Phoenix Open set for ‘complete change’ after chaos

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is set for a complete overhaul after unsavoury scenes marred Nick Taylor’s win on Sunday.

In the wake of a series of incidents at TPC Scottsdale, the event’s leadership has vowed to ‘fix’ the event, as players and fans clashed over the weekend.

Billy Horschel and Zach Johnson were both spotted in altercations with rowdy spectators, after an alcohol ban was imposed on Saturday.

And now the executive director of the Thunderbirds, the civic organisation that hosts the event, has responded to players’ concerns.

Speaking to the Golf Channel, Chance Cozby admitted there will be a “complete operational change” to the tournament from 2025.

“We’re very proud of what we’ve built,” Cozby said.

“I think, we’ve been tournament of the year on the PGA Tour five of the last seven years.

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“But we don’t like what happened on Saturday. The players don’t like what happened on Saturday. Our fans don’t like what happened on Saturday, and, so, nothing is off the table.”

Johnson was most aggrieved by the chaos outside of the ropes, as he emotionally claimed he was “done with everything” after the event.

The 47-year-old, who said he has “no idea” whether he will return, insisted: “I think the Thunderbirds probably need to do something about it. I’m assuming they’re ashamed.”

Cozby admitted his leadership team spent five or six hours on Saturday, brainstorming possible changes to the event which will be introduced starting next year.

“We are going to make changes,” he said. “There’s no time off, we have 365 days to fix this.”

The initial plan is to limit the sale of general admission tickets for the tournament, which sold out on Friday and Saturday after caps were put on both days.

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Meanwhile, security units will be bolstered after they were called into action several times, including when one fan performed a ‘sand angel’ in the bunker.

“Nothing is off the table,” Cozby said.

“We are going to look at our general ticket exposure and how many are out in the marketplace, we are going to look at our complete security plan and how we operate.

“Saturday at the WM Phoenix Open in 2024 is going to end up being a turning point for our tournament and our organisation to make our event better.

“We learned so much and we know that we have to make improvements. We owe it our fans, we owe it to the PGA Tour players that come and support this event, we are not going to let this happen again.”

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.