The WM Phoenix Open is renowned for its party-like atmosphere on the PGA Tour, highlighted by the legendary 16th hole completely surrounded by grandstands.
Known as “The Loudest Hole in Golf,” the 16th generates intense emotions for every shot, whether it’s a hole-in-one or a missed green. This unique pressure point has become a signature moment on the annual PGA Tour schedule.
In the tournament’s history, 12 players have aced the roughly 140-yard 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale:
- Hal Sutton, 1988, 3rd Round
- Brad Bryant, 1990, 1st Round
- David Edwards, 1990, 3rd Round
- Jay Delsing, 1991, 1st Round
- Tiger Woods, 1997, 3rd Round
- Steve Stricker, 1997, 4th Round
- Mike Sposa, 2002, 2nd Round
- Jarrod Lyle, 2011, 3rd Round
- Francesco Molinari, 2015, 3rd Round
- Sam Ryder, 2022, 3rd Round
- Carlos Ortiz, 2022, 3rd Round
- Emiliano Grillo, 2025, 2nd Round
Here are the five most memorable aces at the famous 16th.
5. Francesco Molinari (2015)
In his second season as a full-time PGA Tour member, Francesco Molinari was still establishing himself when he stepped up to the 16th tee in the third round. The Italian’s perfectly struck shot spun into the cup, previewing the greatness to come — he would go on to win the 2018 Open Championship.
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4. Jarrod Lyle (2011)
During the third round, with the pin in the front-left position, Jarrod Lyle celebrated his ace with arms raised high, marking the first hole-in-one on the 16th since Mike Sposa’s in 2002. The Australian’s celebration became an iconic moment in tournament history.
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3. Carlos Ortiz (2022)
From 178 yards out in the final round, Carlos Ortiz’s shot rolled perfectly into the cup. The celebration that followed was legendary — the skies suddenly filled with beer cans and water bottles, with the ice cubes creating an impromptu hailstorm.
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2. Sam Ryder (2022)
Just one day before Ortiz’s ace, Sam Ryder thrilled the Coliseum crowd with his own hole-in-one. The moment was captured perfectly by television cameras, with a dramatic low-to-high shot showing the ball’s flight before cutting to its descent into the cup. This marked just the third time the tournament had seen two aces in the same week.
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1. Tiger Woods (1997)
Before the grandstands reached their current three-story height, Tiger Woods created one of golf’s most memorable moments. His third-round ace sparked a celebration that included an awkward high-five, “raising the roof,” and his signature fist pump. The shot came just three months before his historic 12-shot victory at the Masters, his first major championship.