The best moments at the WM Phoenix Open's par-3 16th through the years

On it’s own, the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale wouldn’t rank among the best par 3s in tournament golf. It probably wouldn’t garner mention on any other “best of” lists either. Let’s be honest, for most of today’s tour pros, it’s a smooth 8- or 9-iron (for the big hitters, a pitching wedge) to a huge green with little trouble surrounding it. “Forgettable” might be a fair term to describe it.

But on WM Phoenix Open week, the 16th becomes a pressure cooker. What would be a carefree short iron with no one around becomes one of the most tense tee shots players face all year, with thousands of fans booing the slightest mistakes, cheering the closest darts and hurling their beer to the heavens in the event of an hole-in-one. It’s the closest thing golf has to an SEC football game.

The electric, stadium-style setting—the hole has been dubbed “The Coliseum” by locals—has provided countless memories over the years, from aces to beer showers to funny moments to heartwarming memories, and much more. Even though lost some of it sheen after a disastrous (and drunken) 2024 edition, it promises to be just as racuous than ever in 2026. Surely, we’ll be adding a few more memorable moments to the list by the end of the week, but for now, here are some of our favorites through the years.

RELATED: What other golf holes warrant the TPC Scottsdale “stadium” experience?

Harold Varner III dons Cam Newton jersey, dabs on everyone in 2016

First, HV3 made a BOMB of a birdie putt in the first round, then busted out the dab:

The following day, after sailing the green, Varner responded to the boos by donning a Cam Newton Carolina Panthers jersey. Varner is a massive Panthers fan, and his team was playing in Super Bowl 50 two days later against the Denver Broncos. Unfortunately, he didn’t keep the jersey on for the impressive par save:

If you want to feel old, this all happened A DECADE AGO. Newton is now a professional hat wearer, the only person still dabbing is your grandma and Varner now plays for some team called Smash.

• • •

Phil Mickelson throws football to fans in 2014

Sadly, there is no video of Mickelson slinging the pill into the stands back in 2014, just these hilarious photos. It’s always so strange to see such a legendary lefty like Phil do something else righty:

Waste Management Phoenix Open – Round 3

Sam Greenwood

Phil has slimmed down considerably sinced, but he was always an #athlete.

Sam Greenwood

• • •

Padraig Harrington kicks footballs to fans in 2013

Never kicked an American football in his life before? After watching that end-over-end boot, followed by a coffin corner punt, I find that hard to believe. Perhaps Paddy played Gaelic football in a past life.

• • •

Anthony Kim stiffing one to tap-in range in 2010

Honestly, this happens at the 16th countless times throughout each WM Phoenix Open, but AK highlights hit different in 2026. Like, really, REALLY different. Sadly, we may never get see such a sight again. For over a decade, that was because Kim had vanished off the face of the earth. Now he’s back, but plying his trade on LIV Golf. Still, despite all that, we’ll always have Paris Phoenix.

• • •

The Caddie races

One of the many unique aspects of the par-3 16th at TPC Scottsdale were the caddie races, none as incredible as this one from 2013:

Incredible scenes. And then there was this one, also from 2013, between the brothers Henley:

And two more from 2013:

You’re not going to believe this, but the caddie races were banned after the 2013 WMPO, for fear of injury. Too much fun was being had. #BringBackTheCaddieRaces.

• • •

James Hahn does the “Gangnam Style” dance after a birdie in 2013

Evidently 2013 was a wild year at the WMPO. Speaking of …

• • •

Phil Mickelson’s near ace on Saturday in 2013 en route to victory

Unless you’re Anthony Kim, it’s hard to make this list of moments just by hitting it close. Everybody hits it close at 16. Phil Mickelson—a bonafide ASU legend—is the other exception. Just listen to the roar as Lefty stuck it close in 2013 with the lead on Saturday. Only one person other than Tiger can produce that sound on that hole. Of course, this shot and subsequent birdie conversion were made more special by the fact he went on to win the event for a third time, which seemed like it was inevitable after he shot a first-round 60. Unfortunately, we’re now living in a world where Lefty may never tee it up in the tournament he’s won three times again. Nothing gold can stay.

• • •

LDRICK the robot makes hole-in-one in 2016

I love that no one high fives or celebrates with the robot. Yes, I understand it’s an emotionless robot and we’re all skeptical of technology these days, but I don’t know, give it a pat on the head or something.

• • •

Francesco Molinari makes hole-in-one in 2015

This was only the ninth ace at the 16th at TPC Scottsdale, which has hosted the event since 1987. Just for some perspective, the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, widely regarded as one of the most terrifying holes in tournament golf, has yielded nine since 1986. Francesco Molinari, who was playing in his first WMPO that year, shot a 64 on Saturday and went on to finish in a tie for 22nd.

• • •

Jarrod Lyle makes hole-in-one in 2011

Lyle’s ace was the first in nearly a decade at the 16th, and it was also the first of his professional career. The incredibly memorable moment was commemorated at the 2019 WM Phoenix Open, just six months after Lyle had passed away at age 36 after a long battle with leukemia.

• • •

Tiger Woods makes hole-in-one in 1997

Can you believe it’s been 27 years since Tiger hit this famous shot? Because of how corporate the surroundings have gotten at the 16th, the crowd noise can often feel dull at times. It’ll never be as rowdy as it was in its formative years, which just so happened to coincide with an ace from a young Tiger. Beers flying everywhere, Tiger raising the roof, Omar Uresti on hand. This moment had literally everything you could possibly ask for and then some.

• • •

Sam Ryder makes a hole-in-one in 2022, fans shower him with beers. Carlos Ortiz does the same the following day

Ryder’s hole-in-one was the first since Molinari’s in 2015, which was certainly cause for a beer parade, which as become a somewhat common occurrence at big-time outdoor sporting events. The fact it happened again the following day with Ortiz made it feel like the novelty was wearing off. Until …

• • •

Harry Higgs, Joel Dahmen go tarps off. More beers rain down from the stands

As fun as this was, it got watered down quite quickly and was getting both dangerous and detrimental to the golf course. Because of that, the beer showers went the way of the caddie races, which is to say, banned for good. The PGA Tour is taking measures going forward to stop fans from throwing their drinks onto the 16th green, but it was a great run.

• • •

Amy Bockerstette and Gary Woodland in 2019

Perhaps the best single piece of content the PGA Tour has ever produced, and one that became much more than just a viral moment. Following Gary Woodland’s terrifying brain surgery and subsequent comeback, this has taken on even greater meaning.

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