Don’t let a few bad apples take away from WM Phoenix Open

Every village comes with idiots. The WM Phoenix Open is no exception.

The 2026 tournament was just about in the books, neat and tidy and well-behaved, featuring one of the tamest scenes ever witnessed on a Sunday at the 16th hole. And with Hideki Matsuyama about to putt for the tournament championship, while a giant gallery held its breath in anticipation, an idiot screamed:

“Get in the hole!”

The television announcer groaned, like he should. “Get in the hole” is one of the cringiest things a fan can yell at a sporting event. The dimmest agitators like to say it when a golfer tees off on an expansive par-5, with zero chance of the ball reaching the hole.

But to scream those words with a tournament hanging in the balance — with a national television audience tuning in before the Super Bowl — leaves a mark on all of us.

Matsuyama backed off the putt, recalibrated and misfired. He would also stop mid-swing during the ensuing playoff, during more commotion on the same hole, when a course employee reportedly dropped a folding chair. Matsuyama drove ball into the water and lost the tournament. It was an inglorious end to a glorious week at TPC Scottsdale.

Ever since that weather-spawned debacle in 2024, the Thunderbirds have done everything in their power to turn the volume down. To grow the game by shrinking their own tournament. By limiting supply and raising prices on coveted general admission tickets for Friday and Saturday. By removing GA seating areas that once lurked near the No. 16 tee box, providing another level of protective shield for the golfers. By building players an elevated walkway to the putting green. In countless ways, big and small.

Meanwhile, they spare no expense on police presence and security measures. And they were quick to bust, boot and ban a controversial YouTuber (Jack Doherty) who paid a random fan $100 to yell during the backswing of golfer Mackenzie Huges. Just for the content.

Sadly, there are people who flock to our golf tournament from other states looking to go viral. And there are purists and elitists who scoff our way when something goes awry. But what happened Sunday was the singular act of a very ignorant spectator, and nothing more.

For proof: Matsuyama was very gracious in defeat, sportsman enough not to blame others, not when he was trying to give away the tournament all throughout Sunday’s round. And you’ll hear very little adjacent unhappiness from any of the PGA Tour members who competed in 2026, most of whom are grateful and respectful for all the recent changes at the WM Phoenix Open. For all the hard work that’s been done along the way.

Reach Bickley at dbickley@arizonasports.com. Listen to Bickley & Marotta mornings from 6–10 a.m. on Arizona Sports.

Related

Chris Gotterup beats Hideki Matsuyama on playoff hole to win WM Phoenix Open16th hole upgrades provide higher-end experience at WM Phoenix OpenAs PGA Tour viewership rebounds, pace of play is an issue to tackleLarry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction was the perfect final chapterCarson Beck’s debut reignited intrigue surrounding Arizona CardinalsLarry Fitzgerald’s bond with Kurt Warner helped craft legendary Cardinals career