Fans warned as popular PGA Tour event introduces ‘zero tolerance’ policy

Fans have been issued a stern warning that a new ‘zero tolerance’ policy will be introduced at one of the PGA Tour’s most popular events.

The WM Phoenix Open, at TPC Scottsdale, has clamped down on unruly behaviour after the tournament was marred by controversy in 2024.

A total of 54 arrests, 211 ejections and 653 emergency calls were triggered in Arizona last year, as a minority of fans wreaked havoc.

Two players, Zach Johnson and Billy Horschel, were even filmed in tussles with fans seen provoking the American pair from outside the ropes.

But, speaking at a formal lunch ahead of the event, tournament director Matt Mooney explained that there will be no repeat of the antics in 2025.

• Top golf coach calls for new handicap system

• Jay Monahan under fire as his massive salary leaks online

“We did have conversations with those guys, and frankly a lot of 1-on-1 conversations with many of the players individually,” Mooney said.

“It’s one of the things that concerns me the most as an avid golfer is that you have these outlier individuals who want to have their viral moment and so we’re also really making an emphasis this year again on our fan code of conduct.

“Our general admission fans will have to click on a code of conduct acknowledgment and we’re going to have a zero-tolerance policy for people that cross those procedures.

“Unfortunately, there’s a small segment of our society that wants to create these viral moments and it’s to the detriment of the event, the detriment of the other fans and most importantly the athletes themselves.”

Mooney also insisted that there will be a heavy police presence on site, ready to remove fans who ‘cross the line’.

As revealed in October, several other changes will be implemented to the Waste Management Phoenix Open ahead of its 90th edition.

The tournament entrance, admission and spectator walking areas have all been transformed, while a new entrance, located near the 18th tee box, will be added.

Meanwhile, a fully digital ticketing platform will be implemented to ensure fans buy tickets for the specific day they are attending.

• Tony Finau breaks silence on LIV rumours

• Cam Smith addresses LIV Golf transfer rumours

What won’t change is the footrace to the signature 16th hole.

Before sunrise, fans annually make a mad dash to the par-3 to try and secure a seat for the Stadium Hole.

Mooney called it “an iconic Phoenix Open moment,” and said it’s not going anywhere.

“Of all of the kind of testaments to people’s commitment to this event, I was out there at 5:30 in the morning,” he said.

“It’s 38 degrees. It’s pouring rain and we had 5 or 6,000 fans lined up, a lot of whom had been there all night and so you know we think that’s an incredible moment.”

Mooney also shut down talks that some players would remove the tournament from their schedule after the drama of 2024’s event.

He insisted that after countless conversations with players, they said they all “love this event”.

“We were honestly surprised how little they had in terms of recommendations for tweaks to the event,” Mooney added.

“They love the event, but the feedback was overwhelmingly, don’t tweak it or make corrections that change the fabric of what makes it the most unique week on the PGA Tour.

“We want to find the right tweaks but there’s a reason this has been the five-time tournament of the year in the last decade and is the biggest event on the PGA Tour and so we’re being really mindful not to change that fabric.”

Nick Taylor will defend his title at the 2025 Waste Management Phoenix Open, from February 3-9.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.