Thunderbirds message to PGA Tour pros: "Count on us to get this right in 2025"
Boss of The Thunderbirds says the event will make number of changes in 2025 to avoid the chaos that ensued at last week's WM Phoenix Open on the PGA Tour.
The executive director of The Thunderbirds, the philanthropic organization that puts on the WM Phoenix Open every year, has issued a defiant message to PGA Tour players and golf fans that they will put things right in 2025 following last week's shocking scenes.
The 2024 WM Phoenix Open has come under heavy criticism from the media, fans and PGA Tour players as a result of the mayhem that unfolded particularly during Saturday's play at TPC Scottsdale.
As a result of a deluge of rain at the start of the week, which is a rarity in Arizona given the state gets around six inches of rain a year, there were multiple areas at the Stadium Course that were "simply unusable".
A minority of fans on site thought better of the situation, however, as numerous videos went viral of beer-fuelled specators sliding down muddy slopes and causing general chaos while the tournament was going on.
Opinion: Has the WM Phoenix Open lost its way in 2024?
As a result of the boggy course conditions for fans on Saturday, it led to crowding in certain parts especially down the big paving area at the right side of the par-4 18th.
The Thunderbirds, which were founded in 1937, were forced to make an operational decision and that was to remove spectators off the course for safety reasons.
A decision was also made to halt alcohol sales during Saturday's play after it had emerged a person had fallen some 20 feet in the stands on the iconic par-3 16th.
Thankfully that person was okay.
There was also a fight that broke out.
Elsewhere, a number of fans were angering PGA Tour players out on the course.
Zach Johnson was criticised by a group of fans about his Ryder Cup captaincy last year, while Billy Horschel was seen unloading on a fan after he shouted out while a player was over their ball.
Johnson then gave an emotional interview with one reporter after the event, but golf social media sensation Paige Spiranac was having none of it.
Ben An also took to Twitter over the weekend to explain how the WM Phoenix Open had got "out of control" on Saturday.
Even World No.1 Scottie Scheffler admitted there was a lack of food available for the players after the third round.
But with seemingly so much bad PR during the staging of the 2024 WM Phoenix Open, with many now believing the tournament has had its day in 2024, executive director of The Thunderbirds, Chance Cozby admits they will put everything right in 2025.
The WM Phoenix Open is going nowhere in the eyes of Cozby, who has been involved in the staging of this tournament for the majority of his golf career, even before he worked at PING for 20 years.
Cozby told NBC's Golf Today:
Cozby then went further on the changes that will be made ahead of 2025, including ticket sales and full security, especially for Saturday's third round which is always the highest-attended day of the WM Phoenix Open.
Cozby continued:
Cozby also had a message for the PGA Tour players who are unsure about whether or not to come back for the 2025 WM Phoenix Open.
He said:
What did you make of the 2024 WM Phoenix Open? Has the event crossed the line now? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
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