The WM Phoenix Open organizers will take steps so that the tournament doesn’t get wasted next year. This year, the People’s Open came into the limelight for all the wrong reasons. Disruptive behavior from inebriated attendees shocked the world. Calls for stringent regulations came from both traditional golf fans and players. 

Zach Johnson, who had an altercation with a section of the fans, went on to claim that the organizers should be ashamed. Billy Horschel also echoed similar sentiments. Jordan Spieth was another one dismayed at the lack of sensibility among a section of people. Now the tournament organizers have released an official statement addressing the concerns. 

WM Phoenix Open will go through major overhauls

Thunderbirds, the organizers of the WM Phoenix Open, said in an official statement that they will make some rule changes to avoid future scenarios like this. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), the organizers wrote, “We are aware that changes need to be made and we will spend the upcoming months identifying areas where those changes are necessary.”

They emphasized that the new rules are not only for Saturday and Sunday but for the entire week at TPC Scottsdale. Typically, the WM Phoenix Open sees 500,000 attendees over the course of four days, the highest being on the moving day. 

Trending

PGA Tour Suffers a Major Setback as a Scottie Scheffler Disappointment Hits the 2024 Wells Fargo Championship

May 08, 2024 02:30 PM EDT

Despite Being Shown the Exit Door, Rickie Fowler Becomes the Bigger Person With Latest Gesture for Ex-Sponsor

May 07, 2024 04:04 PM EDT

With 10 Days Left For PGA Championship, Scottie Scheffler’s Future Thrown Into Disarray by New Report

May 06, 2024 05:16 PM EDT

‘Pretty S**t’: Tiger Woods Fails to Save Sun Day Red for Fans, Exclusive Brand Faces Brutal Reality Check

May 06, 2024 02:31 AM EDT

Nelly Korda Manages to Charm Paige Spiranac as ‘Hottest’ Met Gala Look Stuns the Golf World

May 07, 2024 04:11 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Golf stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

It isn’t clear whether the new rules will include restricting alcohol sales as well. Golf Week earlier reported that the tournament organizers will do an operational audit. Notably, last year too, the play was stopped for a few minutes after fans threw beer cans—both empty and full—on the course. 

WM Phoenix Open Is Injurious to Health; Here’s Why

Thunderbirds will issue refunds 

Thunderbirds further wrote that a refund will be given to those who were unable to enter despite having tickets. Expressing regret over the decision, Thunderbirds explained that, due to rain, large parts of the 190-acre course were left unusable. Inevitably, that resulted in overcrowding in other areas. 

To stop further problems, the organizers closed the alcohol sales and the gates as well for a few hours—a first in the tournament’s long history. Even players had to wait around before their tee time. A specific team will now look into the matter and issue refunds to the fans who were unable to enter despite having tickets.

Watch This Story: PGA Tour Suffers Another Blow as Massive Golf Club Ends Ties for a Marquee Event