Celebrities talk advice, No. 16 nerves during WM Phoenix Pro Am

SCOTTSDALE — The WM Phoenix Open is officially underway this week at TPC Scottsdale.

But while the first round of the tournament doesn’t tee off until Thursday, that doesn’t mean there wasn’t golf still being had the day prior at the Annexus Pro-Am.

Current and former athletes, actors, comedians and TV personalities were among the many littered throughout the Stadium Course on Wednesday.

For athletes like Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen, the 2022 Pro-Am marks his first.

“I’m a huge golf fan, I’ve heard about this tournament for a long time,” Thielen said ahead of his round on Wednesday. “Been out here a couple times when the Super Bowl was here and stuff like that. What a great event. Great for the game of golf, great for the growth of the game of golf. … What a great atmosphere for this venue and for this game.”

There are different ways to handle the pressure of the 16th hole at the @WMPhoenixOpen. Here are some different responses from Patrick Peterson, Adam Thielen and Josh Duhamel. #WMPO @joshduhamel @Vikings @P2 @athielen19 pic.twitter.com/l0iuRze1Ed

— 98.7 Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 9, 2022

“It’s one of my favorite things to play alongside some of these pros, see them and the way they play the game. … It really helps me understand how good these guys are and I also love picking their brain. Why are they so successful? How did they get to where they are? I always love that part of sports and hearing other stories from other sports.”

As far as the best advice he’s received?

It all boils down to staying in your lane for the competitive wide receiver.

Here is Josh Duhamel, Michael Phelps and Adam Thielen talking about the advice they've gotten from the #PGATour pros. #WMPO @joshduhamel @athielen19 @MichaelPhelps pic.twitter.com/Ykol2k2wk5

— 98.7 Arizona Sports (@AZSports) February 9, 2022

“You’re never gonna impress a Tour pro so don’t try. They see Tour pros all day every day. Sometimes as an athlete, you wanna be out there, you wanna hang with them but it’s a good point. You’re not gonna impress them, so just have fun.”

Others, like former Cardinal and current Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson and actor Josh Duhamel, are back for another round, bringing along with them veteran knowledge picked up over the years.

When it comes to expectations, especially on the rowdy No. 16, aim straight.

“You never know until you get out there,” Duhamel said. “I think they put a little heart monitor on your wrist now so they can show the whole audience how you’re handling the pressure, as if it already isn’t enough. … That’s part of the fun is trying to get over the nerves. I either want to stick one close on No. 16 or shank one into the stands.”

“I just love this tournament,” the actor added. “It just keeps seeming to grow every year. It’s more of a party, a golf tournament just happens to break out in. That’s really what I love about it. It’s the spirit, I wish golf did more stuff like this.”

Despite an opening hole slice from Peterson, the cornerback had more than enough holes to right the ship.

“I’m gonna be ready by No. 16, I promise you that,” Peterson said.

“Not at all,” he added when asked if he needed a pep talk before talking a swing on the intimidating par 3. “I’ve been there before.”

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