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TOP MOMENTS AT TPC SCOTTSDALE’S 16TH HOLE

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It was another unforgettable week at the Phoenix Open—one that took three extra holes to settle as Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Cantlay battled it out at the Greatest Show on Grass. It was Scheffler who came out victorious after draining a long-range birdie on the third playing of the 18th hole. This is Scheffler’s first PGA Tour win.

The surprise, and heartbreak, of the week goes to PGA Tour rookie Sahith Theegala, who entered Sunday with a one-shot lead, but failed to finish it off after bogeying 17, ultimately tying for third. After a week that was truly one for the record books, this tournament continues to get better, bigger, and seemingly more fun.

Speaking of fun, the famed 16th hole stole the show this week, with conduct the likes of which we have never seen.

Memorable Moments on 16

Wednesday, a day where celebrities and influencers gather for fun, turned into a viral moment that was nearly a fatal one, and it featured Matt James, who you may remember as the first male African-American lead on The Bachelor (season 25). James is not very good at golf, once losing 36 balls in 7 holes during a round with Bachelor host Chris Harrison, but we won’t blame this group of photographers for not being up to speed on the state of James’ game.

What we will blame them for, however, is not seeing all the red flags and getting the hell out of dodge before James took a swing. Watch as James chunks his first attempt so badly that he misses the ball entirely, and then stick around for the shank, which, of course, was a direct hit on some poor photographer.

 Joel Dahmen didn’t expect to be introduced as Harris English on 16, but he still handled it like a pro.

Miracles and mayhem—that sums up the atmosphere this week on the famed par-3 16th at TPC Scottsdale. With grandstands holding 20,000 screaming onlookers from tee to green, there was no shortage of memorable moments made over the past four days. But like all great parties, the best times were had on the weekend.

Mike Mulholland/Getty Images

The fans in Scottsdale don’t need any more reasons to celebrate, but that doesn’t mean the best players in the world weren’t in the mood to deliver something special. On Saturday morning there had been nine holes-in-one on 16 since the tournament moved to its current venue in 1987. The last time two were made in the same tournament was in 1997, when Tiger Woods and Steve Stricker made their contributions. On Saturday afternoon, Sam Ryder etched his name in the books, making an ace that elicited one of the craziest scenes in the Tour’s history.

Even Shooter McGavin, a known critic of rowdy fandom, chimed in on the incident.

Wow, what a scene. We probably won’t see another one like it for many years—just kidding. On Sunday, a mere 31 tee shots after Ryder made his single, Carlos Ortiz followed him up with an ace of his own. Another hole-in-one; another Michelob Ultra.

However, like most things in golf, Tiger Woods was the one that made it a “thing” first. Flashback to ’97 and the beer showers were in full season.

However, this is something that no one has ever done on the Tour.

Of course, this sort of fan behaviour isn’t going to be universally applauded but it did provide the basis for some introspective thinking among the game’s stakeholders: golf needs to loosen up. Does that mean every tournament needs to be as rowdy as this past one? Of course not. But for one week a year, can’t we throw rules out the window, let the fans soak up the Phoenix sun, and let golf have its time to shine in all of its glory? We can at what is rightfully called the People’s Open.

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One thought on “TOP MOMENTS AT TPC SCOTTSDALE’S 16TH HOLE”

  1. Would not have been a good result if one of the volunteers got hit by a bottle thrown from the stands, even if it was a water bottle. A half full bottle can cause serious damage.

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