat down with 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open tournament chairman and proud Arizona Wildcat alum Scott Jenkins to talk about a number of topics including the strange 2020 golf season, and his record number of aces on TOUR. They also went on about his experiences at the WM Phoenix Open, which started when he was a standard bearer for some of the PGA TOUR’s best as a youngster. Here he is, a two-time winner on the PGA TOUR, 2018 WM Phoenix Open runner up, ASU Sun Devil standout, the golf pride of Mesa and Dobson High School Hall of Famer – Chez Reavie.

You’ve had some real success at TPC Scottsdale. Tell us how you approach playing in the WM Phoenix Open and what do you think has led to your success at “The People’s Open”.

CR The first few years I didn't have that success you’re talking about. I think, for me, I was being too aggressive early on, especially from the fairways. I was being too aggressive and making stupid bogeys. The last four or five years, I've been picking my spots better – being aggressive when I have good numbers and picking my spots in the middle of the green when I was out of position or had a bad number. The difference is I made the same amount of birdies, just without the bogeys. That's why I've been toward the top of the leaderboard as of late.

SCOTT JENKINS Obviously, the 2020 PGA TOUR season was very different from previous years. What was it like playing without fans for the majority of the season?

chez reavie I'm a social guy, I like saying hi to people and hearing the cheers when you hit good shots. It’s just something we've really missed this year. The PGA TOUR normally has great energy and not having it is really strange. My game got a little rough around the edges for a bit there, but I’m back to hitting nice, tight draws.

SJ Waste Management Ambassador Charley Hoffman calls you the Par-3 Assassin thanks to your ball striking abilities. What do you think makes you so successful on par-3s?

CR It's just distance control with my irons. I'm a shorter hitter on TOUR, so I just have to be dialed in and make sure the ball contact is really solid. That's how I control distance. I have 23 aces in my life. The first one was at Riverview – a little 9-hole course in Mesa – when I was 12 years old. I think I hit a five iron from 115 yards. The last one was at the WGC in Mexico.

56 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

You birdied the final two holes to force a playoff in 2018. Tell us what that was like and what it’s like playing in the WM Phoenix Open as someone who grew up in the area.

CR It was an amazing experience. To me, the WM Phoenix Open is a Major championship. I grew up carrying signboards there and I’ve been at the tournament nearly every year of my entire life. To birdie the last two holes to force a playoff was a dream come true. I think I got too fired up when I made that putt to force the playoff and I said ‘wait a minute I didn't win. I still have to play another hole.’ I think my emotions got to me a little bit and I got too excited. Honestly, it was a great experience and something I would never change and hopefully I'll get another chance to win.

SJ Local connection here as you were a standard bearer. How did you land that gig?

CR My parents said you can go carry the sign if your grades are good. So, they used it to motivate me – kick me in the butt so, I made sure my grades were good each year so I could do it. I have a ton of great memories. I carried the sign for both Payne Stewart and Phil Mickelson. They seemed like giants to me when I was a kid – like they weren’t even

044 AtoZ/Mo/Chez.qxp_. 1/21/21 9:55 AM Page 57

human. My first event was in 2006 and it was a dream come true. All of a sudden, I'm walking the fairways like I did as a kid, but now I'm counting the score. Hitting balls on the range and seeing The Thunderbirds were all rooting me on. It was hard when I was younger because I put so much pressure on myself. I wanted to play so well in front of my family and friends, so it took me a year or two to calm down and say ‘just go play golf the way you play.’ After that, I started to play a little better.

CR It’s funny. They even know your parent’s name or your sister’s name. And when you miss the green, they say 'Van Reavie taught you how to hit better than that!' You can tell they've read up on you and know what they're talking about.

Scottsdale) and how do you deal with the fans and the crowds?

As far as the PGA TOUR is concerned, it doesn’t get much more ‘Hometown Hero’ than Chez Reavie. Walk us through your journey as a Phoenix area golfer.

First, I love it. Even when I hit a bad shot and I get booed I'm laughing and enjoying the moment. It's obviously better when you hit a good shot and you can feel the vibrations of everyone going nuts in the stands. I start to feel it on 15 tee. I get up there on the fairway on 15 and you can hear everyone talking and the screams and the yells and that fun stuff. When you putt out on 15, you take a few deep breaths to get your heart rate down so you don't hit a pitching wedge over the green.

It's unbelievable. I got to know The Thunderbirds during junior golf because I grew up here in Arizona. Then, I got to ASU and I saw them helping us with fundraisers and creating charity auctions to raise money. The Thunderbirds help everyone in every facet. And then I graduate form ASU and get on TOUR and there they are again supporting me through sponsor exemptions. And now, they built an amazing practice facility for ASU at Papago. It’s honestly the best in the world. To be a college kid and come in and be able to use that to help yourself get better and follow your dreams to win on TOUR and be the best in the world is just awesome. How much The Thunderbirds give is incredible. n

How do you approach the “Stadium Stretch” (15, 16, 17, 18 at TPC

SJ Our fans - especially on 16 - do their homework with the chants. Anything stick out to you as clever?

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 57

058 T Charity/Military/Hoff.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:20 PM Page 58

58 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

058 T Charity/Military/Hoff.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:20 PM Page 59

The Thunderbirds Hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open, The Thunderbirds raised more than $14 million through proceeds from the 2020 tournament. This figure surpassed last year’s record of $13.2 million and is the ninth straight year of breaking a record for charitable dollars raised in a single year. In its history, dating back to 1932, the Phoenix Open has raised more than $161 million for charities in Arizona. The Thunderbirds and the Waste Management Phoenix Open have raised more than $95 million for local charities since 2010 when Waste Management became title sponsor. To put this in perspective, in Waste Management’s first year as title sponsor, the tournament raised $4.4 million, and in its 11th year increased that by nearly $10 million. “We’re extremely proud each and every time we make this announcement, especially when we can announce, for the ninth-straight year, a record-breaking, single-year charitable contribution,” said 2020 Tournament Chairman Tim Woods. “Of course, this can only be possible with the incredible public engagement around our event, the help and support of our corporate partners and especially our title sponsor, Waste Management. It’s because of them and the greatest fans in golf we can continue to impact hundreds of Arizona charities each year.”

Read on for highlights from Thunderbirds Charities’ Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 grantees.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 59

054 T Charity/Military/Hoff.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:14 AM Page 60

arizona helping hands Arizona Helping Hands provides essential needs for children in foster care through programs that promote safety, permanency, and health. Their vision is that every child in foster care is safe and loved and their services remain unduplicated, supporting children in foster care with items including beds, cribs, clothing, diapers, and hygiene. Arizona Helping Hands also provides backpacks with school supplies to help children succeed in school and fulfills birthday dreams to help raise self-esteem by showing children they are special and loved.

Thunderbirds Charities provided emergency support to Arizona Helping Hands to help families and children in foster care struggling to provide the most basic needs. “To be able to provide our most vulnerable, the children in foster care, with the basic needs such as twin beds, cribs, diapers and wipes is gratifying – and what our organization is all about,” says Tim Woods, President of Thunderbirds Charities. “We are proud to support Arizona Helping Hands in their work in making a difference to the children in foster care and families who need us now more than ever.” Arizona Helping Hands received a $50,000 grant to provide essential needs to children in foster care during the COVID19 pandemic by fulfilling emergency requests from families providing the foster care. Arizona Helping Hands is committed to continue serving Arizona’s most vulnerable population, the 14,000+ children in foster care, and has collaborated with the Department of Child Safety and 15 other foster care organizations to serve as an emergency response network. Arizona Helping Hands is grateful for the generosity and leadership of Thunderbirds Charities during this difficult time.

Keep Phoenix Beautiful Keep Phoenix Beautiful’s vision is to create a vibrant Phoenix where each neighborhood is a healthy, beautiful place to live. A variety of events are held throughout the year to serve the community from gardening classes, neighborhood cleanups and community gardens. Through these initiatives, Keep Phoenix Beautiful provides the tools to empower communities across the Valley to improve the overall quality of life in their neighborhoods.

60 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

054 T Charity/Military/Hoff.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:14 AM Page 61

Thunderbirds Charities recent grant will support Keep Phoenix Beautiful by providing shade, storage and equipment needs at the Mountain View Park Community Garden. A storage container will be built to City Parks standards and provide a needed and well-organized way to store all the garden tools, supplies and equipment. A new shade sail will provide a welcome respite for the After-School Program students that come to the garden during the later afternoon to tend to their garden bed. It will also serve as a lovely shaded sitting area for community gardeners as well as park visitors who want to just take a moment to enjoy the garden and the beautiful view. “We are so thankful to Thunderbirds Charities for supporting local initiatives,” said Tom Waldeck, President/CEO of Keep Phoenix Beautiful. “There is no question, that they leave an undeniable mark that is felt throughout our entire community.” Keep Phoenix Beautiful is honored to be among many local non-profit organizations that have received support from Thunderbirds Charities, an outstanding philanthropic partnership.

Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun is dedicated to improving lives and preserving affordable housing for low-income homeowners. By providing critical repairs and accessibility modifications at no cost to income-eligible seniors, veterans, families with young children, and those with disabilities, individuals can stay in their homes and communities become safer and healthier. Thunderbirds Charities has supported their Safe at Home Program for many years, which provides much-needed home repairs for homeowners in need. Recently a group of Thunderbirds lent their time and talents to build a wheelchair ramp for a woman with mobility issues.

WWMM PPHHOOEENNIIXX OOPPEENN 22002211 || 6611

058 T Charity/Military/Hoff.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:19 PM Page 62

junior achievement Junior Achievement of Arizona serves more than 80,000 students each year by integrating programs into the classroom to help connect real world concepts such as money management, work readiness and entrepreneurial thinking. As students have transitioned to digital learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Junior Achievement found a need to augment and convert their curriculum to an online format as opposed to paper-based to reach students outside of the classroom. Their programming reach is Kindergarten through high school in thousands of classrooms across 400 Arizona schools. The need to continue to reach students, no matter how they are learning, is crucial now more than ever. The funding provided by Thunderbirds Charities will specifically support the conversion of our paper-based curriculum kits to interactive digital lessons, augmenting Junior Achievement’s education and delivery model to reach students outside the classroom. Junior Achievement has curriculum kits for every grade, and each kit contains six to seven lessons that each run 45 minutes to one hour.

Esperanca Esperanca’s mission is to improve health and provide hope through disease prevention, education, and treatment for everyone. Through their core values of Compassion, Integrity, Cultural Awareness and Tenacity they provide treatment and care regardless of the recipient’s walk of life. While Esperanca works around the globe, over the past two decades, Esperança’s domestic program has served more than 30,000 children, adults, and seniors in the most vulnerable communities of Maricopa County, ensuring they receive culturally appropriate preventive health education for chronic disease and illness. The $25,000 grant from Thunderbirds Charities will be used to further support Esperança’s health literacy programs for at-risk, low-income Latino children, adults, and seniors in the Phoenix area. These health literacy programs include Salud con Sabor Latino (Health with a Latin Flavor), Diabetes Empowerment Education Program, Platicas (30-minute talks on various health topics), and oral health education for all ages. Almost 4,000 participants are projected to be served through these programs.

62 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

054 T Charity/Military/Hoff.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:14 AM Page 63

phoenix police foundation The Phoenix Police Foundation addresses unmet capital needs of the City of Phoenix Police Department (PPD), providing financial assistance in crisis situations and recognizing those who protect our communities. Thunderbirds Charities supports the various youth-based programs sponsored by the PPD, such as the Phoenix Police Department Cadet Program, Police Activities League, Hoops for Hope, and Youth Experience. These programs provide youth with the opportunity to gain leadership skills, law enforcement training and mentorship. The Police Activities League brings together police officers and boys and girls through sports and school-related activities. All the programs provided by the PPD enhance and build on the relationships that police officers have with the youth of their community. “This grant is an investment in our future. Today’s teenagers are tomorrow’s leaders. As officers and young people have a

chance to work side-by-side, they build a camaraderie that lifts our entire community,” said Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams. The Cadet Program provides young adults age 14 to 21 with leadership skills and law enforcement training with an emphasis on the importance of community relationships. The Police Activities League brings together police officers and boys and girls through sports and school-related activities to teach youth the importance of integrity, respect, discipline, self-esteem, and teamwork. Hoops for Hope is a year-round mentorship program for underserved young women. The Youth Experience is a week-long camp held twice in the summer that exposes students entering 7th and 8th grade to what occurs in police work every day and provides the ability to build relationships with police officers.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 63

054 T Charity/Military/Hoff.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:14 AM Page 64

WHAT DOES $

160 MILLION IN CHARITABLE GIVING FEEL LIKE?

ONE VICTORY AT A TIME. TIME AFTER TIME. IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITIES is one of the missions of The Thunderbirds, hosts of the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Thunderbirds Charities has gifted more than $160 million to Arizona charities over 85 years, but the true impact is expressed one story at a time. Thanks for your continued support of the WM Phoenix Open. For more Arizona success stories, visit www.ThunderbirdsCharities.org

Scott Jenkins, Thunderbird

054 T Charity/Military/Hoff.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:14 AM Page 65

Military Salute The Thunderbirds listed here have served our nation through military service in the following branches: United States Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Army Air Corps, United States Air Force, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, United States Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, United States Navy, Navy Reserve, United States Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve. Many are decorated war veterans. All are heroes. Many of these men have been involved in land, sea and air combat. Some have been shot down, seriously wounded and even one was in a World War II German prisoner of war camp. Jason Adler Harry S. Amster Hazen S. Arnold Louis P. Benedict Leon F. Bentley Kemp Biddulph William W. Bohnert Herbert J. Bool William T. Boutell John T. Braddock Ben F. Brooks Preston T. Brown Robert M. Calfee Phil Calihan, Sr. Phil Calihan, Jr. Michael J. Carter Thomas E. Cunningham William R. Cutter Ralph L. Diamond George W. Druliner Karl Eller Robert N. Ewing P. Robert Fannin Robert L. Fletcher T. Patrick Flood James S. Frazier Warner A. Gabel, Jr.

William T. Garland John E. Gaskin Barry M. Goldwater Leslie Heitel Lynn Hester Terry J. Hoeschler Richard E. Hollenbeck Thomas R. Hornaday Leonard W. Huck Jim M. Hunter C. Pete R. Igoe R. Neil Irwin Robert S. Jackson John T. Katsenes Richard G. Kleindienst Howard E. Kraft Everett W. Kyle Peter A. Ladigo Luke S. Larson George E. Leonard H.J. Lewkowitz J. Daryl Lippincott Herbert J. Louis John J. Low Daniel A. Madison James R. Marshall Robert L. Matthews

John R. Maus Gerald W. McGrath John McKone Edward W. McLoone J. Byrl Meeks Arthur S. Mehagian Joe Melczer John E. Miller William E. Miller James M. Murphy A.H. Neal Edward V. O'Malley E. Payne Palmer Wallace Perry Gene E. Rice Thomas W. Richardson Warren C. Ridge Clark Rorbach Harry Rosenzweig Thomas H. Ross Jason C. Rowley Jason S. Schechterle JayD Schlueter Tim Sexson Ralston L. Shannon James P. Simmons Lawrence A. Spitalny

J. Robert Stark Claude P. Stephens Lawrence M. Stewart Walter Switzer Terence W. Thomas Tracy R. Thomas Michael E. Tiffany Webb Todd Edward Tovrea Richard A. Van Arsdale Thomas A. Van Arsdale Kenneth J. Vegors John M. Vivian James N. Wentworth Timothy T. Woods

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 65

058 T Charity/Military/Hoff.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:19 PM Page 66

ON THE CLOCK WITH

CHARLEY HOFFMAN Ever wonder where some of the PGA TOUR’s best go to eat

Favorite Band?

when they’re in Scottsdale for the Waste Management Phoenix Open? How about their favorite bands or what they

Favorite band, all time? That's a good question. U2 would be

do in their free time? It’s hard to imagine the world’s best

the big band, I mean you got Pearl Jam and Bob Marley. I

golfers as regular people thanks to their superhuman abilities

mean, I love live music, going to live music venues and I

on the golf course, but they have unique tastes and favorites

wouldn’t stop there and those three bands. That's for sure.

just like the rest of us. Check out this segment of “On the Clock” with 2021 Tournament Chairman Scott Jenkins asking rapid fire questions to none

Speaking of music, what’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?

other than Waste Management brand ambassador and four-time PGA TOUR champion Charley Hoffman. You might learn a

I went to Hawaii and watched U2 and Pearl Jam

thing or two about one of the fan favorites at “The People’s

play in the same concert, if you can believe it.

Open.” Enjoy!

And then, Billie Joe Armstrong – the lead singer of Green Day – came out and sang “The Saints are Coming” right after all that stuff was going

Favorite club in your bag?

on. So, that was a pretty cool concert.

The putter because that's the club you usually use to win a golf tournament.

If you could have a walk up song at our 16th hole what would it be?

Do you listen to music while you warm up? If so, what?

I’d have to change it up. Phew, that's a good quetiton. I would probably

I don't listen to a ton of music warming up, but in the car

change based on how I was playing

ride, I like to try and keep something chill, maybe a little

and what the crowd was like. I might

Reggae, something a little easy listening.

steal Trevor Hoffman's Hells Bells. He was famous for coming in closing the

Favorite Major?

deal. Something like that. I don't know. That's a great question, but

The Masters. No doubt.

that's something I always wished could happen. But I think the guys

Favorite course to play that's not on the PGA TOUR?

that would choose not to play music might get booed a little too loud at 16.

Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in Southern California.

66 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

054 T Charity/Military/Hoff.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:18 AM Page 67

Favorite food? Can't go wrong with a good carne asada burrito.

Favorite restaurant when you are in Scottsdale? Oregano’s Pizza Bistro

In-N-Out or Five Guys? In-N-Out for sure! As a Southern California guy, you have to love In-N-Out

Favorite thing to BBQ on the grill? Gas or Charcoal? A little charcoal for sure, but I have all of them. When I’m home, I barbeque almost every day. I've got it all, but I'm a big fan of the Big Green Egg.

Who is better – Tiger or Jack? MJ or Lebron? Tiger, MJ

If you could play another professional sport what would it be? You know what, I grew up playing soccer and I really enjoyed playing. I played through my senior year in high school. I don't think I was ever good enough to play soccer for very long, but I think that would be something I would enjoy playing. Travel over in Europe a little bit. That would be a blast.

Who is the funniest player on TOUR? Kevin Kisner is pretty funny. Sneaky funny. Goofy funny is Matt Kuchar.

What shows did you binge during Quarantine? We watched a fair amount of TV for sure. Some “Homeland.” A little “Silicon Valley” – those guys are funny. A little bit of everything actually. We had a lot of time on our hands.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 67

062 Tbirds Large/Padraig.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:27 AM Page 68

the thunderbirds

RISING TO A CHALLENGE in the community There’s just no other way to say it – 2020 was challenging. Nearly the entire year was subject to unbelievable obstacles, heartache, worry and woe, breeding uncertainty and doubt throughout the entire global landscape. What began as an optimistic fresh start to a new decade quickly turned to a frantic scramble for any semblance of normalcy due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Businesses were forced to make wholesale changes to their operations or face the bitter breeze of a shuttered storefront. Healthcare officials made the jump from wellness workers to warriors, holding the proverbial line to save lives. Sporting events were cancelled. Service workers were stymied, searching their mailboxes for stimulus checks. Nearly all were hit hard, leaving only a very small, lucky few that could count themselves among the unaffected during one of the most difficult eras of recent history. One of the hardest-hit industries during the pandemic was the charity and non-profit sector, which relies heavily on grants and donations from organizations who found themselves without charitable-contribution coffers for the first time in Chad Campbell decades. Thankfully, Arizona charities had an ace in HOLE-IN-ONE however, | 2016 | 7TH the hole – The Thunderbirds.

All photos of Thunderbirds and Thunderbirds staff volunteeering at Valley charities.

68 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

062 Tbirds Large/Padraig.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:40 AM Page 69

As pillars of the Arizona philanthropic community, The Thunderbirds – much like the mythical bird for which their home city is named – rose from the ashes of anxiety to provide much-needed aid to hundreds of local charities and nonprofits. Within days after the CDC officially designated COVID-19 as a global pandemic in March, The Thunderbirds stepped up with a $1 million Community Emergency Fund that was immediately donated to local charitable groups including Boys and Girls Clubs of the Valley, St. Mary’s Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul. “Thanks to the tremendous community support every year of the WM Phoenix Open, The Thunderbirds are in a unique position to provide immediate support,” said Chance Cozby, executive director of The Thunderbirds. “We are in unprecedented times. We felt, as an organization, it was imperative to act quickly and get much needed funds to help those in dire need as soon as possible.” Months later in August after a second wave of positive COVID-19 cases gripped the nation, The Thunderbirds announced an additional donation of $3.8 million to 43 Valley charities as part of their spring funding cycle. “We understand the importance these charities serve and that was never more evident than this spring when we had to band together to battle this pandemic,” said Tim Woods, Thunderbirds Big Chief. “To see what is happening in our community and how we as an organization are able to help so many is a very proud moment.”

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 69

062 Tbirds Large/Padraig.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:27 AM Page 70

After an influx of monetary support, The Thunderbirds took advantage of virtual meeting platforms like Zoom to launch their “In the Community Conversations” and reached out to dozens of charity partners to learn more about specific needs and to rally the community around common causes. In total, The Thunderbirds conducted 30 separate interviews with Arizona charitable leaders and found ways to ease the burden of overwhelmed organizations. Some organizations like Teen Lifeline, who provides support to young people experiencing depression, needed sanitation equipment. Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing to families whose children are receiving lifesaving treatment at world-renowned pediatric centers, needed meal donations more than anything else. Others needed additional volunteers, cash donations and clothing to name a few. “What we found was every organization we spoke to had unique needs,” said 2021 Tournament Chairman Scott Jenkins. “Cash donations never hurt, but we realized our group could help with more than just providing funds. Writing checks can help from a distance, certainly, but real community support comes from rolling up your sleeves and getting to work.” Get to work they did. As many Arizona schools prepared to open their doors to students for the first time in months, The Thunderbirds helped ensure every young learner had the tools they needed to succeed by providing on-site support to Arizona Helping Hands. They prepared first-aid kits, filled backpacks full of school supplies and even built bicycles. “Thunderbirds Charities is very proud of our 10-year partnership with Arizona Helping Hands,” said Ed Grant of The Thunderbirds. “Especially during this pandemic where so many children who are used to getting service – either from their church or their school – are not receiving them right now. But Arizona Helping Hands continued to provide that. It’s very meaningful and it’s very important to us.” Realizing the importance of exercise and playing safely, The Thunderbirds went to Special Olympics Arizona’s headquarters in Perryville, Ariz., to help prepare 140 “Return to Play” bags full of personal protection equipment like thermometers, masks, gloves and hand sanitizer to assist SOAZ programs start planning to resume activities. And to celebrate Rebuilding Together Valley of the Sun’s 30th anniversary and as part of their commitment to local non-profit organizations, The Thunderbirds helped Rebuilding Together manufacture and install a wheelchair ramp at the home of a local woman with mobility challenges who had a hard time getting up and down her stairs. Tyler Kent of The Thunderbirds was on hand to aid in the installation and also shed light on what these projects and the work of the organization at large mean to him and his fellow Thunderbirds. “With the pandemic, charities need more help than ever,” Kent said. “The Thunderbirds have supported our charity partners financially, but what’s more meaningful today is working alongside my fellow Thunderbirds and our charity partners in the community to bring joy and happiness to people in need.”

70 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

062 Tbirds Large/Padraig.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:27 AM Page 71

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 71

062 Tbirds Large/Padraig.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:27 AM Page 73

To lend a hand during the holidays, more than 50 Thunderbirds and a number of Waste Management officials visited St. Mary’s Food Bank and United Food Bank before Thanksgiving and Christmas to assist with emergency food preparation. Over the course of two hours, The Thunderbirds and Waste Management officials packed more than 3,000 emergency food boxes and filled 864 backpacks with food for children who do not have access to proper nutrition outside of school – which has been directly impacted by COVID precautions. St. Mary’s Food Bank estimates this 2-hour food pack by The Thunderbirds and Waste Management resulted in helping nearly 2,400 Arizonans. “These vital organizations do an amazing job helping hungry people in our community regardless of the circumstances,” said Thunderbirds Big Chief Chance Cozby. “Obviously, the current health crisis has impacted their ability to serve the community in the same ways they have in the past, but through volunteer support and the backing of the community at large, we know we can come together and provide aid and assistance to these as much as we can.” It goes to show what can be done when a community comes together. And while we’re not out of the woods just yet, knowing the community support of the Waste Management Phoenix Open and its host The Thunderbirds can and does lead to extraordinary charitable giving is a sight for sore eyes as we inch towards getting back to normal. n

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 73

062 Tbirds Large/Padraig.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:27 AM Page 74

FROM IRELAND WITH LOVE

PADRAIG HARRINGTON Question any mildly serious sports fan – golf enthusiast or not – with at least three decades of experience walking the planet earth and they will know the name Padraig Harrington, or Paddy as he’s affectionately called. The upbeat demeanor, unmistakably thick accent and bumpy cadence of the Irishman is simply unforgettable – say nothing of his three Major championship victories. His cheerful attitude and infectious love for the game of golf is matched in fervor by few – if any. It’s one reason 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Scott Jenkins had to snag an interview with the 2021 European Ryder Cup Captain. The other was to let Paddy know, in person, he would receive one of the five coveted sponsor exemptions to the WM Phoenix Open. Hear from Paddy on how he approaches the fan-first atmosphere of “The People’s Open” and what the tournament means to him as he enters the twilight of what should be a Hall-of-Fame career.

SCOTT JENKINS Paddy, you’ve had some really nice success at the WM Phoenix Open, but you also hold the record for longest field goal. What came over you a couple of years ago when you were kicking footballs into the stands at 16?

Padraig Harrington I have a picture of that up in my office. That is my favorite picture from the tournament and I have to tell you a funny story about it. We kicked the ball on Saturday and then on Sunday and we thought we’d get more balls to kick. I'm in the last group and I'm playing with Phil Mickelson and Brant Snedeker and they were going head to head. I was about 5th or 6th at that stage, so I wasn't winning the tournament when I got to 16, but I promised myself, when I get the balls, I’ll just punt

74 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

them up into the stands, but of course with all the people and with all the adrenaline, I started lashing into it. I was full-pelt. I kicked one over the stands. I could have pulled a hammy pretty easy. I could have really hurt myself with two more holes to play. But I was far more interested in kicking the ball at that moment than I was trying to birdie a few more holes and move up to 4th place. You just don't get too many opportunities to really do something different or something that is a bit out there. And, certainly, that stands out to me as one of my favorite moments.

SJ Tell us about the experience on 16 and what it’s like the first time in the coliseum.

PH It's actually very nerve-wracking. It doesn't start when you enter in to play 16, it actually starts at 15 – you can hear the boos and the noise. It doesn't matter how good you are as a golfer pressure wise. You're just thrown slightly out of your comfort zone with everything that's going on.

SJ Tell us about the pressure. Do you try and hit the middle of the green?

PH To be honest, I know some guys play it safe. I don’t. I actually dream about hitting the perfect shot. I want a hole in one on 16. I'm trying to hit it close and make birdie. I'm at the stage of my career, that kind of stuff would be fun. And I can guarantee it – and you might have to cut this because the PGA TOUR might not be too happy – if I have a hole in one and they throw those beers at the teebox, I'm going to drink one there – knock it straight back – and I’m going to go to the green and knock another straight back. We ain’t going to waste some of those beers that are thrown out there.

SJ Other than maybe a Major championship atmosphere, how does the WM Phoenix Open compare to other tournaments?

062 Tbirds Large/Padraig.qxp_. 1/21/21 10:41 AM Page 75

PH Those situations, as I said, it's an exceptional place in golf. There's just nothing like it anywhere. Some of the other tournaments are trying to copy it, and that's great and I'm happy for them, but they're not going to be the 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. I try to describe it to other players. It's the event each year where players want to play well, of course, but if they don't, they still enjoy it. Any time you hit a great shot you hear the crowd. You could be out of the middle nowhere on the front nine, if you hit a great shot, there's still thousands of people out there to cheer and give you a shout out. It's second to none when it comes to the atmosphere. Nerve wracking 16, unbelievably nerve wracking, but I don't want them to be quiet. I'm all for the ambient noise. Just leave the fans be and let them enjoy themselves. I think the silence would be a lot more pressure. The vast majority of the players really appreciate it and love it and want that noise and appreciate the fact, ya know? We're at an event that

has a golf tournament rather than a golf tournament that has an event.

SJ I know you reached out to me recently and expressed interest in playing in our event, and to me, that’s an absolute no-brainer. So, with that, we would love for you to join us in the first week of February here at TPC Scottsdale. And we’ll watch you hole one and I’ll drink a beer with you afterwards.

PH Well, that means an awful lot to me. I really appreciate that. It’s always been one of my favorite tournaments. I love it out there, and you guys do phenomenal work and raise great money. At these times, it’s good to be part of anything that’s raising money because the charities are really struggling. Look, there’s a lot of great events on the PGA TOUR, but the WM Phoenix Open is right at the top of the pile when it comes to the work you do and the money you raise. n

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 75

067 Webb/Webb.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:23 PM Page 76

Webb Simpson Ends Playoff Drought With 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open Win Webb Simpson stood on the 18th tee before beginning a playoff against Tony Finau at the 2020 Waste Management Phoenix Open with more than just an opportunity to win his sixth PGA TOUR event. “I was 2-5 going into that playoff (including a loss to Hideki Matsuyama during a four-hole playoff at the 2017 WM Phoenix Open),” he recalled. “So I really wanted to win it to get some redemption on those playoffs I lost.” The North Carolina native did just that, draining a birdie putt on the ﬁrst playoff hole to edge his good friend Finau and cap off a four-tournament stretch where he never ﬁnished lower than seventh.

76 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

067 Webb/Webb.qxp_. 1/21/21 11:34 AM Page 77

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 77

067 Webb/Webb.qxp_. 1/21/21 11:34 AM Page 78

Coming into Scottsdale off a third-place finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii three weeks earlier, Simpson was flush with confidence. “I got a lesson from Butch (Harmon) that Monday in Vegas and we drove over (to Scottsdale) that night,” he said. “He always makes me feel really good about my game. It’s always nice to show up to a place that you’ve played well before (Simpson had four Top-10 finishes at TPC Scottsdale since 2011) because I feel like you can take any game you have and still put together a good week. So I felt good, but nothing out of the ordinary.” After the first round though, Simpson found himself a whopping 10 shots behind leader Wyndham Clark, whose round of 61 was a single stroke off the course record set by Mark Calcavecchia in 2001 and then matched by Phil Mickelson in both 2005 and 2013. “I certainly wasn’t thinking about being in or near the lead,” said Simpson, who won the 2012 U.S. Open. “But I definitely wasn’t really down about it because I knew I could put together a few good rounds and get back in it.” That’s exactly what he did with rounds of 63 and 64 (the latter included a hole-in-one on the 196-yard 12th, his first-ever during a PGA TOUR event), reinforcing why TPC Scottsdale is one of Simpson’s favorite courses. “The reason I love the course, and I’ve always loved golf courses like it, is because if you’re a little off it’s not easy, whereas some courses, even on your bad days you’re going to shoot under par,” he said. “At TPC Scottsdale there is trouble out there, so it’s not a walk in the park. But with the weather we had, the low amount of wind, and a

78 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

“It’s always nice to show up to a place that you’ve played well before.”

067 Webb/Webb.qxp_. 1/21/21 11:34 AM Page 79

“So when I do ﬁnd myself in the Top-10 in the world, I try not to take it for granted.”

perfectly conditioned golf course, if you get going there’s plenty of birdie stretches. You have a drivable par 4 at 17, three reachable par 5s, and a few short irons into the par 4s.” After starting the final round one stroke behind leader Finau, Simpson took the lead after a birdie on the short par-4 10th hole. Finau then birdied 12 and 13 to regain the lead by one. Then it was the final reachable par 5 – the 15th – that almost cost Simpson any chance of winning when his tee shot ended up in the water left of the fairway. “I figured if Tony made birdie there, I would be three back with three holes to go,” said Simpson. “That’s a lot of golf to make up in three holes. But when he didn’t make birdie (Finau made a par to take a two-stroke lead), I thought, okay, if I birdie two of the last three, I got a chance. Sure enough, that’s what happened (to shoot a final round 69 and end up 17-under overall to tie Finau). He didn’t make any birdies and I found myself in a playoff. That all happened really fast, from hitting it in the water on 15 to being in the playoff to winning. It was all a whirlwind.” The win placed him back in the Top-10 of the Official World Golf Rankings. “That was a great feeling,” said Simpson. “You know in this game there are ebbs and flows, there are really good seasons and there are tough seasons. I think having gone through some great stretches and then through some struggling years (2015 and 2016 when he finished 48th and 84th respectively in the FedExCup), I really do appreciate good golf now more than ever. So when I do find myself in the Top-10

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 79

067 Webb/Webb.qxp_. 1/21/21 11:35 AM Page 80

067 Webb/Webb.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:26 PM Page 81

in the world, I try not to take it for granted like I did before. There’s going to come a time, hopefully not for a while, but you never know when I won’t be in that position, so I’m just trying to continue to work hard and get better. The World Rankings just take care of themselves.” After his win in Scottsdale, Simpson would play in one more event (the World Golf Championships in Mexico) before the PGA TOUR was sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic in mid–March. He returned to play three months later at The Charles Schwab Challenge in Texas. “There were no fans at my first tournament back and it was so strange,” he said. “When they announced me on the first tee, I’ll never forget it. Just dead quiet. It felt weird. But then you go play a few more tournaments and you start getting used to it. I’m so thankful the PGA TOUR went forward and continued on with the season. I know there were months of planning, so once we finally got to play it was such a relief. For us, we got to go back to our jobs that we love to do.” Simpson missed the cut in Texas but bounced back the following week by winning the RBC Heritage (which he lost in a 2013 playoff to Graeme McDowell) at Harbour Town in South Carolina. “It’s so good to remember that if you miss a cut or are not playing well, you gotta be ready because you might turn it around the next week,” he said. “That happens every year out here.”

“I can’t imagine going through a playoff at TPC Scottsdale without a crowd. Playing 16 is going to be so bizarre.”

Simpson ended the 2020 season with eight Top-10 ﬁnishes and just more than $5 million in earnings, his most since 2011. He returns to TPC Scottsdale this year not quite sure of what to expect with pandemic protocols in place. “I can’t imagine going through a playoff at TPC Scottsdale without a crowd,” he said. “Playing 16 is going to be so bizarre.” Not quite as bizarre as one might have thought, however. While the WM Phoenix Open will have only a small fraction of normal attendance, there will indeed be a limited number of fans at 16 cheering on the world’s best players. n

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 81

067 Webb/Webb.qxp_. 1/21/21 11:36 AM Page 82

ON THE CLOCK WITH

WEBB SIMPSON After 10 events at the WM Phoenix Open which included a win in 2020 and three other Top-10 finishes, the Scottsdale golf crowd is fairly familiar with North Carolina native Webb Simpson. There are a few things, however, you may not know about the 2012 U.S. Open Champ like his taste in music and what he might do for a living if it weren’t for his impressive ball striking abilities.

favorite band? Josh Garros.

What's the best concert you've ever been to? Probably Red Hot Chili Peppers in college at Wake Forest for

In this segment of “On the Clock,” 2020 Tournament Chairman Tim Woods asks Simpson some questions – rapid-fire style.

my wife’s birthday.

Favorite club in your bag?

If you could have a walk up song at our very own 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, what would that be?

Five wood.

Well, I think it has to be a kid’s song at this point in my life. I got five children nine and under. I'm trying to do a Zoom

Got a curveball here: your favorite golf course to play that is not a PGA Tour event? Eagle Point in Wilmington, North Carolina.

interview with the two year old in my lap. Maybe like “The wheels on the bus go round and round.”

Favorite food? A cheeseburger or pizza. I'm still 50/50. If I had to pick one,

Favorite Major championship? The Masters, of course.

I couldn't. So I have to say both.

Favorite restaurant when you're in Scottsdale? Mastros. That place is unbelievable.

82 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

067 Webb/Webb.qxp_. 1/21/21 11:39 AM Page 83

What is on the top of your Christmas tree? It was supposed to be a star, but I couldn't figure out how to get it on, so, we left it blank. I tried to give the kids a lesson on art in its purest form with nothing there. Minimalist.

Do you and the family unwrap presents on Christmas morning or Christmas Eve? We let them do one present on Christmas Eve, but then the rest of it on Christmas morning.

When you were a kid, what was the favorite Christmas present you ever received? Back when I was a kid – say 9 years old or so – a dozen golf balls was huge! So, I would say a dozen Titleist TOUR Balatas was my favorite.

Favorite sports team? Carolina Panthers. I wasn't a huge fan of the Panthers growing up in Raleigh, but living in Charlotte, now they're 15 minutes away. I've gotten into them a little bit.

If you could play another professional sport, what would it be? I would want to be a kicker in the NFL. I feel like their season is shortest, they don't travel for the whole week you know like us golfers and they don't usually get hit that hard. I think I'd be okay in that, but I would probably get nervous knowing that a 320-pound guy is coming at me.

Favorite movie? Man on Fire with Denzel Washington. Love that movie.

Favorite TV show? Shark Tank.

We'll finish it up with golf movie – Tin Cup or Caddyshack? Caddyshack. It’s always Caddyshack.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 83

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:04 PM Page 84

BUBBA WATSON JON RAHM

RICKIE FOWLER

WEBB SIMPSON

JUSTIN THOMAS

BROOKS KOEPKA

RORY MCILROY

MATTHEW WOLFF

RYAN PALMER PLAYER

HARRIS ENGLISH

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN

84 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

2020 EVENTS

CUTS MADE

BUBBA WATSON

RICKIE FOWLER

1ST PLACE

2ND PLACE

TOP 10

$ 1,565,323

$ 947,309

TOP 25

2020 EARNINGS

PLAYERS WATCH

scheduled to appear

FEDEX CUP

JON RAHM

$ 5,959,819

WEBB SIMPSON

$ 5,097,742

JUSTIN THOMAS

$7,344,040

BROOKS KOEPKA

$ 1,123,227

104

RORY MCILROY

$4,408,415

RYAN PALMER

$ 2,724,926

MATTHEW WOLFF

$ 1,390,433

HARRIS ENGLISH

$3,299,366

LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN

$1,312,138

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:42 PM Page 85

Bubba Watson If this year at the WM Phoenix Open is anything like the last two for Bubba Watson – T4 in 2019 and T3 in 2020 – the likelihood of collecting his first win after 14 attempts is trending in the right direction. He nearly broke through in 2014 and 2015, with back-to-back T2 finishes, but the championship has been elusive. Anyone who swats it out there like Watson can create momentum at TPC Scottsdale. Last year, Watson caught a spark after an eagle-3 on the 13th hole in the third round. Pumped up, he followed with the longest drive of the day, 336 yards, on the difficult 14th en route to a birdie. In the final round, Watson put up seven birdies and two bogeys to shoot 5-under-par 66. With scores like that, who wouldn’t be having a good time? Watson certainly was; at a post-round interview, he applauded the unique atmosphere and golf course. “The atmosphere has grown tremendously,” he said. “I think The Thunderbirds have created an atmosphere that's fun, energetic. But then on top of that, the dollars they have raised to charity, for the local charities, is through the roof. The golf course has obviously changed because of the redo, but it seems like every year the conditions are getting better and better. The greens, we can't ask for better greens this week. This is unbelievable how good these greens are this week.” Although the atmosphere is likely to be a bit less “energetic,” the greens will be rolling fast and true, and it appears like Bubba Watson will be ready for them. As of early January 2021, he already made four of four cuts for the season, including two top-10s and two top-25s. YEAR

FINISH

MONEY

2020

T3 T4 T40 MC T14 T2 T2 15 T5 T29 T36 T25 MC T8

$386,900 $293,467 $28,290

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 TOTAL

$117,000 $470,400 $545,600 $207,700 $222,650 $37,134 $27,042 $44,829 $174,000 $2,458,911

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 85

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:42 PM Page 86

Rickie Fowler Rickie Fowler entered the 2020 WM Phoenix Open as the defending champion. The year before he scrambled for the win after a final-round, 3-over-par 74, which was the highest final-round score of any champion in tournament history. Bad news: He posted another 74 – this time in the first round – the following year as defending champion. Once again, if Fowler had held on to win, he would have also tied for the highest first round by a champion (en route to the 1944 championship, Harold McSpaden fired an opening-round 74 at Phoenix CC). Fowler gave it a go with a second-round 65, which included two eagles and three birdies.

“Just drove it a lot better today,” he explained. “I drove it poorly yesterday and just kind of put myself in tough positions. So had to just try and salvage what we could yesterday and then come back out today, try and look at it as a new day, and I think we did a good job of that.” Fowler went on to post a pair of 69s in the final two rounds for T37 finish. Fowler steadied the ship for the balance of the 2020 season, qualifying for the FedExCup Playoffs for the 11th consecutive season. And as of early January, he’s made four of six cuts. He’ll ride the momentum into the WM Phoenix Open for what is usually a lucrative week. In fact, Fowler is the tournament’s third all-time money winner behind Hideki Matsuyama and Phil Mickelson.

YEAR

FINISH

MONEY

2020

T37 1 T11 T4 2 T46 MC MC T26 T13 2 T58

34,675 1,278,000 $141,450 $294,800 $702,000 $17,658

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 TOTAL

$43,310 $111,020 $648,000 amateur $3,270,913

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:42 PM Page 87

Jon Rahm Jon Rahm has been a crowd favorite since his debut T5 finish at the WM 2015 Phoenix Open as amateur, the same year while playing at nearby ASU. He began his run as the first two-time winner of the Ben Hogan Award (2015 and 2016) as the outstanding male amateur and collegiate golfer of the year. Although winless at the WM Phoenix Open, the five-time champion on TOUR notched at least one win in the last four years leading up to a stellar 2020 when he won two. In the first, the Memorial Tournament, Rahm earned his fourth PGA TOUR victory and moved to No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time in his career. Then, Rahm’s second win came at the BMW Championship where he defeated Dustin Johnson in a playoff, holing a spectacular 66-foot, 5-inch birdie putt on the first extra hole to win the second FedExCup Playoffs event of the season. Rahm’s game is well-suited for TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course; his length from the tee is a huge advantage. For example, in last year’s first round, he lashed the longest drive – 347 yards – of the day on the reachable par-4, 17th. And for the 2020 season overall, he ranked second in total driving, which no doubt helped him whittle down his a par-5 scoring average to just 4.46, second best on TOUR. Nearly as dangerous on par 3s and 4s, Rahm also ranked second in overall scoring

average on TOUR at 69.127 for 2020. Rahm also showed he can putt, too, finishing in fourth place among his peers last season in putts made inside of 10 feet.

YEAR

FINISH

MONEY

2020

T9 T10 T11 T16 T5

$170,767 $163,300 $141,450 $90,952 Amateur $566,469

2019 2018 2017 2015 TOTAL

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 87

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:42 PM Page 88

Webb Simpson Defending a championship is never easy, but something about Webb Simpson and WM Phoenix Open just seems to click. After only 10 starts, he’s ranked fourth (up from 15th the year before) among the all-time money winners. Unlike many past champions, Simpson is not a long hitter, a fact that prompted one golf writer in the post-championship interview room to ask if Simpson has “done anything to add distance?” Simpson admitted he “picked up a mile and a half to two miles an hour for the last two years,” and that he “doesn’t mind playing longer tracks, but it's just harder to win.” However, he went on to explain they beefed up his driver slowly because he “didn't want to take away” the thing that usually allows him to play well: “hitting fairways.” Simpson’s second win of the 2020 season came at the RBC Heritage, which marked his second multi-win season on the PGA TOUR. With the victory, he took over the FedExCup lead for a total of three weeks, and made the TOUR Championship for the fourth consecutive season, eventually finishing in eighth place. For Simpson, and everyone else on TOUR, it’s all about scoring. Amazingly, in 2020 he ranked first among his peers in 10 of 21 scoring categories, including the coveted Byron Nelson Award for the PGA TOUR’s lowest Scoring Average (68.978). Simpson also represented the United States at the Presidents Cup, making his third appearance at the event and first since 2013.

YEAR

FINISH

MONEY

2020

1 T20 MC 2 T14 10 T8 T8 MC 65

$1,314,000 $76,917

2019 2018 2017 2016 2014 2012 2011 2010 2009 TOTAL

88 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

$723,600 $117,000 $167,400 $170,800 $164,700 $12,720 $2,747,137

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:42 PM Page 89

Justin Thomas After two near-miss third place finishes in the last two years, Justin Thomas appears to be closing in for the win. Entering the final round in 2019, he sat five strokes off the pace set by Rickie Fowler, who opened the door after his 74. Thomas, however, had his own issues that led to an uncharacteristic 72. Last year, Thomas began to cinch-up his belt, zigzagging his way up the leaderboard T23, T17, T21 to finally land at T3. This time he finished strong with a 6-under 65, including a birdie on No. 16 while donning a Kobe Bryant jersey. “It's always a fun week here in Phoenix, somehow it gets crazier every year with the fans,” he said after the tournament. “It was a somber week, if you will, it just is, a lot of us playing with heavy hearts. A lot of my good friends from the West Coast area are big Lakers fans, big Kobe fans and I just kind of became a Kobe fan, just for being a fan of his and loved the way he went about everything. I have a couple Kobe jerseys, so it was a no-brainer for me to bring them and wear them on 16.” The 13-time winner on TOUR and runner-up in the 2020 FedExCup always seems to play well at the beginning of the year. If he could simply erase some of the miscues at the WM Phoenix Open – 5 bogeys and a double in ’19; five bogeys in ’20 – Thomas would already have a title under his belt. YEAR

FINISH

MONEY

2020

T3 3 T17 MC T17 MC

386,900 482,800 $100,050

2019 2018 2016 2015 2014 TOTAL

$94,500 $1,064,250

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:42 PM Page 90

Brooks Koepka After a three-year hiatus, Brooks Koepka returns to the WM Phoenix Open with a much different list of credentials. The first time around, Koepka vaulted from anonymity to join a dozen other PGA TOUR rookies to win the WM Phoenix Open. Furthermore, he became one of three to notch his first win in his first start at the WM Phoenix Open alongside Kyle Stanley and J.B. Holmes. After the 2015 WM Phoenix Open victory, his next two wins were back-to-back U.S. Opens in 2017-2018. Then, he tacked on a PGA Championship at the end of ’18 before picking off another the next year. At the 2020 PGA Championship, he attempted to become the third player since 1920 to win the same major three years in a row, but his bid for a third consecutive title was dashed after a T29 finish. In only three starts at the WM Phoenix Open, Koepka sits in 25th place on the event’s all-time money winners list. Of course, his win really moved the needle, and in particular his make-or-break decision at the reachable par-5 15th. “I had to stay very patient,” Koepka said. “I don't want to say it was frustrating or hard, but I just had to hang in there and wait till the back 9. I played the back 9 well all week and just trying to stick it out for those couple par-5s and especially 17. It's unbelievable. That hole, 15, 16, 17 is just an unbelievable finish. There is so much risk reward, and if you hit a couple of quality golf shots, you can really make a move.”

YEAR

FINISH

MONEY

2017

T42 T41 1

$23,450 $24,700 $1,134,000

2016 2015 TOTAL

90 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

$1,182,150

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/22/21 4:04 PM Page 91

Rory mcilroy The list of accomplishments is long for Rory McIlroy, but playing in the WM Phoenix Open isn’t one of them. He joins the field for the first time after a career filled, so far, with two FedExCup Championships (2016, 2019), eight International victories and 18 PGA TOUR wins. With two PGA Championships (2012, 2014) and a U.S. Open in 2011, The Masters is another accomplishment McIlroy still looks to check off his list. Most recently in November, he put it together to finish T5, despite standing T77 after the first round. McIlroy’s round-by-round pattern at Agusta National unfolded the opposite direction for most of 2020. His first-round scoring average was No. 1 among his peers. Second round ranked third, then a big step to 52nd in the third, capped by 81st in the fourth. If he can jump out to a great start, McIlroy is likely to find himself in contention down the stretch. He certainly has the firepower to wrestle with TPC Scottsdale. McIlroy ranked second in Eagles Per Hole in 2020 as well as 10th in Total Driving Efficiency. As a major force surrounding the Irish Open, McIlroy has been keeping an eye on the WM Phoenix Open to pick a few pointers that might help his event at home. “My commitment to making the Irish Open as successful as it can possibly be is well known,” McIlroy explained in a 2016 interview with Ewan Murray. “If we can learn anything at all from such a huge event on the PGA TOUR that can only be a good thing. I was delighted the foundation was given the chance to learn more about what has made Phoenix so popular.” Although the gallery this year will feel more like it did back at Phoenix Country Club, one thing is for sure: he’ll get a great look under the hood at the WM Phoenix Open.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 91

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:43 PM Page 92

Ryan Palmer This gritty competitor from Texas joined the TOUR in 2000 and has amassed nearly $30 million in prize money since then, including four victories, and if not for a few stray rounds, he would have more. Most recently, Palmer fired 67, 67, 64 in the first three rounds of the 2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions. Unfortunately, he ended with 71, which dropped him to 4th place. At the 2006 WM Phoenix Open, Palmer shot 68, 66, 64 to sit firmly in contention; he followed with a 72 to settle at T2. In 2013 Palmer bolted from the starting gate with a 64, stubbed his toe a bit in the second round with a 73, and then finished strong with a 9-under 62, including eight birdies and an eagle. He finished in fifth place that year. Finally in 2015, Palmer once again jumped out to a great start with another 64 only to pile on nine more strokes in the second round before recovering nicely with 68-66 in the final two rounds to finish T2. “I didn't realize it,” Palmer said after the final round in ’15. “James [Hahn] told me when I finished I didn't make a bogey on the weekend. I'm not going to hang my head down. It was a great week. Came up one short, looks like, but overall a great week.” Look for another “great week” from Palmer.

YEAR

FINISH

2020

MC T60 MC MC T24 T2 T48 5 T55 MC T14 T60 T2 MC

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2006 2005 TOTAL

92 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

MONEY

$15,336

$49,183 $470,400 $15,773 $248,000 $13,725 $87,360 $13,080 $312,000 $1,224,857

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:43 PM Page 93

matthew wolff Matthew Wolff turned pro June 2019, and by July, he earned his first career PGA TOUR victory in style at the inaugural 3M Open. Playing on a sponsor exemption, Wolff closed the door on the competition after nailing a 26-foot putt from off the green for eagle on the 72nd hole. Likewise, his first TOUR start came on a sponsor exemption, this time as an amateur, at the 2019 WM Phoenix Open only six months before his first win. Evidently Wolff preferred the front nine at TPC Scottsdale. He birdied No. 1 three times (rounds 1-3), and birdied No. 3 in rounds 1, 3, and 4, and in the second round, he eagled it. Wolff ended up at 4-under par for the week on the front nine, versus 1-over par on the back nine for a T50 finish.The following year, 2020, Wolff missed the cut at the WM Phoenix Open; however, he qualified for the FedExCup Playoffs for the second consecutive season, finishing No. 35 in the final standings. At the PGA Championship, his first career major championship appearance, Wolff shot a final-round 65 to finish T4. He led the field in Greens in Regulation Percentage (77.78%), and earned a 2020 U.S. Open exemption. There, he earned his second top-five in a major championship in his second career major start, finishing solo-second at the unusual September U.S. Open. Wolff even held a two-stroke lead entering the final round. “A bunch of positives,” Wolff said after the championship. “Shooting even par for four rounds at Winged Foot is pretty exceptional. I think the last couple U.S. Opens that they've had here, I think five or so over has won.”

YEAR

FINISH

MONEY

2020

MC T50

Amateur

2019

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 93

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:43 PM Page 94

harris english Harris English enters the field bolstered by a recent win that would normally have been impossible. The field at the Sentry Tournament of Champions is made of: “champions.” With no wins in 2020, English should have been out, but due to 2020 tournament cancelations, all players who advanced to the 2020 TOUR Championship were eligible for the 2021 Sentry Tournament of Champions. The win certainly confirmed English belonged. Not only was his playoff victory impressive, his even-keel style indicated his efforts to regain his confidence were successful. In a post-championship interview, English took stock of where he is now compared to a low point in his career when he failed to get his TOUR card back after a “very shocking” collapse on the final few holes. “So it's kind of come full circle,” he said. “I know a lot more about how I should practice, how I should play, how I should train more now than I did when I was younger. And everybody says the more experience you have, the better, and I feel like I'm way more of an experienced player now than I was when I was a kid and understand how much work it takes out here to compete week-in and week-out and just being a true professional. I feel like I've done a better job of that and the results have paid off.” English’s WM Phoenix performances seem to follow his rising trajectory: two missed cuts in 2018, 2019 followed by a much-improved T16 last year. Add that to a third-place finish in 2016, and it’s clear English is a player to watch at the 2021 WM Phoenix Open.

YEAR

FINISH

MONEY

2020

T16 MC MC T57 3 T40 9 T57 T15

$97,212

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 TOTAL

94 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

$14,941 $442,000 $25,200 $179,800 $13,764 $100,650 $873,567

082 Players to Watch.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:43 PM Page 95

louis oosthuizen Despite spending most of his career racking up 13 victories internationally, Louis Oosthuizen’s sweet swing is fairly familiar with American fans, too. Recently, he finished third at the September U.S. Open, his fourth top-10 in the event, but his biggest win came at the 2010 Open Championship. Oosthuizen’s one-and-only appearance at the WM Phoenix Open was fantastic. In 2017, he fired 68, 67, 68, 65 to finish in solo-third place, collecting a tidy $455,600 check. “Yeah, first time. I mean, I don't think anywhere in the world you're going to find better weather than we did this week,” he said after the 2017 tournament. “It was perfect golf weather. It's just beautiful conditions. Greens were running beautifully. It was just a nice week to play golf.” His return to the WM Phoenix Open also appears to make good on a promise he made in 2017 to “play this event a few more times” for his sponsor PING. Plus, he no doubt, likes the golf course and atmosphere. “You can shoot 8-, 9-under if you drive it well and get the putter going,” he said. “Thursday was very calm. Friday was hectic. Saturday was chaos (smiling). But it was good. It was really – it was great to see that and to have that adrenaline on a golf course. I think today there is probably a few people from yesterday who are resting. Different crowd today. It's really nice, and I would love to come back.” You’re welcome anytime, Louis! YEAR

FINISH

MONEY

2017

$455,600

TOTAL

$455,600

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 95

094 Caddie.qxp_. 1/21/21 12:40 PM Page 96

HOME TURF inside the ropes with local looper Justin York BY TOM MACKIN

For the fans that ﬂock each year to TPC Scottsdale and witness “The Greatest Show on Grass”, the main priority is having a good time. But out on the course it’s a very different story. Just ask a caddie. “That is our office,” said Justin York, a Scottsdale resident who caddies for Mesa native Chez Reavie. “Granted, it’s a different office than anybody else, but we are trying to earn a living.”

96 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

094 Caddie.qxp_. 1/21/21 12:40 PM Page 97

York’s job starts well before the ﬁrst round on Thursday. He’s carrying the bag if Reavie plays the course the weekend before to check out the conditions. If not, he’ll walk the course by himself. “I go out there to make sure there aren’t any changes,” he said. “If there are, that goes in my yardage book. I’ll mark down run outs through the fairway, carry yardages, and different angles to different hole locations. I’m preparing for how we need to attack the course.” Reavie comes to the course on Monday to either play a few holes or to practice. The main focus is getting used to the way the ball reacts when chipping and adjusting to the speed of the greens. “At TPC Scottsdale, the green speeds are pretty typically right around 11 and change (according to the Stimpmeter, a device used to measure green speeds),” said York. “When you get to the Masters or a U.S. Open, those greens might be in the upper 12s or even 13. It’s like putting in your bathtub.” Tuesday is a full day, with Reavie usually arriving at the course around 9 a.m. to practice and play nine holes. “He’ll warm up and work with his instructor for an hour or so just working on different things and to hammer-in feel,” said York. “He’ll go play nine holes (the opposite nine of what he will play in the next day’s pro-am). Then we’ll

“IT SETS THE TONE FOR THE ENTIRE PLACE. THE CROWDS ARE GOOD WALKING ALONG BEFORE THEN, BUT AROUND 16 AND 17 – THAT’S WHEN YOU REALLY START TO FEEL IT. WEDNESDAY GIVES YOU A LITTLE TASTE, BUT COME THURSDAY, FRIDAY, AND SATURDAY, IT’S JUST FULL BORE.”

get something to eat before hitting some balls to make sure his swing is where he wants it to be. Finally, he’ll chip and putt before heading home.” Wednesday is when the tournament vibe becomes more apparent. “The 16th will be packed in with the pro-am and the celebrities/athletes going through that day,” he said. “It sets the tone for the entire place. The crowds are good walking along before then, but around 16 and 17 that’s

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 97

094 Caddie.qxp_. 1/21/21 12:40 PM Page 98

when you really start to feel it. Wednesday gives you a little taste, but come Thursday, Friday, and Saturday it’s just full bore.” During the tournament the decibel level starts to impact performance on the 10th green. “That’s when you’re probably hitting the ball a quarter to a half club further, and players really have to control their emotions and how much their heart is racing,” said York. “You get a little bit of a low when you hit the 13th tee box, away from the rowdy crowds. But when you walk off the 14th green and onto the tee at 15, you can see the amphitheater around 16 and hear that crowd. That’s when it all starts coming back. From there until you walk off 18, it’s about as intense as it gets.” York fondly remembers the infamous caddie races that used to take place between the tee and green on the 16th hole. “I wish we still did it. I remember running with the bag on my shoulder and what people don’t realize, as you come to the grass out of the desert area there’s a little bit of a

98 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

dip, so I almost fell there but used my hand to brace myself and stay upright. Having my football playing instincts (he was an outside linebacker at Glendale Community College and an invited walk-on at Arizona State before suffering a career-ending knee injury) helped there.” Every caddie is one part psychologist, according to York. “Whether it’s distracting Chez by telling a joke or talking about something completely insigniﬁcant, I just try to help by keeping his emotions in check. Doing that around the back nine or when we’re in contention, that’s where we as caddies earn our money. You want to give your player the best opportunity to be successful.” Winning the Waste Management Phoenix Open would rank only behind winning the U.S. Open for York. Reavie came close to the former in 2018, making a clutch birdie putt on 18 to advance to a playoff with Gary Woodland. “I don’t ever discuss speed (of putts) with him,” recalled York. “Chez is probably one of the best I’ve ever seen at that. I just reassured him on that read, told him how good he was, and said just visualize it going in. He nailed it and we had a pretty gnarly fist bump there. It would have been really to cool to win (Woodland won on the first playoff hole), but that was definitely one of the high points of my career.”

094 Caddie.qxp_. 1/21/21 12:40 PM Page 99

“WHETHER IT’S DISTRACTING CHEZ BY TELLING A JOKE OR TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING COMPLETELY INSIGNIFICANT, I JUST TRY TO HELP BY KEEPING HIS EMOTIONS IN CHECK. THAT’S WHERE WE AS CADDIES EARN OUR MONEY. YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR PLAYER THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL.”

York got his start caddying in 2000 at Paradise Valley Country Club while a freshman in college. He then moved on to looping at Whisper Rock Golf Club in North Scottsdale, the exclusive private club where many TOUR pros, including Reavie, are members. He quickly learned that professional caddies come in all different shapes and sizes. “Some look like they’re in good shape, others look like they spend too much time in the food line,” said York. “Like anything else, if you do it day in and day out, you become conditioned for it. I can caddie 36 holes on a humid day for a U.S. Open qualiﬁer, but if you ask me to go run a 5K, I don’t know if I could do that.”

Unlike most caddies, York favors a single strap golf bag and even switches the bag to the other shoulder every other hole. “It’s best long term for my body,” he said. “I want to make sure I’m symmetrical.” The best part of Waste Management Phoenix Open week for York is being able to sleep in his own bed at home. But being a local brings other responsibilities. “I’ve handed out as many as 150 tickets that week to poker buddies from Talking Stick, childhood friends, or people I’ve caddied with in the past,” he said. “There’s not a whole lot of sleep that week. I like to cook at least one really good dinner for some caddies who stay with us, and we always have a Super Bowl party that Sunday night. My wife — bless her heart — does a good job of rolling with everything that goes on in our house that week. It’s a more intense week than usual.” Caddies come in all shapes, sizes and personalities. But one thing remains the same - and York’s experiences prove that - the caddie life is a very unique life. n

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 99

098 Mulligan.qxp_. 1/22/21 3:59 PM Page 100

THE MULLIGAN ISSUE 4 | FEB 2021

*REMEMBER PEOPLE, THIS ISN’T REAL. GET A GRIP!

Retired Thunderbird Executive director eyes Sponsor Exemption in 2022 Thunderbirds long-time executive director Ron Bridges, who retired after the completion of the 2020 WM Phoenix Open, is rumored to be making a case for one of the five available and highly coveted sponsor exemptions for the 2022 Waste Management Phoenix Open. The speculation began when Bridges published a cryptic tweet to his rabid social media follower base on the subject. The Mulligan reached out to Bridges to clarify his position. “I’ve been around golf too long to have to go through Monday qualifying like everyone else,” Bridges said. “Here’s the deal, being retired during COVID sucks. There is nothing to do, my many European travel plans got canceled and you can only watch Matlock reruns so many times before you begin to wonder if you’ll ever get off the couch again. I’m getting in, I’m making the cut and I’m winning this thing. Or maybe I’m just pulling everyone’s leg, who knows. ” Yes, The Mulligan did indeed notice that Bridges used two emoji’s! One Thunderbird who asked to remain anonymous, is skeptical. “You never know with Ron what’s he’s up to, if he’s serious or joking. I’ve seen him play golf, so I gotta think he’s joking. Off the record, I believe he is doing this to create more social media buzz and gain more followers. That’s been his goal in retirement, to become a mega social media influencer.” Sorry anonymous Thunderbird, we don’t go “Off the Record” here at The Mulligan. So, the question remains — will we see Bridges continue to lobby for that coveted 2022 exemption? Or is this just a simple ploy to increase his rapidly growing social media persona? Stay tuned, The Mulligan’s I-team is on the story and will get to the bottom of it.

100 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

098 Mulligan.qxp_. 1/21/21 4:05 PM Page 101

WM Phoenix Open Social Media guru Saddened by Lack of Interest in

Personal Well-being The award-winning social media team for the Waste Management Phoenix Open took to their personal accounts last week to express disappointment in the public’s lack of interest in them as human beings. Messages, comments and other engagement on WM Phoenix Open social media networks are nearly 100 percent based on questions regarding updated tournament information and ticket contests – never how the operators are doing or what they like to do in their free time. “It’s always ‘when are tickets available’ or ‘can I have free stuff’ and never ‘how are you, WM Phoenix Open social person?’” said Jack Woodcrist, WM Phoenix Open social media coordinator. “I mean, sure, we spit out hot-fire memes like pinata candy, but we’re people, too! I just feel like sometimes they think we’re machines. We’re just people. I, for one, like to hike on the weekends. Do you think they care? Of course not.” The WM Phoenix Open social team expressed the fact nothing will deter them from their ambitious quest to retain their PGA TOUR social leadership position. They just want to be seen a little more. “If it comes down to personal questions or keeping our position as the absolute dark-meme lord of the golf world, we’ll take the crown every single time,” continued Woodcrist. “It would just be nice, every once in a while, to know someone out there cares about our well-being. Is that too much to ask?”

‘flat tire foot’ most common complaint at 2020 wm phoenix open Despite the large number of mild ankle rolls at the 2020 WM Phoenix Open – largely accredited to high heels on turfgrass – the most common complaint at last year’s event was the ever-popular “Flat Tire”. The study was conducted by Fankle Inc., the world leader in foot and ankle complaints in the U.S.

“We saw an incredible increase year over year of the absolutely infuriating ‘Flat Tire’ in 2020,” said Darla Metatarsal, Fankle Inc.’s Chief Tibia Officer. “We rarely see this kind of increase year over year, but we can declare with confidence the root cause was the launch of the ‘turf shoe’ which looks so much like grass it’s hard for fans to see where a foot begins and the grass ends.” One fan reached out to an online review site to relay his dissatisfaction. “I’m out here with my brand-new kicks and people are stompin’ all over my ankle like it’s their job,” said Billy H. Parcel, 2020 WM Phoenix Open fan on the review site Yolp. “I get it. We’re all out here having a great time and what-not. I just need you to have a little more awareness out there and respect the personal space circle. A little more couth while walking saves us all a bad time. Savvy?”

the wm green gopher buys houseboat, makes permanent home at tpc scottsdale The WM Green Gopher has sold his house in Houston and has plans to move his permanent home address to TPC Scottsdale full time, according to a source familiar with the topic. The source elected to remain anonymous as the sale has not been finalized. “He [the WM Green Gopher] simply feels like he can do so much more for the environment at TPC Scottsdale,” said the source who goes by the name ‘Deep Green.’ “He has seen the large number of birds flocking south for the winter and is, frankly, extremely upset with the geese and starlings who seem to have absolutely no concern for the large WM logo on the 18th hole lake.” The WM Green Gopher’s new houseboat is reported to be the top-of-the-line Feedship “Varmint” edition and is said to be more than 600 square feet in size complete with a 36-litre, dual-electric reciprocating waterjet propulsion engine pumping out more than 1,050 Brake Horsepower and 1,500 kilowatts of power with zero emissions. There are also various reports claiming the WM Green Gopher will employ an on-call, Zero-Waste chef to manage his dietary needs.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 101

100 Social Media.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:14 PM Page 100

S O C I A L M E D I A AT

THE 2020 WM PHOENIX OPEN

WAS AMAZING

100 Social Media.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:14 PM Page 101

OUR FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS

100 Social Media.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:14 PM Page 102

C H A N C E S TO W I N AT

#THEPEOPLESOPEN

100 Social Media.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:14 PM Page 103

#RESPECT

BUT STILL LOTS OF FUN TO BE HAD

100 Social Media.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:14 PM Page 104

Plastic bottles go in the recycling, right?

RECYCLE RIGHT

100 Social Media.qxp_. 1/21/21 1:14 PM Page 105

If itâ€™s empty, yes. Also, can you focus on this putt instead of thinking about recycling?

No food or liquid in the recycling. Learn more at wm.com/recycleright

106 Fan Photos.qxp_. 1/21/21 3:58 PM Page 108

108 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

106 Fan Photos.qxp_. 1/21/21 3:58 PM Page 109

OH, 2020 JUST BEFORE WE ALL WENT HOME

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 109

106 Fan Photos.qxp_. 1/21/21 3:58 PM Page 110

110 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

106 Fan Photos.qxp_. 1/21/21 3:58 PM Page 111

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 111

106 Fan Photos.qxp_. 1/21/21 3:58 PM Page 112

112 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

106 Fan Photos.qxp_. 1/21/21 3:59 PM Page 113

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 113

114 Gary & Amy.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:04 PM Page 114

114 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

114 Gary & Amy.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:04 PM Page 115

AMY & GArY

REUNITED

Last year, at the 2020 WM Phoenix Open – which was one year after her clutch par at 16 playing a practice round with Gary Woodland – Amy Bockerstette returned to TPC Scottsdale to make a different type of impact. Instead of hitting golf shots, she ran into Woodland to celebrate the viral moment they shared at the 2019 tournament.

The day included a press conference where Woodland compared the “impact” of his win at the 2018 WM Phoenix Open with excitement of witnessing Amy’s up-and-down one year later as the defending champion. “Last year had a bigger impact on me than winning. The impact she had on me that day was not only me, but millions around the world. You’ve seen the people that have been impacted by this, by the video and her attitude, her energy, her love. I keep saying it, it’s so contagious and the world needs a lot more of it. And especially with everything that’s going on in the world right now, we need a lot more Amy in it.” Woodland even went so far as to give Bockerstette partial credit for his U.S. Open victory four months after her inspiring sand save. “I used your positive energy," he said to Amy on FaceTime shortly after his ﬁrst major win. "I look forward to seeing you soon. We're going to play some golf." At the WMPO press conference, Amy wasn’t shy about reminding Woodland of his offer – strategically – while they were “on the record.” “Gary, when are you going to play golf with me like you said last time?” “We need to do that,” Woodland said. “Sooner rather than later.” As Woodland explained when he surprised Amy on the “Today” show just after his U.S. Open win, she’s never far from his thoughts. “I hear ‘I got this’ a lot,” Woodland said. “A lot of people have seen that video and I hear ‘I got this,’ ‘you got this,’ from the crowd. Not only am I thinking about it myself, I hear it from other people, so it’s pretty cool.” As Bockerstette and Woodland’s relationship develops, the word “impact” seems to ﬁt. The more than 44 million

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 115

114 Gary & Amy.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:05 PM Page 116

TOGETHER TOGETHER TOGETHER

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PGA TOUR’S CHARITABLE EFFORTS AND HOW YOU CAN HELP AT PGATOUR.COM/IMPACT

114 Gary & Amy.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:05 PM Page 117

people who viewed their viral video would agree, including The Thunderbirds. They helped Amy make an impact on others by presenting her I GOT THIS Foundation with a check for $25,000 at the 2020 celebration. "It was an incredibly generous gift from The Thunderbirds and Waste Management," said Amy’s trusty caddie, dad. "Our goal with the foundation is to pay it forward, to provide the same opportunities for other people with intellectual disabilities that Amy's had. And we began the foundation by asking people to make a donation at Amy's birthday party [in October] in lieu of gifts. And so, a very sizable gift from The Thunderbirds really goes a long way towards getting the foundation off the ground and up and running. So, we'll put it to good use." With the Bockersettes, it’s a family effort: Amy’s father, Joe; mother, Jenny; and sister, Lindsey, joined by her husband, David, all pitch in to guide the organization. “She had this great moment, it’s continued on, clearly there is a greater platform that is available here,” said Lindsey. “Golf is really a sport for everyone. This foundation allows us to spread that message.” The I GOT THIS Foundation provides grants to groups delivering golf instruction and clinics for people with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. The movement rests on the fact that golf is a sport anyone can learn, play and enjoy while providing a great social experience for families and friends. Again, The Thunderbirds agree. They have been rolling proceeds from the WM Phoenix Open into engaging the next generation of golfers and their families for decades. In fact, Amy is an alum of one of the organizations supported by The Thunderbirds, LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix. With a swing thought like “I got this,” it’s no wonder Amy came through when given the opportunity. Her dad, for one, wasn’t surprised. “She’s very good under pressure,” said Joe. “She sort of rises to the occasion…the bigger the moment, the more likely she’ll hit the ball well.” Her performance under incredible pressure that day was greatly ampliﬁed by the viral nature of digital media, and among all the cat videos, epic fails and political arguments, Woodland placed Amy’s moment above all of them as “by far the coolest thing I’ve ever experienced. I’ve never rooted so hard for somebody on a golf course.”

Now that ’s impact!

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 117

116 Kobe.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:08 PM Page 118

KOBE

NO WORDS As the reactions poured in from the tragic death of Kobe Bryant, arguably one of the greatest athletes of all time, most couldn’t muster the words to describe the impact the news had on their lives. The entire professional sporting community reacted in unison to the horrifying news of the helicopter crash in Calabasas, California on Sunday, Jan. 26. It took the lives of all nine souls aboard the plane including Bryant’s daughter Gianna. It was a true loss. Something unfathomable and jarring – begging immediate introspection into one’s own mortality, family and legacy. Some fans suffering from disbelief even hoped the story was an elaborate joke from someone without a conscience. It wasn’t. And we all were forced to face a world without the presence of a true leader in the athletic community – one whose approach to life resonated with any and all who champion the American ethic of hard work and desire to be the best versions of themselves. If you were a Kobe Bryant fan, you likely used the word “hero” a lot. Maybe it was “respect,” like most Phoenix residents who constantly found themselves on a teeter totter between incredible admiration and fanatic loathing due to Bryant’s record against their hometown Suns. Most everyone knew his name, and if they knew the name, they likely knew of the athletic prowess and respect that came with it. He was more than just an icon. He was transcendent. And we learned that after hearing the horrible news — for the first time — just how widespread his legacy is. Among the millions moved by love and loss were PGA TOUR professionals and fans of the Waste Management Phoenix Open who shared stories in an attempt to connect to those reeling from the tragic death of an all-time sports great. “Kobe Bryant was my HERO growing up,” said 2015 WM Phoenix Open Champion and four-time Major champion Brooks Koepka. “Even up to this day he was an inspiration to the way I approached things. I woke up every day and

saw this quote [p.117] every time I opened my phone. His mentality motivated me not only in hard times but throughout my whole life. RIP, Kobe.” One of the all-time PGA TOUR greats and three-time WM Phoenix Open champion Phil Mickelson said, “Mourning with the rest of the world the tragic loss of the legend Kobe, his daughter Gianna, and all of the other passengers. This is just devastating and there are no words to describe the sadness and loss we are all feeling. We are so sorry.” Two PGA TOUR stars in the 2020 WM Phoenix Open field were among the most vocal in their support for the Bryant family, Tony Finau and Justin Thomas. A well-documented fan of Kobe’s, Finau donned the NBA legend’s jersey during the third round of the 2020 WM Phoenix Open in tribute to the star’s passing. Finau spoke about how Bryant’s book shaped his approach to the game. “His work ethic I think is something that will be talked about, that’s what his legacy is I think,” Finau said. “‘The Mamba Mentality’ is a book that I’ve read. I remember actually wearing his shoes out here in 2016, just giving him props for ‘The Mamba Mentality’ and kind of what he taught a lot of athletes in pursuing your dreams. I think his legacy for sure is one of hard work and commitment to your craft.” Thomas, 2017 PGA Championship and 13-time PGA TOUR title winner, noted how much he admired Bryant and what he learned from his book Tony Finau

118 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

116 Kobe.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:08 PM Page 119

“The Mamba Mentality,” before honoring Bryant by wearing his famed Lower Marion High School jersey and comple-menting his wedges with Kobe-inspired stamps. "I've never met him," Thomas said before the 2020 WM Phoenix Open. "I've always wanted to meet him, but it's just for someone to have an impact on somebody that I've never met, never been around, is bizarre… I mean, obviously, he's freakishly talented but why he was better than everybody else is because he was going to work harder to get there and just kind of will himself to be a winner. And that's something that I hope to do when I'm out there playing, when I have a chance to win the tournament, I want to have that Mamba mentality, if you will, to try to close it out."

It was fitting Justin Thomas birdied the 16th on Saturday wearing a Bryant jersey. The crowd roared and chanted the late star’s name as Thomas briefly paused to acknowledge the importance of the moment. And for basketball fans – really any sports fans – calling “Kobe” when tossing a piece of paper will forever have a more solemn meaning.

As the news ripped through sports fans’ hearts throughout the world, the PGA TOUR and WM Phoenix Open officials hatched a plan to honor the late Lakers star. The Saturday pin location on the famed 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale would be placed 24 paces on and eight paces left – an homage to the two numbers Bryant wore during his five-NBA-Championship career in Los Angeles. The pin flags were colored Laker’s purple and gold and the hole itself was cut at 8:24 AM. Bryant’s jersey numbers were also etched into the grass leading up to the 16th green.

Bryson DeChambeau

Max Homa

Bryson DeChambeau

Justin Thomas WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 119

116 Kobe.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:08 PM Page 120

116 Kobe.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:08 PM Page 121

120 WM Story.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:10 PM Page 122

ON THE COURSE AND AT HOME, IT’S IMPORTANT TO

RECYCLE RIGHT From Amazon packages, soda cans and detergent bottles to empty pizza boxes, residential waste and recycling containers continue to be packed as the stay-at-home and work-from-home era continues. During the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic – in the spring of 2020 – residential waste volume shot up by 25 percent. The amount has since decreased but remains well above pre-pandemic levels. With millions working, shopping, eating and schooling at home, WM’s push to educate the public on the importance of Recycling Right has taken on greater significance. Recycling Right means bottles, cans, paper and cardboard only, while keeping food, liquid and plastic bags out of recycling bins – and no bagged recyclables. “In 2020, we witnessed a rapid acceleration of a pre-pandemic trend, which was the move to at-home deliveries and shipments from online retailers,” said Waste Management President and CEO Jim Fish. “Cardboard has increased in the residential stream by approximately 20 percent over the past few years, and recently with COVID we have seen increases in cardboard and additional bottles and cans.”

122 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

The increase in recyclable materials such as cardboard, bottles, cans and paper coming through WM facilities is encouraging as Americans are generally placing items in the correct containers. Contamination, however, remains an issue. Food and liquid placed in recycle containers contaminates recyclable materials, while plastic bags get caught in machinery and slow the process. Contamination puts recyclable materials at risk of not making it through the process to a second life. “The beauty of cardboard is that it can be easily recycled and return in a second, third and fourth life as more cardboard,” added Fish. “If it gets wet or has food remnants on it, the contamination puts the whole process in jeopardy.” In recycling speak the term “second life” is significant as it begins to define the new purpose for a product. A plastic water bottle may have a second life as a shirt, jacket, hat or towel. An aluminum can is infinitely recyclable and can return as another aluminum can, a cup or used in manufacturing. Other recyclable plastics can return as carpet and flooring.

120 WM Story.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:10 PM Page 123

The use of post-consumer recycled content in making these second-life products ultimately saves natural resources. “Conserving our finite natural resources and creating more market demand for post-consumer content is a win for our planet and for recycling programs,” said Fish. Waste Management is helping to close the “recycling loop” by working with manufacturers and retailers to create more market demand for post-consumer content. Recycled materials generated at the WM Phoenix Open, for example, will go on to create new products. Companies taking recycled materials and producing new products for the WM Phoenix Open include Puma and Bermuda Sands. Even those Recycle and Compost bins used at the tournament are made from recycled cardboard by Pratt Industries.

“As the largest recycler in North America, Waste Management is a leader in promoting sustainability and environmental solutions,” said Brent Bell, vice president of recycling, Waste Management. “Educating fans about how to Recycle Right at home and at the WM Phoenix Open is a cornerstone of our company.”

In an effort to engage fans following on social media and further their Recycle Right message in a fun and entertaining way, WM is holding the “The Green Bucket List Trip Sweepstakes” during the 2021 WM Phoenix Open. The Green Bucket List Trip Sweepstakes gives fans the chance to win a once-ina-lifetime VIP trip to the 2022 WM Phoenix Open and includes airfare, accommodations, 2022 VIP tickets to the WM Green Suite on the 16th hole, 2022 Birds Nest concert tickets, and a round of golf. To enter the sweepstakes, fans should share videos and photos on their social platforms, while tagging @wastemanagement and including the hashtag #Greenbucketlist. Videos or photos must include a reference to recycling and a reference to tournament-related activities and people. Six finalists will be chosen based on how well their knowledge of Recycling Right was displayed, creativity and entertainment. The sweepstakes winner will be determined via a fan vote on wm.com in late February 2021. The 2021 WM Phoenix Open may look and feel different due to the pandemic; however, WM’s zero-waste approach continues – and it starts with Recycling Right. Since 2012, WM has diverted tournament waste through recycling, composting, donation, reuse or creating energy. “We take our role as an industry leader seriously and use our position as title sponsor of the WM Phoenix Open to demonstrate that zero waste environmental solutions and recycling initiatives can and do work,” stated Fish. Whether Recycling Right at home or at the tournament, always working for a sustainable tomorrow and making a positive difference for our planet is something we can all take seriously.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 123

122 Highlights.Recrds.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:16 PM Page 124

“It's always fun making birdie on 16. Then that catapulted me, I birdied 17.” — WYNDHAM CLARK

Wyndham Clark

J.B. Holmes

“There's a mixture of people out here. Some are really knowledgeable and some that are just having fun, so you got everybody out here at this event.”

Webb Simpson

— J.B. HOLMES

Billy Horschel

Rickie Fowler

124 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

122 Highlights.Recrds.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:16 PM Page 125

On the heels of three straight missed cuts, Wyndham Clark shot a 10-under 61 to earn the first-round lead in his second WM Phoenix Open appearance. Eight birdies in a 10hole stretch turbocharged his round, sparked by a tight tee shot at No. 16. “I felt like I almost made a hole-in-one,” Clark later recalled. “It was going right at the flag, landed right by the cup and went to about 6 feet, and I made the putt. It's always fun making birdie on 16. Then that catapulted me. I birdied 17 and then I birdied 1, 2 and 3 on my back side. So that was kind of my best shot.” His career-low 61 fell one stroke short of the event’s 18-hole record set by Phil Mickelson twice (2013, 2005), Mark Calcavecchia (2001) and Grant Waite (1996). Riding a hot putter, Billy Horschel finished in second place at 8-under 63, two shots off the pace. He managed to roll in a career-best 195’11” of putts, including two from more than 40 feet away. One shot behind Horschel, J.B. Holmes electrified the gallery with an ace at No. 4. The two-time WM Phoenix Open champion looked to become the fifth player with at least three victories in the event (Phil Mickelson, Mark Calcavecchia, Gene Littler, Arnold Palmer). His first nine holes, however, featured a few ups and downs. He doubled the par-4 second, birdied 3, aced No. 4, bogeyed 5 and birdied 8. "The first five holes were up there, quite the roller coaster,” said Holmes. “But after that I made some pars. Unfortunately, I've had nines and stuff like that before.” Eventual champion Webb Simpson shot even-par 71 to sit at T66, and defending champion Rickie Fowler posted a 3-over 74, ironically, the same score that was good enough to clinch the championship a year earlier.

ROUND 2 J.B. Holmes touched off another salvo of artillery with a 321-yard drive on No. 17 (his 8th hole of the day), which settled 6’ 6” from the cup. The eagle-2 topped off birdies at 13, 15 and 16. Holmes’ grasp on a third championship began to tighten, and the gallery knew it. “Yeah – people yelling, ‘go get the third one’ and stuff like that,” he said. “There's a mixture of people out here. Some are really knowledgeable and some that are just having fun, so you got everybody out here at this event.” In first place by one stroke at 13-under par, Holmes was closely shadowed by Clark, who picked up birdies at 17 and 18 to fire a second-round 69. Clark’s combined 12under 130 marked his best score to par through 36 holes on the PGA TOUR. “I've been in this position a few times,” said Clark. “It's a fun week for me. I have a lot of friends here, I live here, so it's a home event.” Billy Horschel posted a 3-under 68 to finish the second round in third place, two strokes off the lead, and for the second-consecutive day, he made eagle on the par-5, 3rd hole.

2020

EVENT

HIGHLIGHTS

ROUND 1

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 125

122 Highlights.Recrds.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:16 PM Page 126

“I'm not sure, I've just hit really good fairway woods in there,” he explained. “Hit a perfect 5-wood yesterday and today was a perfect high-cut soft 3-wood into that green and landed it in the only soft spot, I guess, on the green early in the morning when the greens are rock-hard and ended up 15 feet behind the hole.” Meanwhile, Webb Simpson vaulted into a tie for 8th place after an 8-under-par 63; Rickie Fowler rallied to make the cut with 6-under 65; and Tony Finau moved up to T-12 thanks to five birdies on the day.

Tony Finau

Hudson Swafford

ROUND 3 When the dust settled on Saturday, Tony Finau held a one-stroke lead at 16-under par, after posting a careerlow-tying, 9-under-par 62. The bogey-free round included four birdies on the front nine and a five-hole, five-under-par stretch on the back nine. “When I eagled 13, I knew there was a lot of scoring holes in front of me, but when I eagled 13, I said at that point, ‘let's try and take command of this golf tournament,’ and I was able to do that,” said Finau.

Collin Morikawa

126 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

A huge Kobe Bryant fan, Finau donned a Lakers jersey on No. 16 and “damn near made it.” Finau went on to say that the tragedy “confirmed to me how important family is, my family, my kids. And again, it's a sad time for the Kobe fans and his family, we're thinking about him.”

122 Highlights.Recrds.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:16 PM Page 127

As it turned out, Webb Simpson may have been the one who received a tip-in from Bryant. He aced the par-3, 12th hole en route to 7-under-par 64. After opening with an even-par 71, Simpson quickly moved up the leaderboard to second place at 15-under par. “That hole has gotten louder and louder,” Simpson recalled. “Kind of what 16 used to be a few years ago. Great environment out there, perfect number for me.” Hudson Swafford moved into contention at 14-under par, after steady rounds of 66-67-66. He joined J.B. Holmes in third place. And interestingly, Collin Morikawa becomes the first player at TPC Scottsdale since 1987 with three eagles in a round. “The first par-5, on 3, I didn’t really hit a great shot but got away with it and had a good lie in the bunker and just felt like I was going to make it,” he said. “Then hit a good shot on 13, and 15 was a great shot as well. So I’m happy.”

FINAL ROUND Leading up to an exciting finish, Finau and Simpson made the turn tied for the lead. At the par-5 15th hole, the momentum appeared to be in Finau’s favor after a Simpson miscue left him two strokes behind Finau with three to play. Simpson responded by buzzing the flagstick on No. 16, but failed to hole the 18-footer. He then made a birdie-3 on the par-4, 17th and another birdie on the 18th hole to force a playoff. Finau did have an opportunity to ice the tournament on the final hole, but his 8-footer for birdie slid by the low side.

Webb Simpson Back to 18 they went for the first playoff hole. The second time ended up much like the first time - Simpson left himself with a similar putt, but shorter, and he nailed it for the win. “The first one, I had it right center, Paul had a ball out, so we split our reads,” said Simpson. “I went right edge or I think that's what I did. And, yeah, he helped me there. And then in the playoff it was a little shorter, more break, I was closer to pin-high and that was a cup-out right-to-left, and that one we agreed on, which made me feel better. And that one caught the right side.” The 34-year-old put up three birdies in the last three holes (including the playoff) for his sixth PGA TOUR win. Despite a competitive streak a mile wide, Simpson explained that edging out his good friend was anything but business as usual.

Bubba Watson

“It's hard. He is a great friend. Our wives are friends and he's one of the best guys on TOUR. So it is a bit tough. You never want to see a guy play poorly. You hope you both play well and you hope you win by one. That is kind of what we all feel. But he's going to win many golf tournaments and it's fun to go head-to-head with a good buddy.” Justin Thomas, Bubba Watson and Nate Lashley tied for third, three back, and defending champion Rickie Fowler mustered a T37 finish. n

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 127

122 Highlights.Recrds.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:16 PM Page 128

WM Phoenix open RECORD BOOK how low can you go? LOW 18:

LOW LAST 36:

LOW 54:

60:

Phil Mickelson / 2013 / TPC / 1st

125: Scott Piercy / 2013 / TPC

189: Phil Mickeson / 2013 / TPC

60:

Phil Mickelson / 2005 / TPC / 2nd

128: Vijay Singh / 2003 / TPC

189: Mark Calcavecchia / 2001 / TPC

60:

Mark Calcavecchia / 2001 / TPC / 2nd

128: Lee Janzen / 2002 / TPC

191: Steve Jones / 1997 / TPC

60:

Grant Waite / 1996 / TPC / 4th

128: Lanny Wadkins / 1982 / Phoenix CC

193: Rickie Fowler / 2019 / TPC

61:

Wyndham Clark 61 / 2020 / TPC / 1st

128: Billy Casper / 1971 / Arizona CC

195: Rocco Mediate / 2001 / TPC

61:

Scott Piercy / 2013 / TPC / 4th

128: Gene Littler / 1969 / Arizona CC

196: David Duval / 1997 / TPC

61:

J.J. Henry / 2006 / TPC / 2nd

128: Aaron Baddeley / 2007 / TPC

196: Hal Sutton / 1986 / Phoenix CC

61:

Don Pooley / 1986 / Phoenix CC

129: Martin Laird / 2011 / TPC

196: Johnny Miller / 1975 / Phoenix CC 196: Miller Barber / 1971 / Arizona CC

61:

Ben Crenshaw / 1979 / Phoenix CC

61:

Johnny Miller / 1975 / Phoenix CC

LOW CONSECUTIVE 36:

196: Harrison Frazar / 2003 / TPC

61:

Homero Blancas / 1972 / Phoenix CC Johnny Miller / 1970 / Phoenix CC

124: Mark Calcavecchia / 2001 / TPC / 2nd, 3rd

196: Tommy Gainey / 2011 / TPC

61: 62:

Ryan Moore / 2013 / TPC / 4th

125: Phil Mickelson / 2013 / TPC / 1st, 2nd

62:

Steve Stricker / 2001 / TPC

125: Scott Piercy / 2013 / TPC / 3rd, 4th

62:

Steve Jones / 1997 / TPC

126: Phil Mickelson / 2005 / TPC / 2nd, 3rd

62:

Mark Calcavecchia / 1996 / TPC

62:

Curt Byrum / 1996 / TPC

LOW BACK 9 AT TPC:

62:

Doug Tewell / 1987 / TPC

29:

62:

J.C. Snead / 1973 / Arizona CC

29:

Rickie Fowler / 2011 / 2nd

62:

Billy Casper / 1971 / Arizona CC

29:

J.J. Henry / 2006 / 2nd

62:

Gene Littler / 1969 / Arizona CC

29:

Scott Verplank / 1998

62:

Doug Sanders / 1961 / Arizona CC

29:

Grant Waite / 1996

62:

Harrison Frazar / 2003 / TPC

62:

Camilo Villegas / 2010 / TPC

LOW FRONT 9 AT TPC:

62:

Rickie Fowler / 2011 / TPC

28:

Chris DiMarco / 2003 / 3rd

62:

Brendan Steele / 2014 / TPC / 3rd

29:

Webb Simpson / 2020 / 2nd

29:

Ted Potter Jr. 2013 / 3rd

LOW FIRST 36:

29:

Mark Wilson / 2012 / 4th

125: Phil Mickelson / 2013 / TPC

29:

Troy Matteson / 2009 / 3rd

125: Mark Calcavecchia / 2001 / TPC

29:

Phil Mickelson / 2005 / 2nd

126: Steve Jones / 1997 / TPC

29:

John Huston / 2003 / 1st

128: J.J. Henry / 2006 / TPC

29:

Rory Sabbatini / 2003 / 2nd

128: Hal Sutton / 1986 / Phoenix CC

29:

Vijay Singh / 2003 / 4th

128: Ben Crenshaw / 1979 / Phoenix CC

29:

Steve Stricker / 2001

LOW 72:

128: Johnny Miller / 1975 / Phoenix CC

29:

Mark Calcavecchia / 2001

256: Phil Mickelson / 2013 / TPC

128: Tommy Gainey / 2011 / TPC

29:

Hal Sutton / 1993

256: Mark Calcavecchia / 2001 / TPC

128: Spencer Levin / 2012 / TPC

29:

Dillard Pruitt / 1992

258: Steve Jones / 1997 / TPC

129: Rickie Fowler / 2019 / TPC

29:

Mark Lye / 1991

260: Johnny Miller / 1975 / Phoenix CC

129: Tim Petrovic / 2003 / TPC

29:

Davis Love III / 1989

260: Brandt Snedker / 2013 / TPC

129: Harrison Frazar / 2003 / TPC

29:

Steve Elkington / 1989

261: Miller Barber / 1971 / Arizona CC

129: Jeff Quinney / 2007 / TPC

29:

Bob Lohr / 1988

261: Vijay Singh / 2003 / TPC

129: Mark Wilson / 2011 / TPC

29:

Payne Stewart / 1987

261: Scott Piercy / 2013 / TPC

128 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

196: Spencer Levin / 2012 / TPC

Phil Mickelson / 2013 / 1st

wmphoenix open

| 128 | #thepeoplesopen

Hideki Matsuyama

LOW CONSECUTIVE 54: 189: Phil Mickeson / 2013 / TPC 1st, 2nd, 3rd 189: Mark Calcavecchia / 2001 / TPC 1st, 2nd, 3rd 191: Scott Piercy / 2013 / TPC 2nd, 3rd, 4th

122 Highlights.Recrds.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:16 PM Page 129

winner by year 2020 Webb Simpson

$ 1,314,000

71 63 64 69 267

1975 Johnny Miller

30,000

67 61 68 64 260

2019 Rickie Fowler

$ 1,278,000

64 65 64 74 267

1974 Johnny Miller

30,000

69 69 66 67 271

2018 Gary Woodland

$ 1,242,000

67 68 67 64 266

1973 Bruce Crampton

30,000

68 67 68 65 268

2017 Hideki Matsuyama $ 1,206,000

65 68 70 67 270

1972 Homero Blancas

25,000

70 61 73 69 273

2016 Hideki Matsuyama $ 1,170,000

65 68 70 67 270

1971 Miller Barber

25,000

65 64 67 65 261

2015 Brooks Koepka

$ 1,134,000

71 68 64 66 269

1970 Dale Douglass

30,000

71 66 68 66 271

2014 Kevin Stadler

$ 1,116,000

65 68 67 68 268

1969 Gene Littler

30,000

69 66 62 66 263

2013 Phil Mickelson

$ 1,116,000

60 65 64 67 256

1968 George Knudson

30,000

67 64 70 71 272

2012 Kyle Stanley

$ 1,098,000

69 66 69 65 269

1967 Julius Boros

14,000

69 67 69 67 272

2011 Mark Wilson

$ 1,098,000

65 64 68 69 266

1966 Dudley Wysong

9,000

73 69 70 66 278

2010 Hunter Mahan

$ 1,080,000

68 70 65 65 268

1965 Rod Funseth

10,500

71 68 68 67 274

2009 Kenny Perry

$ 1,080,000

72 63 66 69 270

1964 Jack Nicklaus

7,500

71 66 68 66 271

2008 J.B. Holmes

$ 1,080,000

68 65 66 71 270

1963 Arnold Palmer

5,300

68 67 68 70 273

2007 Aaron Baddeley

$ 1,080,000

65 70 64 64 263

1962 Arnold Palmer

5,300

64 68 71 66 269

2006 J.B. Holmes

936,000

68 64 65 66 263

1961 Arnold Palmer

4,300

69 65 66 70 270

2005 Phil Mickelson

936,000

73 60 66 68 267

1960 Jack Fleck

3,150

68 68 71 66 273

2004 Jonathan Kaye

936,000

65 68 66 67 266

1959 Gene Littler

2,400

67 63 67 71 268

2003 Vijay Singh

720,000

67 66 65 63 261

1958 Ken Venturi

2,000

70 68 66 70 274

2002 Chris DiMarco

720,000

68 64 66 69 267

1987 Billy Casper

2,000

68 71 65 67 271

2001 Mark Calcavecchia $

720,000

65 60 64 67 256

1956 Cary Middlecoff

2,400

72 66 70 68 276

2000 Tom Lehman

576,000

63 67 73 67 270

1955 Gene Littler

2,400

66 70 68 71 275

1999 Rocco Mediate

540,000

69 67 66 71 273

1954 Ed Furgol

2,000

71 68 65 68 272

1998 Jesper Parnevik

450,000

68 68 66 67 269

1953 Lloyd Mangrum

2,000

71 68 63 70 272

1997 Steve Jones

270,000

62 64 65 67 258

1952 Lloyd Mangrum

2,000

68 69 67 70 274

1996 Phil Mickelson

234,000

69 67 66 67 269

1951 Lew Worsham

2,000

70 69 63 70 272

1995 Vijay Singh

234,000

70 67 66 66 269

1950 Jimmy Demaret

2,000

64 67 69 69 269

1994 Bill Glasson

216,000

68 68 68 64 268

1949 Jimmy Demaret

2,000

69 71 65 73 278

1993 Lee Janzen

180,000

67 65 73 68 273

1948 Bobby Locke

2,000

65 69 67 67 268

1992 Mark Calcavecchia $

180,000

69 65 67 63 264

1947 Ben Hogan

2,000

67 64 70 69 270

1991 Nolan Henke

180,000

65 66 66 71 268

1946 Ben Hogan

1,500

66 68 71 68 273

1990 Tommy Armour III $

162,000

65 67 67 68 267

1945 Byron Nelson

1,000

68 65 72 69 274

1989 Mark Calcavecchia $

126,000

66 68 65 64 263

1944 Harold McSpaden

1,000

74 67 64 68 273

1988 Sandy Lyle

117,000

68 68 68 65 269

1943 NO TOURNAMENT

1987 Paul Azinger

108,000

67 69 65 67 268

1942 Herman Barron

1,000

69 69 71 67 276

1986 Hal Sutton

90,000

64 64 68 71 267

1941 Ed Oliver

1,000

1985 Calvin Peete

81,000

65 65 72 68 270

1940 Ed Oliver

700

69 72 64

205

1984 Tom Purtzer

72,000

68 67 68 65 268

1939 Byron Nelson

700

68 65 65

198

1983 Bob Gilder

63,000

68 68 66 69 271

1938 NO TOURNAMENT

1982 Lanny Wadkins

54,000

65 70 63 65 263

1937 NO TOURNAMENT $

67 72 67 69 275

1981 David Graham

54,000

65 68 69 66 268

1936 NO TOURNAMENT

1980 Jeff Mitchell

54,000

69 67 69 67 272

1935 Ky Laffoon

500

69 73 71 68 281

1979 Ben Crenshaw

33,750

67 61 71

40,000

68 69 70 65 272

1934 Two-man best ball $ 100 Ky Laffoon & Barry Goldwater

1978 Miller Barber 1977 Jerry Pate

40,000

67 67 70 73 277

1933 Harry Cooper

400

70 68 71 72 281

68 67 66 67 268

1932 Ralph Guldahl

600

67 74 76 68 285

1976 Bob Gilder

40,000

199

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 129

122 Highlights.Recrds.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:16 PM Page 130

Record Book MOST BIRDIES IN 72 HOLES:

LOWEST 2ND ROUND:

32:

Mark Calcavecchia / 2001 / TPC

60:

Phil Mickelson / 2005 / TPC

29:

Phil Mickelson / 2013 / TPC

60:

Mark Calcavecchia / 2001 / TPC

MOST UNDER PAR ON PAR 3S AT TPC SINCE 1987

61:

J.J. Henry / 2006 / TPC

61:

Don Pooley / 1986 / Phoenix CC

61:

Ben Crenshaw / 1979 / Phoenix CC

-9

Phil Mickelson / 2013

61:

Johnny Miller / 1975 / Phoenix CC

-7

Chris DiMarco / 2003

61:

Homero Blancas / 1972 / Phoenix CC

-7

Scott Hoch / 2003

62:

Steve Stricker / 2001 / TPC

62:

Steve Stricker / 2003 / TPC

62:

Rickie Fowler / 2011 / TPC

MOST PLAYERS LOWER THAN 20-UNDER PAR AT TPC 4–

2013 Phil Mickelson / -28 Brandt Snedeker / -24 Scott Piercy / -23 Ryan Moore / -22

LOWEST 3RD ROUND: 61:

Johnny Miller / 1970 / Phoenix CC

62:

Doug Tewell / 1987 / TPC

2007 Aaron Baddley / -21 John Rollins / -20

62:

Gene Littler / 1969 / Arizona CC

62:

Chris DiMarco / 2003 / TPC

2–

2003 Vijay Singh / -23 John Huston / -20

62:

Brendan Steele / 2014 / TPC

2–

2001 Mark Calcavecchia / -28 Rocco Mediate / -20

LOWEST 4TH ROUND:

2–

60:

Grant Waite / 1996 / TPC

61:

Scott Piercy / 2013 / TPC

Phil Mickelson

MOST CONSECUTIVE BIRDIES AT THE TPC: 7:

J.J. Henry / 2006 / holes 9-15

LOWEST 4TH ROUND BY WINNER:

Justin Thomas / 2018 / holes 1-6

63:

Mark Calcavecchia / 1992 / TPC

Rickie Fowler

Justin Leonard / 2004 / holes 13-18

63:

Vijay Singh / 2003 / TPC

Chris DiMarco / 2004 / holes 10-15

64:

Aaron Baddeley / 2007 / TPC

YOUNGEST PHOENIX OPEN WINNERS:

Steve Stricker / 2003 / holes 11-16

65:

Hunter Mahan / 2010 / TPC

Ralph Guldahl / 1932 / 20 Y / 2 M / 9 D

Ed Fiori / 1992

65:

Kyle Stanley / 2012 / TPC

Jerry Pate / 1977: 23 Y / three M / three D

Mark Lye / 1991 / holes 1-6

J.B. Holmes / 2006: 23 Y / nine M / 9 D HIGHEST 4TH ROUND BY WINNER:

Kyle Stanley / 2012: 24 Y / two M / 17 D

LONGEST BIRDIE-EAGLE STREAK AT TPC:

74:

Rickie Fowler / 2019 / TPC

Brooks Koepka / 2015: 24 Y / eight M / 26 D

Grant Waite / 1996 / E / B / E / B / B

73:

Jerry Pate / 1977 / Phoenix CC

Ben Crenshaw / 1995 / B / E / B / B / B

73:

Jimmy Demaret / 1949 / Phoenix CC

OLDEST PHOENIX OPEN WINNERS:

Ken Green / 1994 / B / E / B / E / B

72:

Harry Cooper / 1933 / Phoenix CC

Kenny Perry / 2009: 48 Y / 3 M / 21 D

71:

Rocco Mediate / 1999 / TPC

Julius Boros / 1967: 46 Y / 11 M / 9 D

LOWEST 1ST ROUND:

71:

Nolan Henke / 1991 / TPC

Miller Barber / 1978: 46 Y / 10 M / 2 D

60:

Phil Mickelson / 2013 / TPC

71:

J.B. Holmes / 2008 / TPC

Phil Mickelson / 2013: 42 Y / 7 M / 18 D

61:

Wyndham Clark / 2020 / TPC

62:

Steve Jones / 1997 / TPC

LOWEST START BY WINNER:

62:

J.C. Snead / 1973 / Arizona CC

60:

Phil Mickelson / 2013 / TPC

62:

Harrison Frazar / 2003 / TPC

62:

Steve Jones / 1997 / TPC

62:

Camilo Villegas / 2010 / TPC

130 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

Calvin Peete / 1985: 41 Y / 6 M / 2 D PGA TOUR ROOKIES TO WIN THE PHOENIX OPEN: J.B. Holmes / 2006

122 Highlights.Recrds.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:16 PM Page 131

LARGEST LEADING MARGINS:

30:

Phil Mickelson

4 shots / Phil Mickelson / 2013 / TPC

29:

Gene Littler

3 shots / Davis Love III / 1988 / TPC

29:

Jerry Barber

3 shots / Arnold Palmer / 1962 / Phoenix CC

29:

Jim Ferrier

3 shots / Paul Runyan / 1940 / Phoenix CC

28:

Tom Purtzer

28:

Johnny Bulla

27:

Mark Calcavecchia

AFTER 18 HOLES:

Brooks Koepka FIRST CAREER WIN AT THE PHOENIX OPEN:

AFTER 36 HOLES:

2015 Brooks Koepka

MOST YEARS PLAYED:

2014 Kevin Stadler

6 shots / Johnny Miller / 1975 / Phoenix CC

27:

Dale Douglass

2012 Kyle Stanley

6 shots / Byron Nelson / 1939 / Phoenix CC

26:

Miller Barber

2006 J.B. Holmes

5 shots / Mark Calcavecchia / 2001 / TPC

26:

Kenny Perry

1998 Jesper Parnevik

5 shots / Steve Jones / 1997 / TPC

26:

Billy Mayfair

1990 Tommy Armour III

5 shots / Spencer Levin / 2012 / TPC

25:

Paul Azinger

1987 Paul Azinger

4 shots / J.J. Henry / 2006 / TPC

25:

Howard Twitty

24:

Bill Johnson

1980 Jeff Mitchell

23:

Bob Gilder

12 shots / Byron Nelson / 1939 / Phoenix CC

23:

Tommy Armour III

1965 Rod Funseth

7 shots / Johnny Miller / 1975 / Phoenix CC

23:

Rocco Mediate

1954 Ed Furgol

6 shots / Phil Mickelson / 2013 / TPC 6 shots / Mark Calcavecchia / 2001 / TPC

MOST ROUNDS PLAYED:

FIRST CAREER WIN IN HIS FIRST START AT THE PHOENIX OPEN:

6 shots / Rocco Mediate / 1999 / TPC

107: Gene Littler

6 shots / Spencer Levin / 2012 / TPC

106: Phil Mickelson

AFTER 54 HOLES:

1976 Bob Gilder 1966 Dudley Wysong

Brooks Koepka

2015

Kyle Stanley

2012

J.B. Holmes

2006

COME-FROM-BEHIND VICTORIES: 8 SHOTS BACK AFTER 18 HOLES:

Harold McSpaden / 1944 TWO-TIME PHOENIX OPEN WINNERS:

93:

Tom Purtzer

92:

Mark Calcavecchia

89:

Kenny Perry

87:

Jim Ferrier

86:

Paul Azinger

86:

Don January

Hideki Matsuyama:

2016 / 2017

J.B. Holmes:

2006 / 2008

Brooks Koepka / 2015

85:

Jerry Barber

84:

Billy Mayfair

7 SHOTS BACK AFTER 18 HOLES:

Vijay Singh:

1995 / 2003

Kenny Perry / 2009

Bob Gilder:

1976 / 1983

Dale Douglass / 1970

Miller Barber:

1971 / 1978

Dudley Wysong / 1966

Johnny Miller:

1974 / 1975

Ed Furgol / 1954

Lloyd Mangrum:

1952 / 1953

Jimmy Demaret:

1949 / 1950

Byron Nelson:

1939 / 1945

6 SHOTS BACK AFTER 18 HOLES:

HIGHEST START BY WINNER: 74:

Harold McSpaden / 1944 / Phoenix CC

73:

Phil Mickelson / 2005 / TPC

73:

Dudley Wysong / 1966 / Phoenix CC

Vijay Singh / 1995

72:

Cary Middelcoff / 1956 / Phoenix CC Kenny Perry / 2009 / TPC Scottsdale

Ben Hogan:

1946 / 1947

Phil Mickelson / 2005

72:

Ed Oliver:

1940 / 1941

Hunter Mahan / 2010

71:

Dale Douglass / 1970 / Phoenix CC

71:

Rod Funseth / 1965 / Arizona CC

THREE-TIME PHOENIX OPEN WINNERS:

7 SHOTS BACK AFTER 36 HOLES:

71:

Jack Nicklaus / 1964 / Phoenix CC Ed Furgol / 1954 / Phoenix CC

Phil Mickelson:

1996 / 2005 / 2013

Brooks Koepka / 2015

71:

Mark Calcavecchia:

1989 / 1992 / 2001

Hunter Mahan / 2010

71:

Lloyd Mangrum / 1953 / Phoenix CC

Gene Littler:

1955 / 1959 / 1969

Sandy Lyle / 1988

70:

Vijay Singh / 1995 / TPC

Arnold Palmer:

1961 / 1962 / 1963

Dudley Wysong / 1966

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 131

122 Highlights.Recrds.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:16 PM Page 132

top money winners Holes-in-one

PLAYER

STARTS

OFFICIAL MONEY

Phil Mickelson

$4,198,677.57

2020: J.B. Holmes / 4th hole / 1st rnd. / 175 yards / 7-iron

Hideki Matsuyama

$3,330,011.67

2020: Scott Piercy / 7th hole / 2nd rnd. / 194 yards / 6-iron

Rickie Fowler

$3,270,913.00

2020: Webb Simpson / No. 12 / 3rd rnd. / 196 yards / 7-iron

Webb Simpson

$2,747,136.67

2019: Branden Grace / 7th hole / 193 yards / 8-iron

J.B. Holmes

$2,702,237.46

2016: Chad Campell / 7th hole / 194 yards / 6-iron

Bubba Watson

$2,458,911.85

2016: Jack Maquire / 12th hole / 206 yards / 7-iron

Vijay Singh

$2,156,115.35

2015: Francesco Molinari / 16th hole / 133 yards / PW

Kenny Perry

$2,146,161.02

2011: Jarrod Lyle / 16th hole / 150-yards / 8-iron

Gary Woodland

$1,919,135.83

2011: Brandan Steele / 12th hole / 174 yards

Hunter Mahan

$1,753,199.99

2008: Will Mackenzie / 12th hole / 185-yards / 6-iron

Chris DiMarco

$1,685,455.00

2007: Heath Slocum / 4th hole / 179-yards / 7-iron

Mark Calcavecchia

$1,656,700.24

2003: Bob Burns / 4th hole / 175 yards / 6-iron

Kevin Na

$1,655,209.76

2003: Tim Herron / 4th hole / 182 yards / 7-iron

Rocco Mediate

$1,550,127.72

2002: Mike Sposa / 16th hole / 7-iron / 2nd rnd.

Mark Wilson

$1,464,251.86

2001: Andrew Magee / 17th hole / par 4 / driver / 1st rnd.

Aaron Baddeley

$1,376,125.70

1998: Wayne Levi / 12th hole / 4-iron / 2nd rnd.

Brandt Snedeker

$1,360,600.70

1997: Steve Stricker / 16th hole / 6-iron / 4th rnd.

Scott Piercy

$1,338,667.87

1997: Tiger Woods / 16th hole / 9-iron / 3rd rnd.

John Rollins

$1,296,996.32

1992: Bruce Lietzke / 4th hole / 8-iron / 4th rnd.

Brendan Steele

$1,278,694.81

1992: Mark Calcavecchia / 4th hole / 8-iron / 1st rnd.

Kevin Stadler

$1,276,298.00

1991: Jay Delsing / 16th hole / 9-iron / 3rd rnd.

Ryan Palmer

$1,224,857.14

1990: Brad Bryant / 16th hole / 1st rnd.

Ben Crane

$1,218,770.99

1990: Andrew Magee / 4th hole / 1st rnd.

Martin Laird

$1,183,538.00

1990: David Edwards / 16th hole / 3rd rnd.

Brooks Koepka

$1,182,150.00

1990: Bill Sander / 4th hole / 9-iron / 3rd rnd.

Kyle Stanley

$1,159,369.83

1989: Billy Pierot / 7th hole / 1st rnd.

Tom Lehman

$1,145,690.80

1988: Hal Sutton / 16th hole / 3rd rnd.

Matt Kuchar

$1,103,815.55

1987: Larry Rinker / 12th hole / 5-iron / 2nd rnd.

Chez Reavie

$1,090,377.97

Ryan Moore

$1,086,198.80

SUDDEN-DEATH PLAYOFFS:

Jonathan Kaye

$1,065,622.86

2020: Webb Simpson def. Tony Finau / 1 hole

Justin Thomas

$1,064,250.00

2018: Gary Woodland def. Chez Reavie / 1 hole

David Toms

$1,017,144.20

2017: Hideki Matsuyama def. Webb Simpson / 4 holes 2016: Hideki Matsuyama def. Rickie Fowler / 4 holes

18-HOLE PLAYOFFS:

2011: Mark Wilson def. Jason Dufner / 2 holes

1961: Arnold Palmer / 67 def. Doug Sanders / 70

2009: Kenny Perry def. Charley Hoffman / 3 holes

1960: Jack Fleck / 68 def. Bill Collins / 71

2008: J.B. Holmes def. Phil Mickelson / 1 hole

1949: Jimmy Demaret / 67 def. Ben Hogan / 70

1996: Phil Mickelson def. Justin Leonard / 3 holes

1946: Ben Hogan / 68 def. Herman Keiser / 70

1995: Vijay Singh def. Billy Mayfair / 1 hole

1944: Harold McSpaden / 70 def. Byron Nelson / 72

1988: Sandy Lyle def. Fred Couples / 3 holes

132 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

122 Highlights.Recrds.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:16 PM Page 133

making the cut scoring averages by round YEAR 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987

CUT SCORE 141 141 141 141 143 143 141 138 142 139 139 142 140 140 141 145 142 138 141 140 142 147 142 141 142 141 141 141 141 140 143 143 141 142

# MAKING CUT 67 73 72 75 69 76 77 74 78 75 78 71 70 74 72 77 70 72 70 71 79 71 72 73 70 70 73 76 79 80 82 84 69 76

YEAR 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987

ROUND 1 70.591 70.386 70.893 70.939 70.847 70.697 70.341 69.015 70.470 69.885 70.111 71.356 70.508 70.377 70.473 74.145 70.894 69.667 71.394 69.977 70.748 74.523 71.076 71.045 71.000 72.242 70.780 70.588 70.712 70.361 72.077 70.389 71.951 71.141

ROUND 2 70.470 70.618 70.047 70.115 71.465 72.023 70.705 68.900 71.214 69.102 69.294 71.031 69.939 69.899 70.469 70.225 70.754 68.742 69.687 70.219 71.108 72.913 71.123 70.162 71.244 69.791 70.824 70.508 70.015 70.076 71.028 72.786 71.106 71.460

ROUND 3 69.164 69.479 69.903 69.200 71.014 69.553 70.338 69.365 70.878 68.689 70.244 69.887 69.986 69.270 69.806 70.078 69.329 68.639 69.843 71.592 69.797 71.958 71.000 69.288 69.814 69.986 70.548 72.299 69.633 69.650 71.277 70.129 71.714 69.724

ROUND 4 70.636 71.575 70.208 70.013 70.580 59.855 71.364 68.527 70.462 70.405 70.449 70.690 70.942 69.370 70.423 70.948 70.757 69.347 70.100 70.127 71.342 72.718 70.986 71.603 69.329 70.029 70.233 72.855 69.924 69.713 72.951 69.786 71.855 70.987

OVERALL 70.317 70.511 70.263 70.067 70.977 70.752 70.644 68.954 70.758 69.516 69.930 70.877 70.306 69.845 70.343 71.572 70.552 69.130 70.345 70.363 70.792 73.239 71.061 70.549 70.576 70.673 70.655 71.297 70.145 70.027 71.758 70.969 71.275 70.960

EXEMPTIONS â€“ LAST 10 YEARS * 2013 - No exemptions 2020 Viktor Hovland Harris English Sebastian Cappelen Kyle Westmoreland Scott Harrington

2018 Julian Suri Hunter Mahan Ricky Barnes Wyndham Clark Tom Lovelady

2016 Anirban Lahiri Paul Dunne Michael Kim Ricky Barnes Aaron Baddeley

2014 Kevin Tway Ricky Barnes Joe Ogilvie Kiradech Aphibarnrat John Peterso

2011 Tom Lehman Jeff Quinney Joe Ogilvie Gary Woodland John Mallinger

2019 John Catlin Bill Haas Matthew Wolff Stephan Jaeger Aaron Baddeley

2017 Brandon Hagy Camilo Villegas Andrew Johnston Mark Wilson Matt Jones

2015 Padraig Harrington Jon Rahm (A) Daniel Berger Tony Finau Justin Thomas

2012 Mark Calcavecchia Fred Couples Harris English Jeff Quinney Matt Jones

2010 Rickie Fowler Alvaro Quiros Sam Saunders Jonathan Kaye Chris DiMarco Billy Mayfair Joe Ogilvie WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 133

Thunderbirds and Lists.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:18 PM Page 134

ASSISTANT TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN

BIG CHIEF

TOURNAMENT CHAIRMAN

Michael Golding

Tim Woods

Scott Jenkins

thunderbird Council

Brandon Bell

Molly Carson

Chance Cozby

Jason Eisenberg

Scott Jenkins

Tom King

Jodi Noble

Tony Petelin

Rustin Roach

Brent Tally

George Thimsen

Craig Weems

Tim Woods

134 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

Thunderbirds and Lists.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:18 PM Page 135

thunderbird advisory board

Danny Calihan

Chance Cozby

Andy Markham

Dan Mahoney

Carlos Sugich

Tim Woods

Waste Management Phoenix Open Leadership Cabinet

David Baum

Darryl Berger

Keith Bierman

Eric Brandt

John Damiris

Ryan Duncan

Jason Eisenberg

Ryan Francisco

Ed Grant

Michael Golding

Ben Irwin

Tyler Kent

Dan Kronenberg

Luke Larson

Tony Petelin

Rustin Roach

Joe Saunders

Ian Swiergol

George Thimsen

Craig Weems

Pat Williams

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 135

Thunderbirds and Lists.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:18 PM Page 136

Active Thunderbirds Jason Adler Omar Alvarez Dave Baum Brandon Bell Darryl Berger Mike Bianco Eric Brandt Phil Calihan Chris Camacho Tyler Chester Tim Chester

John Damiris Ryan DiLandri Ryan Duncan Bull Earnhardt Dodge Earnhardt Jason Eisenberg Warren Forsythe Ryan Francisco Michael Golding Jason Goldman Ed Grant

Chris Maderazzo Billy Malkovich Blake Marum Andrew Medley Matt Mooney Tony Petelin Robbie Petty Blair Polachek Jason Pritchett JJ Putz Ben Quayle

John Harvey Ben Hayes Chris Hollenbeck Darcy Hordichuk Ben Irwin Scott Jenkins Rusty Kennedy Tyler Kent Dave King Dan Kronenberg Luke Larson

Rustin Roach Joe Saunders Drew Stoltz Ian Swiergol Brent Tally George Thimsen Geoff Turbow Zack Walz Pat Williams Jason Wood Tim Woods

Life Thunderbirds Tom Adelson Jeff Allen Tom Altieri Harry Amster Taber Anderson John Appelbe Bob Applewhite Ray Artigue Tony Ashton Roland Baird Jr. Chris Baker Harley Barnes Mike Basham David Beckham Ed Beeh Lou Benedict Kim Bernard Kemp Biddulph Keith Bierman Bill Bohnert MD Brian Booker Herb Bool Bill Borders III Jack Braddock John Bridger Gil Brito MD Bill Brough Tim Brown Tom Brown Jr.

136 | WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021

Scott Brubaker Paul Bruns Bob Bukovec Scott Burns Charlie Byxbee Kent Caldwell-Meeks Martin Calfee III Danny Calihan Kevin Calihan Peter Calihan Phil Calihan Jr. Bryon Carney Mike Carter Joe Cattaneo Harry Cavanagh Jr., MD Mike Cavanagh Gregg Cebulski Pete Charleston Todd Chester Russ Chick MD Andy Chuka Jr. Alex Clark Chad Clark Jr. Cale Clayton Del Cochran Lee Cohn Jerry Colangelo Herschel Collins Jr. Jeff Cook

Skip Corley Martin Cornelson Chance Cozby Chuck Creasman MD John Creighton Sean Cunningham Tom Cunningham Deg Davies Ralph Diamond Tom Donahue Mike Donley Rich Dozer George Druliner Doug Ducey Luke Dye Bruce Dyer Keith Earnest Phil Edlund Mike Embry Jack Evans Bob Fannin John Felix Randy Fitzpatrick Les Fletcher II Pat Flood Dan Fox Sam Fox Brian Frakes Tim Frakes

Brad Frazier Jim Frazier Rob Fredrickson Jeff Fujimoto Warner Gabel Mike Gallagher Joe Garagiola Jr. John Garigen Mike Geddes Greg Geis Bert Getz Dave Gilbertson Bob Goldwater Jr. Don Goldwater Bob Gosnell Ed Grant III Tim Grant Brent Gulbas Mike Haenel Derrick Hall David Harbour Kenny Harris Rob Harris Tom Harris Jim Harrison Jr. Bruce Hart Mike Hassett Ben Heglie Dave Heiple

Scott Henderson Mark Hester Gary Hickel Tom Higginbotham Dan Hill Terry Hoeschler Rick Hollenbeck Jock Holliman III Tom Hornaday Jim Hoselton Greg Hoyt Bob Hubbard III Len Huck Tom Hudak MD Jon Hulburd Jim Hunter George Iliff Guy Inzalaco Neil Irwin Scott Jackson Chris Janson Charley Johnson Tim Jones Steve Jordan John Julian John Katsenes Mike Kennedy Tom King Tim Kloenne

Thunderbirds and Lists.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:18 PM Page 137

life continued Phil Knall DDS Kris Kober Kevin Kopp Doug Kruidenier Pete Kuehner Wayne Kuhl MD Everett Kyle Pete Ladigo Bill Lavidge Tom Lawless Spike Lawrence Rick Lee George Leonard Herman Lewkowitz Jerry Lewkowitz Mark Linsalata Tim Louis Jeff Lowe Dan Madison Mac Magruder Jr. Dan Mahoney Steve Mardian Bill Margolf Andy Markham III Jim Marsh Greg Mast Steve Matteucci Bob Matthews John Maus Cullen Maxey Tom Mazer Robbie McGarey Pat McGinley Danny McKone

Kelly McKone Mike McQuaid Byrl Meeks Steve Mehagian Dillan Micus John Miller Jr. John Mistler Ernie Modzelewski Moffy Moffatt Bill Moore Ed Moran III Bill Murney Jim Murphy Bud Neal Phil Neri Tom Niccoli MJ Nodilo Pat O'Connor Jim O'Malley Jr. Larry O'Malley Jim Orders Mike Osborn Payne Palmer III Brett Parker Doug Parker Shaun Parson MD John Perkinson Wally Perry Jay Phillips Jr. Mike Piazza Brett Polachek Mike Polachek Phil Polich John Propstra

honorary thunderbirds Beman, Deane * Briley, Charles * Bryan, Jimmy * Campbell, Glen * Chauncey, Tom * Chirkinian, Frank * Chisolm, Scotty * Crosby, Bing * Dean, Dizzy * Drinkwater, Herb

* Ford, Ernie * Garagiola, Sr., Joe * Haas, Lew * Hance, Margie * Harris, Phil * Hogan, Ben * Hope, Bob Irwin, Sam * Kennedy, Edgar * Kush, Frank

Michael Pylman Brett Ransom Jack Rasor David Rauch Mike Reardon Bill Reilly Jr. Mike Reina Dave Renke Paul Rhodes Warren Ridge Jeff Riley Jim Riley Jerry Roberts Clark Rorbach Harry Rosenzweig Jr. Jason Rowley Pete Scardello Jr. Jason Schechterle Kevin Schillig Jay Schneider Tim Sexson John Shannon Mike Sheedy Dave Slaughter John Smeck III Mike Smith Jim Spellman Larry Spitalny MD Chris Stamets Russ Stamm Larry Stewart Rox Stewart Brian Stoll Wade Stooks

Greg Strunk Jay Stuckey Jr. Jim Suft Carlos Sugich Terry Thomas Tracy Thomas Shane Thompson Mike Tiffany Todd Todd Chip Tolleson III Chris Ulrich Jim Valenzuela Ted Vallone II Dick Van Arsdale Tom Van Arsdale Ken Vegors C.W. Waddoups Jr. KJ Wagner II Rob Ward Randy Warner Mike Warren DDS Jeff Wasson Craig Weems James Wentworth Jim Wentworth Steve Whisler Jim Whitehead Steve Whitehead Mike Wilmink MD Larry Wilson Jim Wolfinger Dana Woudenberg Darren Wright

* DECEASED * Low, Willie * McQuaid, R. Michael Mickelson, Phil Miller, Johnny Nantz, Jim Nicklaus, Jack O'Connor, Sandra Day * Palmer, Arnold * Pride, Charlie Quayle, Dan

* Rolls, Dick * Solheim, Karsten * Stoneham, Horace * Teets, John Tryhus, Gregg * Vanderhoff, C.R. "Van" * Venturi, Ken * Webb, Del E.

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 137

Thunderbirds and Lists.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:18 PM Page 138

BIRDIES MEAN BUCKS

To Make a Pledge visit BirdiesForCharityAZ.com

You can be a hero in the eyes of your favorite charity with the Birdies For Charity program created by The Thunderbirds for the 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open. Simply pledge 1 penny or more for every birdie made by the PGA TOUR pros at the 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open and every cent collected will go directly to your favorite charity. Birdies do mean bucks and lots of smiles for charities.

Special Thanks to our Charities: #LovePup Foundation A New Day Vocational Program A Stepping Stone Foundation Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center About Care Academy Drum & Bugle Corps Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank Aid to Adoption of Special Kids Alice Cooper’s Solid Rock Teen Centers ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Alzheimer’s Association Amanda Hope Rainbow Angels American Heart Association Anthony Bates Foundation Arizona Broadway Theatre Arizona Cancer Foundation for Children Arizona Center for Youth Resources Arizona Council on Economic Education Arizona Disabled Sports Arizona Historical Society Arizona Osteopathic Charities Arizona Outdoor Adventures Arizona Rangers Arizona’s Children Association Assistance League of East Valley Assistance League of Phoenix Banner Health Foundation Barrow Neurological Foundation Benevilla Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley Boys Hope Girls Hope of Arizona Boys to Men of Greater Phoenix Brighter Way Institute Care Fund CASS Homeless Shelter Central Arizona Dental Society Foundation Childhelp Creighton Community Foundation Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation Desert Sounds Performing Arts Desert Stages Theatre Desert Voices Dysart Community Center East Valley Jewish Community Center Esperanca Expect More Arizona Eye Care 4 Kids First Tee of Phoenix Foster Arizona Foundation for Senior Living Friends of Public Radio Arizona Friends of the Scottsdale Public Library Genesis City (Genesis Academy) Gesher Disability Resources Grand Canyon Institute Habitat For Humanity Central Arizona Health World Education Helping Hands For Freedom Herberger Theater Center Homeless Youth Connection Homeward Bound Honor House HonorHealth Foundation Hope Community Services Hope Women’s Center Horses Help Foundation Hospice DreamCatcher Foundation Human Services Campus, Inc. Hunkapi Programs ICM Food and Clothing Bank Impact One Breast Cancer Foundation JohnJay and Rich LoveUp Foundation Junior League of Phoenix Foundation

Justa Center Keogh Health Connection Kids at Hope Kids in Focus Live and Learn Program Make an Investment in Love and Kindness MASK (Mothers Awareness on School-age Kids) Miracle League of Arizona Mother’s Grace National Advocacy & Training Network Navigator Supporters Neighbors Who Care Neurologic Music Therapy Services of Arizona New Pathways for Youth Nick and Kelly Children’s Heart Fund Nobody’s Perfect Paz de Cristo Community Center Phoenix Cancer Support Network Phoenix Children’s Hospital Foundation Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary Phoenix Public Library Foundation Phoenix Rescue Mission Planned Giving Round Table of Arizona Project C.U.R.E. Rehoboth Community Development Corporation ResilientMe Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central and Northern Arizona Ryan House Saving Amy, Inc. Scott Foundation Scottsdale Museum of the West Sharing Down Syndrome Arizona Shoebox Ministry Smiles and Beyond Soldier’s Best Friend Soroptimist International of the San Tans Sounds of Autism Southwest Human Development Southwest Kids Cancer Foundation Special Olympics Arizona St. Mary’s Food Bank Stand for Children Arizona Starbright Foundation Inc. Sun Health Foundation Tanner Community Development Corporation Tempe Community Action Agency The Arizona Pet Project The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society The Phoenix Symphony Thunderbirds Charities Trellis United Food Bank United Service Organizations (USO Arizona) US VETS Inc Valley of the Sun United Way Valley of the Sun YMCA VALLEYLIFE Veterans Furniture Center Voices for CASA Children Waste Not Inc Year Up, Inc. Young Life Capernaum

Thunderbirds and Lists.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:18 PM Page 139

deceased Thunderbirds Robert Abbott Frank Achauer Dave Alderman Theodore Allen Jr. Vic Armstrong Hazen S. Arnold Jr. Wilbur Asbury John C. Baldwin Jr. Ken Barton Randy Barton Bill R. Bass Robert L. Bayless III Bill Beardsley William G. Bennett Leon F. Bentley Jim Berridge Carl Bimson Earl L. Bimson Sr. Bill Boutell Sr. William T. Boutell Jr. Ed H. Bringhurst Ben F. Brooks II Bill Brophy Edwards Brown Gene Buehler Arthur Burgher F. Britton Burns Sr. Ben A. Butler Stephen F. Butterfield Patrick D. Calihan Phil Calihan Sr. Roger Carhart C.A. Carson III Edward M. Carson Charles Case Paul H. Case MD Ralph Cash Tom Cavanagh Whitey Chambers Bob Charles Donald P. Charles Owen F. Childress Bill Clements Thomas G. Coffin John Cohill

Jim Coles Norman Conkle Walter Craig Robert Creighton Leighton Cress Michael J. Curley William R. Cutter Bob Davenport Phil Davidson Don Dedera J.E. Deger Dave Dennerline Angus DePinto Charles E. DeWall Walt Ditzen Clarence Edlund Karl Eller John C. Entz Chuck Erickson Robert N. Ewing Ronald A. Ewing Frederic Fahlen Jr. Paul Fannin William G. Farrow Robert D. Fisher Hohen Foster Charles Frank Herb Franklin Warner Gabel Jr. E. Paul Ganz William T. Garland John E. Gaskin Jimmy Geare Jr. Brian A. Goldsworthy Barry M. Goldwater Robert W. Goldwater Sr. Robert E. Gosnell Milton H. Graham William J. Graham Robert Greening Phil Hack Roger S. Hagel John Haldiman Dick Hance Jack Harris

Patrick J. Harris Dick Heath Mark B. Heglie Leslie Heitel Laurens Henderson Lynn Hester Grant Hoel E.N. Holgate Stewart Hood Alan Houle Lincoln B. Howe Norman S. Hull Joe Hunt Raymond M. Hunter C. R. Igoe J. Rukin Jelks Lewis "Boy" Johnston Weldon M. Jones Joe Kealy Russ Keeton Frank Kelly Wally C. Kelly Peter Kiewit Jr. Samuel F. Kitchell Richard G. Kleindienst John C. Koppen Ray Korte Howard E. Kraft Dutch Kunde Jack Laney LeRoy Lanuti Daniel P. Lawless John M. Lewis Herb Lindner J. Daryl Lippincott Gary R. Long Herbert J. Louis MD John J. Low Walter Lucking Edwin C. Lynch Gray Madison Sr. L.D. Maloney Gordon Marshall James R. Marshall John Mason

Allen Matthews John McAtee Gerald W. McGrath Ken McHale John McKone Edward W. McLoone MD Fred J. McWenie Arthur S. Mehagian Joe Melczer Jr. Lou Melczer Ben Miller J.E. "Brick" Miller William E. Miller A. Lee Moore James A. Murphy John F. Murphy Robert B. Nairn Daniel F. Norton Brian J. O'Connor Edward V. O'Malley Payne Palmer Jr. William J. Paul Ed Peterson Fred Porter Jr. Joseph H. Porter III David A. Prechel James C. Quayle John Quebedeaux John Quinn Joe Ralston Robert M. Reade Marvin Redburn Jr. Jack Redmond Les Rhuart Gene E. Rice Thomas W. Richardson Fred Riggins J.A. "Ted" Riggins Jr. A.B. Robbs Jr. Cavett Robert Harry Robertson Clark Rorbach Sr. Allen L. Rosenberg Harry Rosenzweig Sr. Thomas H. Ross MD

Milt Sanders Henry Sargent William Saufley F.W. "Zud" Schammel JayD Schlueter Frank Schwentker Don Scott Dick Searles Richard J. Seminoff Ralston L. Shannon Jerome H. Sharpe Charles B. Sherrill Ivan Shun James P. Simmons Robert G. Sloane Charles Sporleder J. Robert Stark Claude P. Stephens Robert S. Stephens Craig Stevenson Alan Stewart Ernie Suggs Walter Switzer Roy Tait Jack Tinker Andy Tomlinson Edward Tovrea Dell Trailor Royal W. Treadway George Trehearne Douglas S. Turner Richard J. Vanderhoff Peter VanVoorhis John M. Vivian MD Nick J. Volcheff Frank E. White D. Milton Whitley John R. Williams Paul Wilmore Phillip D. Wilson Dave Wynne Douglas J. Yonko Ed Ziegler

WM PHOENIX OPEN 2021 | 139

Thunderbirds and Lists.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:18 PM Page 140

RESPECT THE PL AYERS RESPECT THE GAME RESPECT EACH OTHER

RESPECT T H E P E O P L E â€™S O P E N

Thunderbirds and Lists.qxp_. 1/21/21 2:18 PM Page 141

Waste Management Phoenix Open 2021 Tournament Guide

The WM Phoenix Open PGA TOUR event is the largest professional golf tournament in the world. Held each year at TPC Scottsdale, its mission i...

Waste Management Phoenix Open 2021 Tournament Guide

Published on Jan 25, 2021

The WM Phoenix Open PGA TOUR event is the largest professional golf tournament in the world. Held each year at TPC Scottsdale, its mission i...

wmphoenixopen

Go explore