Why are Phoenix Open crowds so rowdy? History of 'The People's Open'

The WM Phoenix Open is this week.

The biggest party on the PGA Tour will be taking place as fans visit on TPC Scottsdale to take in a rowdy weekend of golf.

With hundreds of thousands of fans expected to attend the event, let’s take a look at what makes it so special.

Why is the Phoenix Open so popular?

The WM Phoenix Open is notoriously known as the biggest party on the PGA Tour. Nearly all golf events require spectators to be demure. “Quiet please” signs go up at the tee box. The famous “golf clap” phrase comes from the reserved applause permitted after the ball comes to a stop or rolls into the cup. There are a few notable exceptions: Crowds roar to life after a hole-in-one or another incredible shot, and there’s always that guy shouting “It’s in the hole!” every time Tiger Woods follows through on a swing.

The exception is the Phoenix Open, aka “The People’s Open.” Attendance for the weekend soars into the hundreds of thousands, and the atmosphere more closely resembles that of typical sporting events. Beer vendors can be found along the pathways, and the results are a looser, fun-loving, louder crowd. Everything comes to a head at the 16th hole, where the unique seating arrangements and natural stadium setting make it the rowdiest place in golf. If you’re lucky enough to get one of the VIP boxes on the 16th, drinks are unlimited.

Phoenix Open crowd size: What is the attendance at the Phoenix Open?

The 16th green at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.

The Phoenix Open hasn’t announced attendance figures since 2018, when nearly 577,000 people showed up over the four days at TPC Scottsdale. Saturday is typically the busiest day at the Phoenix Open, and the 2018 event saw almost 217,000 fans come through the gates.

For contrast, Augusta National reportedly sees about 40,000 fans at the Masters, though those numbers aren’t official. There were reportedly 250,000 tickets sold for the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone in Italy. Capacity at the Daytona 500 is 150,000, while the Superdome can seat 85,000 for Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Phoenix Open crowd problems: What happened at the Phoenix Open 2024?

The fans who come to the Phoenix Open just to get drunk had been a growing concerns for years. An unusually rainy weekend in 2024 created muddy conditions, leading to a lot of people packing into smaller places. There were several reports of fights throughout the week, as well as people sliding through the mud, plus one shirtless fan who did sand angels at the famous 16th hole.

To combat the untenable crowd sizes, the tournament closed the gates early Saturday afternoon and also cut off food and drink sales. However, Scottsdale police said fans did get through without having their tickets scanned, reportedly overwhelming gate attendants. Safety became an issue, highlighted by a woman who fell out of the grandstands on the 16th hole, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.

The most high-profile golf incident came when Billy Horschel, a Florida Gators alum, laid into fans heckling partner Nicolo Galletti’s backswing. “Buddy, when he’s over a shot, shut the hell up, dude,” Horschel said. “He’s trying to hit a damn golf shot here. It’s our (bleeping) job.”

“I’ve read a few messages on social media like ‘you know what you signed up for’ and ‘if you can’t take the heat then don’t show up,'” Horschel said on SiriusXM a few days after the event, “but I’m like, this tournament was never about going there and being ridiculed by the fans. That was never the idea of this event.”

Zach Johnson also got into it with fans who heckled him during his backswing: “I’m just sick of it, just shut up!”

“I don’t know what the line is, but you have people falling out of the rafters, you have fights in the stands,” Johnson said to the Arizona Republic afterward. “It’s to the point where now, how do you reel it in? Because it’s taken on a life of its own. I think the Thunderbirds (tournament organizers) probably need to do something about it. I’m assuming they’re ashamed. Because at some point, somebody’s either gonna really, really get hurt or worse.”

Phoenix Open addresses fan behavior: What changed for Phoenix Open 2025?

The Thunderbirds, the group that organizes the tournament, announced in October 2024 that changes were coming to the 2025 Phoenix Open. Here’s a quick look at what changed:

A new entrance is installed near the 18th tee to improve crowd flow.
Walkways have been expanded, including doubling the width of the walkway from the 17th fairway to the 11th tee area.
Food and alcohol vendors have been repositioned “to help balance foot traffic around the course.”
Fully digital tickets for general admission.
Enhancements at two general admission venues: Taylor Morrison Fairway House at the 12th hole, and Desert Oasis BBQ and Beer Garden near the seventh hole.

When is Phoenix Open? Time, TV schedule

Thursday, February 5: 3:30-7:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)Friday, February 6: 3:30-7:30 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)Saturday, February 7: 12-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); 3-6:30 p.m. ET (CBS)Sunday, February 8: 12-3 p.m. ET (Golf Channel); 3-6 p.m. ET (CBS)

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: WM Phoenix Open crowds: The History of ‘The People’s Open’

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