If you’re hoping to find out more about the Waste Management Phoenix Open – often referred to as the WM Phoenix Open for short – then check out Koobit’s guide to this top-class tournament, which takes you through its storied history, how the format works, and the most important info of all: how you can watch it.
- A Historical Perspective: From Humble Beginnings to Global Spotlight
- Teeing Off at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open: What to Expect
- Featured Groups and Key Matchups – 2024 WM Phoenix Open
- Golf's Elite: Profiles of Legendary Players 2024
- Every Shot, Every Moment: Comprehensive 2024 WM Phoenix Open Broadcast Schedule
- FAQs
A Historical Perspective: From Humble Beginnings to Global Spotlight
The WM Phoenix Open was first held in 1932, known at the time as the Arizona Open. It was held on and off for its first decade of existence, before becoming a permanent fixture on the PGA Tour calendar in 1944, by which time it had adopted the Phoenix Open name.
It bounced between Phoenix Country Club and Arizona Country Club as its host venues for several decades, during which time it was won by golf legends such as Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus.
In 1987, it settled on a permanent home at TPC Scottsdale, where it resides to this day. TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course features the iconic 16th hole, known affectionately as “The Coliseum” thanks to the 20,000-seater grandstand that surrounds it. Since making the move, the Phoenix Open has grown to become the most well-attended event in all of professional golf, earning it the nickname “The People’s Open.” Some editions have set new golf tournament attendance records having seen more 700,000 spectators pass through the gates over the course of the tournament week, with Saturday crowds known to exceed 200,000.
Teeing Off at the 2024 WM Phoenix Open: What to Expect
The Battle Begins: Understanding the Stroke Play Format
Like most PGA Tour events, the Waste Management Phoenix Open operates under the stroke play format and is held over the course of 4 rounds. The players tee off in a staggered order, completing 18 holes in each round. The player who has taken the lowest number of total strokes to complete all the rounds is crowned as the winner.
Should 2 or more players be tied atop the standings after the final round is complete, a playoff will be held. Golf playoffs are typically sudden death, with the players replaying specific holes until 1 of the players fails to match the other’s score.
Navigating the Cut: Surviving the First Two Rounds
The Phoenix Open begins with a field of approximately 132 players. To streamline play over the weekend, many tournaments have a 36-hole cut after the first 2 rounds which eliminates the lowest-performing players who have little chance of winning the event. After every player has completed their first 2 rounds at the Phoenix Open, the field is cut down to approximately the top 65, plus any players tied with those above the cut-off point. Players who miss the cut also typically don’t receive any prize money for the competition, so making it is vital.
The score needed to make the cut depends on how the field has performed thus far in the competition; in 2023 the cut came in at even-par, so some big names including Tommy Fleetwood (who was 1-over), Patrick Cantlay (1-over), and Collin Morikawa (3-over) missed the cut. Although you’re not guaranteed to make the cut even if you’re under par, players can maximise their chances by being under when the cut is made.
Championship Weekend: The Final Rounds Unfold
Players that make the cut progress to the weekend to contest the final 2 rounds. The 3rd round, usually held on Saturday barring any weather-related delays, is typically known as “moving day.” Those who just made the cut typically start the weekend around 10 strokes back on the leader, so a strong 3rd round can propel players into contention; likewise, those at the top of the leaderboard can tumble down if they have a poor round.
In the final round, it’s all to play for at the top of the leaderboard. Players just outside contention will likely focus on consolidating their position to finish strongly and take home more prize money, but for the leader and those within a few shots, it’s about navigating the final 18 holes with a cool head.
Featured Groups and Key Matchups – 2024 WM Phoenix Open
While in the 3rd and 4th rounds the pairings are determined by the scores – so that the leader heading into Sunday will be the last to finish his round – the groups for the opening 2 rounds are pre-determined.
The pairings for the 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open have not yet been released, but whoever he’s paired with, the key player to keep an eye on will be 2-time defending champion Scottie Scheffler. Only Phil Mickelson, Mark Calcavecchia, Gene Littler, and Arnold Palmer have won this tournament on 3 occasions, and only the latter has won it 3 times running, between 1961 and 1963, so another Scheffler victory here would make history.
Golf's Elite: Profiles of Legendary Players 2024
The field for the 2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open has not been fully finalised, but there are a number of major winners already confirmed to be gracing TPC Scottsdale with their presence for this year’s edition.
Stewart Cink, Justin Thomas, Matt Fitzpatrick, Shane Lowry, Hideki Matsuyama, Scottie Scheffler, Adam Scott, Jordan Spieth, and Gary Woodland have all combined for 12 majors and several of them – Scheffler, Matsuyama, and Woodland – have tasted glory at the Phoenix Open, too.
Although it’s unlikely he’ll make an appearance at the tournament his year – he's only been able to play a handful of times each season since returning from the car crash that almost ended his golfing career in 2021 – one legendary player who has fond memories of the Phoenix Open is Tiger Woods. His hole-in-one at the par-3 16th hole sent the crowd wild back in 1997:
Sam Ryder similarly aced The Coliseum in 2022, so here’s hoping for more moments like that in 2024.
Every Shot, Every Moment: Comprehensive 2024 WM Phoenix Open Broadcast Schedule
Nothing beats watching sport live and in-person, but if you can’t make it then it will be shown on TV. In the United States, the broadcast will be split between the Golf Channel (who will show action from all 4 tournament days) and NBC (who will show the weekend’s play):
- Thursday 8 February – 13:00-17:00 MST (Golf Channel)
- Friday 9 February – 13:00-17:00 MST (Golf Channel)
- Saturday 10 February – 11:00-13:00 MST (Golf Channel), 13:00-16:30 MST (NBC)
- Sunday 11 February – 11:00-13:00 MST (Golf Channel), 13:00-16:00 MST (NBC)
Viewers in the UK can catch the broadcast on Sky Sports:
- Thursday 8 February – from 15:30 GMT on Sky Sports Golf, from 22:45 on Sky Sports Main Event
- Friday 9 February – from 15:30 GMT on Sky Sports Golf, from 22:30 on Sky Sports Main Event
- Saturday 10 February – from 18:00 GMT on Sky Sports Golf, from 20:30 on Sky Sports Main Event
- Sunday 11 February – from 18:00 GMT on Sky Sports Golf, from 19:30 on Sky Sports Main Event
FAQs
What channel is the WM Phoenix Open on?
In the United States, the Golf Channel will broadcast live action from all 4 tournament rounds. On Saturday and Sunday, they will broadcast in the morning while NBC will show the afternoon action. In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main Event will show the action.
Which golfer claimed the title at last year's WM Phoenix Open?
Scottie Scheffler is the 2-time reigning champion after he won in 2022 and 2023. If he wins again in 2024, he’ll be the first player since Arnold Palmer in 1963 to win 3 consecutive Phoenix Open titles.
How does the cut work at the WM Phoenix Open?
The cut will be held after 36 holes and approximately half the field – around the top 65 plus ties – will progress to the weekend. Those who do not make the cut will be out of the tournament and will not get a share of the prize money.
Which players are expected to be the top contenders at the next WM Phoenix Open?
Scottie Scheffler, who is currently ranked world no. 1 and has won the previous 2 editions of this tournament at TPC Scottsdale, is firmly among the top contenders in 2024.
Although it’s not confirmed yet if he’ll appear, Rory McIlroy will also be a contender if he does. He's enjoyed a strong start to the year, finishing T2 in the Dubai Invitational before winning the Dubai Desert Classic, so he’s carrying some strong form into the competition.
How can fans purchase tickets to attend the WM Phoenix Open?
Tickets are available for purchase online or at the gates. The former is much more convenient and can help you cut down on queuing time upon arrival. You can find out Phoenix Open ticket information, prices, and much more at Koobit.
Has the WM Phoenix Open ever gone to a playoff, and if so, how often?
Having first been held almost 100 years ago, the Phoenix Open has gone to a playoff on many occasions; 20, to be precise. Most recently, it was decided via playoff in 2022 when Scheffler saw off Patrick Cantlay after the pair tied on 16-under.
