Field Level Media - Professional sports content solutions | FLM

The WM Phoenix Open doesn’t hold “signature event” status on the PGA Tour these days, but the event that dubs itself “The People’s Open” is more populist than exclusive anyway.

Besides, tour stars don’t need added monetary incentive to be persuaded to come to TPC Scottsdale.

Twenty-nine of the top 50 in the world rankings, including World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and fan favorite Justin Thomas, will be on hand for this week’s PGA Tour stop that begins Thursday in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Famed for its raucous crowds and the par-3 16th Stadium Hole, TPC Scottsdale is a favorite stop for many on tour thanks to its character.

“I can’t believe this is the 11th time I’ve played in the tournament. I didn’t know that was possible,” cracked Thomas, 31. “… It’s fun, the couple times being able to get myself in contention on Sunday and play in those last couple groups. The energy is very high. Yeah, it’s a place that I look forward to coming every year.”

Canada’s Nick Taylor won on the second hole of a playoff against Charley Hoffman last year. Before that, Scheffler had gone back-to-back in 2022 and 2023.

“I think it’s a unique test because not only are you battling the golf course, but there can be a pretty hectic crowd out there,” Scheffler said. “I think it’s a lot of fun. It’s something we don’t see as much throughout the year, but it’s really fun to come here and experience it.”

The 2022 victory, when he beat Patrick Cantlay in a playoff, was the first of Scheffler’s career. What a difference three years can make; Scheffler is now the undisputed best golfer in the world and owns 13 tour titles.

After he injured his hand while cooking over the holidays and missed most of January, Scheffler made his season debut at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am last week. He tied for ninth place, shooting 67 in both the first and fourth rounds to bookend his week.

“Still shaking off a little bit of the rust, but I think that’ll only improve as I continue to get out here and play,” Scheffler said. “It was definitely good to get a week under my belt last week and did some good things. Did some things I can improve on but overall was happy with the season debut.”

The field also features Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who went back-to-back at the Phoenix Open in 2016 and 2017 and kicked off the 2025 season with a victory at The Sentry. Former U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark and up-and-comers Sahith Theegala and Tom Kim of South Korea are others to watch.

The most intriguing storyline of the week may have nothing to do with beer-soaked fans or the names at the top of the leaderboard.

Florida State golfer Luke Clanton is one point away from earning full tour status via the PGA Tour University accelerated pathway. If he makes the cut at the Phoenix Open, where he’s playing on a sponsor exemption, he’d reach 20 points and would qualify for his tour card.

Clanton has already made eight cuts on tour, seven last year.

“It’s been a lot of preparation over the last couple months for this,” Clanton said. “It’s been amazing. Every single PGA Tour event you play you’ve got a lot of people watching you, and you just kind of have to stay in your zone and do what you need to do.”

–Field Level Media