The Waste Management Phoenix Open just hits differently. It’s not your typical golf tournament.
You won’t watch as the crowd silence itself. You’ll see more shenanigans than your average event on the greens.
But how would you define it?
Well, Rickie Fowler did just that perfectly.
“The Waste Management Open is the Coachella for guys in their 30s,” Fowler said Friday ahead of his round.
“The Waste Management Open is the Coachella for guys in their 30s.” – Rickie Fowler
Do you guys agree with him? pic.twitter.com/ccvG3h1H2d
— Tour Golf (@PGATUOR) February 9, 2024
And speaking of performance on the greens … When it was Fowler’s turn on #16, he put on a show. Literally.
He encouraged fans in attendance to get louder. That they did.
Rickie channeling his inner Happy Gilmore 💯 pic.twitter.com/1uL1okTUu9
— Tour Golf (@PGATUOR) February 9, 2024
It was a long-awaited start as there were rain delays ahead of the first round on Thursday, but it was worth the wait. Even if there were some people who perhaps enjoyed the WMO a little too much.
As if there is such thing.
Gave everything he had 👏
— Tour Golf (@PGATUOR) February 9, 2024
Joel Dahmen, who has had his fair share of fun moments at the WMO, made some fan’s days by throwing shirts to the crowd complete with cash and a hand-written note.
A man of the people 👑
@Joel_Dahmen gave out a special gift for fans @WMPhoenixOpen. pic.twitter.com/mL8UMZzDv4— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 9, 2024
This was just two years after Dahmen, and Harry Higgs, went shirtless at the tournament at the party atmosphere the 16th hole brings.
Shirtless @HarryHiggs1991.
That's the tweet. pic.twitter.com/rozVsGD6EO
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 13, 2022
Yes, the WMO is not for the faint of heart, and definitely has a frat house vibe to it.
This was the crowd upon arrival:
Good morning from #thepeoplesopen! Nothing quite like the Race to 16. pic.twitter.com/oj6lspsf8j
— WM Phoenix Open (@WMPhoenixOpen) February 9, 2024
So it would appear Fowler is pretty spot on.
