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Things to watch for when attending the Waste Management Phoenix Open

Jan 30, 2020, 7:01 AM | Updated: 3:10 pm

Rickie Fowler plays a tee shot on the 11th hole during the final round of the Waste Management Phoe...

Rickie Fowler plays a tee shot on the 11th hole during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on February 03, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is getting underway this week, the golf tournament famous for its raucous environment and rowdy 16th hole.

Greg Ellis is a PGA professional and the co-host of the Bunker to Bunker Golf Show from 7 to 9 a.m. on Saturdays on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. Here are his tips on the basics for attending the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale:

What to watch for besides the golf

Welcome to the Waste Management Phoenix Open, the most well-attended professional golf event in the world. However, there is more to watch than just golf.

There is the people-watching. This event is known as the “Greenest Show On Grass” and people come wearing green on Saturday, but that isn’t the half of it. You will see some fashions that are unspeakable as well as unfathomable; young men in three-piece suits and young women in stiletto heals. You will see different costumes that will have your head spinning in ridiculousness. The Waste Management Open is all about having fun with friends and maybe watch a little golf in between the fun.

Best Hang Out Places at WMPO

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is known as the “Greatest Show On Grass,” and this is very true. There will be over 600,000 in attendance throughout the week and many of those attending want to know where the best places are to hang out and watch golf. More importantly, they want to make sure there are adult beverage stations nearby.

This year’s number-one spot to visit, for those who could not get one of the 6,000 general admission seats on the 16th hole, is The Ridge. This is a new general admission located along the par-3 12th hole. What makes this so special? The answer is easy: a self serve “convenience store-like” food and beverage area and the fact that you can have a view of eight holes throughout the golf course. This is the ultimate hangout. You have to check this out.

Who To Watch

No Tiger Woods, No Phil Mickelson. That’s okay; The Waste Management Phoenix Open will live on. There are “new kids on the block.” You are going to have a chance to see the “New Big Three” — Viktor Hovland, Matthew Wolff and Collin Morikawa.

Xander Schauffele, Tony Finau, Scottie Scheffler and Scott Harrington are a few more must watch players that can bomb it out there.

Probably the top two to watch this week will be Arizona State alumnus Jon Rahm and defending champion Rickie Fowler. These two are fan favorites and playing some excellent golf. Remember that while watching your favorite tour player, please be respectful.

This article was contributed to ArizonaSports.com by Greg Ellis, a PGA professional and the co-host of the Bunker to Bunker Golf Show from 7 to 9 a.m. on Saturdays on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station. The show will be broadcasting live at the Waste Management Phoenix Open this Saturday.

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