The Phoenix Open has long been one of Phoenix’s best known events. The Phoenix Open started in 1932 and it’s been held at its current location (TPC Stadium) since 1987 and it’s come to be known as the biggest party in golf. Unfortunately, this year things got a little out of hand, faced unprecedented levels of disorder, leading to substantial police involvement and changes in event management protocols.
In a nutshell, the combination of highly unusual weather (cold, windy, rainy) combined with an even more rowdy crowd than usual was a recipe for disaster. Things escalated to the point where tournament officials were compelled to shut down entrances and suspend alcohol sales in an attempt to regain control. This has never happened before and this decision by management was almost as shocking as the rowdiness itself.
The extent of the bad behavior led to numerous arrests and ejections. The Scottsdale Police Department reported a significant rise in arrests, ejections, and trespassing incidents compared to previous years, with arrests tripling and ejections doubling from 2023 to 2024. This has put security at the front of concerns about the Open which is very unfortunate.
Additionally, the tournament witnessed two particularly distressing incidents that had direct physical consequences. Hideki Matsuyama’s misdirected drive struck a spectator, resulting in facial injuries, and a woman fell from the stands at the 16th hole, sustaining non-life-threatening injuries. These made it clear that the Open promoters need to do more to ensure everyone’s safety which will no doubt lead to a reevaluation of crowd management strategies.
These developments cast a shadow over the tournament, prompting a broader discussion about the balance between maintaining the Phoenix Open’s unique atmosphere and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience for everyone involved as well as the surrounding community. The incidents have spurred a commitment from organizers to make substantial changes to prevent similar occurrences in future events.
The 2024 WM Phoenix Open serves as a pivotal moment for the PGA Tour, illustrating the critical importance of effective crowd control and the need for continuous adaptation to maintain the spirit of the game while safeguarding the well-being of its participants and supporters.
Fortunately, none of our customers were affected. We were able to clear everyone out of the area quite quickly. Let’s just hope they get it together next year to avoid repeating these issues.
For more on the debacle, check out the video below.
