Course Overview
The WM Phoenix Open is the most attended professional golf tournament in the world, routinely drawing over 700,000 spectators and earning the nickname “The People’s Open.” The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale was designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish and plays to 7,261 yards at par 71, set against the McDowell Mountains at approximately 1,530 feet elevation. The course features three par 5s, four par 3s, and 11 par 4s with large greens averaging around 7,000 square feet.
The famous par-3 16th hole is transformed into a fully enclosed coliseum by temporary grandstands during tournament week, capable of holding over 20,000 fans — the only such hole on the PGA Tour. The atmosphere there is unlike anything else in professional golf.
What to Look For
Winning totals are frequently around 20 under par or better. Players who excel at strokes gained off the tee and approach-the-green tend to thrive, as does strong putting on the large Bermuda surfaces. The energy of the crowd on the 16th is a factor unto itself. Past champions include Chris Gotterup, Nick Taylor, Scottie Scheffler, Brooks Koepka, and Webb Simpson.