After a couple of weeks playing along the California coastline, the backend of the West Coast Swing makes it turn to Arizona desert for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
This week on the PGA Tour is one of the most party-like atmospheres on the 2024 schedule with those in attendance, especially at the par-3 16th hole where grandstands going three levels high surround the 150-yard hole in the closing stretch.
Players who make good shots off the tee as well as on the green will help the crowd go into jubilant cheers. However, bad shots from the tee box or on the putting surface will lead to a flurry of boos.
But if a player makes a hole-in-one on the 16th hole like Tiger Woods in 1997, the crowd goes ecstatic with beer cans flying through the air in celebration.
Related: TPC Scottsdale’s 16th holes provides ‘different’ atmosphere on the PGA Tour
Last week, Wyndham Clark won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at 17-under par after the tournament was concluded following three rounds of play due to inclement weather canceling play on Sunday.
As a result, players only competed 54 holes in regulation. However, for Clark, he not only won but did something no one had done before during the third round on Saturday. In the 105-year history of Pebble Beach Golf Links, Clark broke the course record, shooting a 12-under 60, that was inches away – literally – from scoring the first 59 in course history.
Clark was like Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry, but on a putting green, making putts from long range like the two-time MVP’s accuracy inside Chase Center, some 90 miles away. Clark drained a 38-footer on the par-5 second and a 42-footer on the par-5 sixth to fuel an 8-under 28, which tied the lowest front nine score at Pebble Beach Golf Links since 1983.
Then on the back nine, he birdied four of his first five holes, standing at 11-under through 14. His two birdie putts on 16 and 17 came within a combined 10 inches of going in, which means he needed an eagle to break 59. However, his eagle came seven inches just short of becoming the first player to break 59 at Pebble Beach.
“Even if I had shot 59 somewhere, I don’t think it would compare to shooting a score like this at one of the most historic golf courses in the world,” Clark said Saturday after his round.
With the win, he vaulted up to No. 6 in the Official World Golf Ranking and No. 3 in the FedEx Cup standings.
TPC Scottsdale is a par-71, measuring 7,261 and full of risk and reward holes throughout the property. The par-4 17th is a drivable hole with water to the left of the green, the par-5 15th allows players the opportunity to go for the green in two with a good tee shot, but the risk involves going over the water on the second shot to get to the green.
This week will not feel quite like normal desert weather as rain is expected to impact the tournament, but not to the degree of the precipitation that impacted Pebble Beach last week. Rain will be in play the first three days with temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s before giving away to sunny skies on Sunday.
What channel is the WM Phoenix Open on?
The WM Phoenix Open will be televised between NBC and the Golf Channel.
Television schedule for the WM Phoenix Open
| Round | Date | Time (ET) | TV |
| 1 | Thursday, Feb. 8 | 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| 2 | Friday, Feb. 9 | 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. | Golf Channel |
| 3 | Saturday, Feb. 10 | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Golf Channel NBC |
| 4 | Sunday, Feb. 11 | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Golf Channel NBC |
Other coverage for the WM Phoenix Open
In addition to the WM Phoenix Open being televised on the Golf Channel and NBC, the tournament will also be broadcasted on ESPN+ and Peacock. PGA Tour Live for the marquee and featured groups can be exclusively found on ESPN+ for all four days of the tournament, in addition to the featured holes around the course.
The WM Phoenix Open will also be on the airwaves of Sirius XM for all four rounds.
Thursday, Feb. 8 (Round 1)
ESPN+: 9:15 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
Peacock: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
Sirius XM: 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
Friday, Feb. 9 (Round 2)
ESPN+: 9:15 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
Peacock: 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
Sirius XM: 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. ET
Saturday, Feb. 10 (Round 3)
ESPN+: 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
Peacock: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
Sirius XM: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
Sunday, Feb. 11 (Round 4)
ESPN+: 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
Peacock: 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET
Sirius XM: 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. ET
How much are tickets for the WM Phoenix Open?
Tickets to walk the grounds at the WM Phoenix Open begin at $50 and prices increase for elevated access, such as the Skybox 16 and E18hteen hospitality venues.
To grow the game, children 15 and under are admitted free into the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
Payout for the WM Phoenix Open 2024
The total purse for the WM Phoenix Open is $8.8 million, and the winner will receive $1.6 million. In addition, the winner will receive 500 points towards the FedEx Cup standings.
Who are some of the top golfers in the WM Phoenix Open field?
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who tied for sixth last week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, is looking to successfully complete the trifecta with his third straight WM Phoenix Open win this week. Last year, there were four players – Viktor Hovland, Sam Burns, Rory McIlroy and K.H. Lee – who were unsuccessful of winning a tournament for the third straight time. Scheffler is trying to become the first player to record a third straight win at a single tournament since Steve Stricker won the John Deere Classic from 2009-11.
In addition to Scheffler, history is also on the line as the final spots to play at Riviera for The Genesis Invitational via the Aon Swing 5 for the top five FedEx Cup points earners, not already exempt. Matthieu Pavon, who won the Farmers Insurance Open and finished third last week at Pebble Beach leads the way, followed by the Sony Open winner Grayson Murray and Christian Bezuidenhout, who finished second at The American Express.
One of those players who need to rely on the Aon Swing 5 to play in the Signature Events include two-time major winner Justin Thomas, who is 50 points away from fifth place. Thomas can still compete in The Genesis Invitational next week by being inside the top 30 of the OWGR, currently sitting at No. 19.
Clark, who one five players in the top 10 of the OWGR, is looking to win his second straight week and look for his fourth win within the last 12 months. Joining Clark among the top 10 in the OWGR, include Max Homa, Matt Fitzpatrick and Brian Harman, who take up the final three spots in the top 10, respectively.
Kevin Yu, who had a couple of strong showings at the American Express and the Farmers Insurance returns to the desert where he competed collegiately at Arizona State and currently resides about 10 minutes from TPC Scottsdale.
5 players with the best chance to win the WM Phoenix Open trophy on Sunday
Scottie Scheffler
The World No. 1 rolls into Arizona looking to capture the elusive third win, something that has not been down in 13 years since Stricker. The difference as of late for Scheffler has been his putting, which was lacking a bit last season, resulting in just two wins despite all of his top-5 and top-10 finishes as he finished 161st in strokes gained putting.
However, Scheffler was second in strokes gained putting at the 2022 WM Phoenix Open and 13th last year. As long as his putter can get hot, he can be the first favorite to win this season, opening at +500, according to FanDuel.
Justin Thomas
After a winless 2023 season without making an appearance in the FedEx Cup Playoffs for the first time in his career, Justin Thomas has come out of the gates strong to begin his 2024 campaign. He tied for third at The American Express – a desert course like TPC Scottsdale – and tied for sixth last week at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
His week at The American Weekend showed how much he wants to return to the top and last week validated that reason to inch closer and closer to being on top. He currently ranks first in strokes gained: tee to green, which is going to be vital this week, especially on the risk-reward holes.
Min Woo Lee
After recording two victories on the DP World Tour last year, he is one the biggest rookies on the PGA Tour this season. Although he did not compete at last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, it gets him ready for this week as he thrives in the big crowds, which the WM Phoenix Open will bring, having it being nicknamed, The People’s Open.
Thomas Detry
Thomas Detry is one of the longshots to watch this week, coming off a fourth-place finish last week at Pebble Beach against the game’s top players. He opened with a 9-under 63 in the first round last week to set him up for a top-five finish. He has improved since missing the cut at The American Express, that included a top 20 at the Farmers Insurance Open.
His top-5 last week helped him jump to No. 18 in the FedEx Cup standings as he looks to continue that momentum this week.
Sam Burns
Sam Burns was looking good through three rounds at The American Express until the 71st hole when he landed in the water on the island green at PGA West. Burns is also coming off placing 10th last week at Pebble Beach, finishing at 12-under, so the momentum is definitely there heading into a rowdy, but friendly atmosphere at TPC Scottsdale.
Burns, who finished 24th in the FedEx Cup standings last year, currently ranks inside the top 35 in strokes gained putting, which is going to crucial if he wants to shoot low and hoist the trophy on Sunday.
The WM Phoenix Open pairings
All times ET; (FG) is Featured Group, (MG) is Marquee Group; a is amateur
| Round 1: 1 tee | Round 2: 10 tee | Players |
| 9:20 a.m. | 2:00 p.m. | Martin Laird, David Lipsky, Carl Yuan |
| 9:31 a.m. | 2:11 p.m. | Joel Dahmen, Greyson Sigg, Carson Young |
| 9:42 a.m. | 2:22 p.m. | Luke Donald, Alex Noren, Davis Thompson |
| 9:53 a.m. | 2:33 p.m. | Akshay Bhatia, Vincent Norrman, Emiliano Grillo |
| 10:04 a.m. | 2:44 p.m. | Erik van Rooyen, Harris English, Adam Schenk |
| 10:15 a.m. | 2:55 p.m. | Matt Wallace, J.J. Spaun, Matt Kuchar |
| 10:26 a.m. | 3:06 p.m. | Lucas Glover, Nico Echavarria, Tom Hoge |
| 10:37 a.m. | 3:17 p.m. | Lee Hodges, Ryan Brehm, Adam Hadwin |
| 10:48 a.m. | 3:28 p.m. | Garrick Higgo, Ben Griffin, Dylan Wu |
| 10:59 a.m. | 3:39 p.m. | Denny McCarthy, Hayden Buckley, Austin Eckroat |
| 11:10 a.m. | 3:50 p.m. | Patton Kizzire, Kevin Chappell, Ben Kohles |
| Round 1: 10 tee | Round 2: 1 tee | Players |
| 9:20 a.m. | 2:00 p.m. | Nate Lashley, Kevin Yu, Tyson Alexander |
| 9:31 a.m. | 2:11 p.m. | Robert MacIntyre, Callum Tarren, Matti Schmid |
| 9:42 a.m. | 2:22 p.m. | Aaron Baddeley, Eric Cole, Joseph Bramlett |
| 9:53 a.m. | 2:33 p.m. | Brian Harman, Max Homa, Jordan Spieth |
| 10:04 a.m. | 2:44 p.m. | Grayson Murray, Tom Kim, Rickie Fowler |
| 10:15 a.m. | 2:55 p.m. | Matt Fitzpatrick, Sungjae Im, Shane Lowry |
| 10:26 a.m. | 3:06 p.m. | Sahith Theegala, Adam Svensson, Brendon Todd |
| 10:37 a.m. | 3:17 p.m. | Luke List, Gary Woodland, Andrew Putnam |
| 10:48 a.m. | 3:28 p.m. | C.T. Pan, Aaron Rai, Vince Whaley |
| 10:59 a.m. | 3:39 p.m. | Lanto Griffin, S.H. Kim, Ben Taylor |
| 11:10 a.m. | 3:50 p.m. | Victor Perez, Chris Gotterup, Nicolo Galletti |
| Round 1: 1 tee | Round 2: 10 tee | Players |
| 2:00 p.m. | 9:20 a.m. | Bud Cauley, Sam Ryder, Thomas Detry |
| 2:11 p.m. | 9:31 a.m. | Peter Malnati, Chesson Hadley, Zac Blair |
| 2:22 p.m. | 9:42 a.m. | Byeong Hun An, Maverick McNealy, Will Gordon |
| 2:33 p.m. | 9:53 a.m. | Wyndham Clark, Scottie Scheffler, Hideki Matsuyama |
| 2:44 p.m. | 10:04 a.m. | Justin Thomas, Adam Scott, Cameron Young |
| 2:55 p.m. | 10:15 a.m. | Sam Burns, Si Woo Kim, J.T. Poston |
| 3:06 p.m. | 10:26 a.m. | Chad Ramey, Cameron Champ, Scott Stallings |
| 3:17 p.m. | 10:37 a.m. | Taylor Moore, Billy Horschel, Zach Johnson |
| 3:28 p.m. | 10:48 a.m. | Michael Kim, Jhonattan Vegas, Matt NeSmith |
| 3:39 p.m. | 10:59 a.m. | Mark Hubbard, Robby Shelton, Ryan Fox |
| 3:50 p.m. | 11:10 a.m. | Jake Knapp, Alexander Bjork, Jim Knous |
| Round 1: 10 tee | Round 2: 1 tee | Players |
| 2:00 p.m. | 9:20 a.m. | Sam Stevens, Harry Hall, Andrew Novak |
| 2:11 p.m. | 9:31 a.m. | Tyler Duncan, Charley Hoffman, Brandon Wu |
| 2:22 p.m. | 9:42 a.m. | Keith Mitchell, Ben Martin, Min Woo Lee |
| 2:33 p.m. | 9:53 a.m. | Nick Taylor, Kurt Kitayama, Brandt Snedeker |
| 2:44 p.m. | 10:04 a.m. | Nick Hardy, Stewart Cink, J.B. Holmes |
| 2:55 p.m. | 10:15 a.m. | Corey Conners, Chez Reavie, K.H. Lee |
| 3:06 p.m. | 10:26 a.m. | Camilo Villegas, Seamus Power, Daniel Berger |
| 3:17 p.m. | 10:37 a.m. | Kevin Stadler, Beau Hossler, Taylor Montgomery |
| 3:28 p.m. | 10:48 a.m. | Ryan Moore, Doug Ghim, Justin lower |
| 3:39 p.m. | 10:59 a.m. | Troy Merritt, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Justin Suh |
| 3:50 p.m. | 11:10 a.m. | Sami Valimaki, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Jesse Mueller |