WM Phoenix Open rolls out monumental changes to avoid last year’s chaos

The WM Phoenix Open has introduced significant changes to avoid the chaotic scenes of last year. These changes include infrastructural remodeling to prevent the grassy slopes from becoming slippery in case of rain.

The 2024 WM Phoenix Open concluded with Nick Taylor securing a thrilling playoff victory over Charley Hoffman. While the event itself was exciting, the action outside also drew attention. Fans created chaotic scenes at the TPC Scottsdale which led to a record number of arrests. This resulted in harsh criticism from both traditional fans and players.

As a result, WM Phoenix Tournament Chairman Matt Mooney and his team were forced to make considerable changes this year. They partnered with the Thunderbirds to remodel several aspects, including the creation of a brand-new fan entrance on Greenway Hayden Loop by the 18th tee.

"The ability to have all the people that are coming out of 16, 17 and 18 to be able to go straight out of 18 tee and be right on Hayden is, I think, huge," Mooney said as per Golf Digest. "The area at the main entrance coming through the main entrance behind 18 green has always gotten so congested.

"Even though we know we’re going to have a little bit better syncing of our crowd numbers, I think that probably gives me the most comfort. Fans just have a lot of options."

Another important change introduced at the WM Phoenix Open is the expanded walkways, designed to enhance foot traffic flow and allow fans to move around more easily. Further, the tickets have been digitized to replace physical tickets and streamline both the scanning and purchasing process.

The tickets for the WM Phoenix Open 2025 are now made day-specific to improve crowd management. There has been an increase in ticket prices, with Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday prices rising from $50 to $75, and Friday and Saturday tickets increasing from $75 to $125.

While there are no significant changes to the alcohol policy at WM Phoenix Open, a two-drink limit per transaction has been introduced to help avoid chaotic situations. Furthermore, outside alcohol has been banned this year.

Who is playing at the WM Phoenix Open 2025? Field explored

Here's the field for the WM Phoenix Open 2025:

Byeong Hun An
Jose Luis Ballester Barrio
Daniel Berger
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Akshay Bhatia
Jacob Bridgeman
Sam Burns
Rafael Campos
Frankie Capan III
Bud Cauley
Luke Clanton
Wyndham Clark
Eric Cole
Corey Conners
Joel Dahmen
Thomas Detry
Nick Dunlap
Nico Echavarria
Austin Eckroat
Patrick Fishburn
Matt Fitzpatrick
Rickie Fowler
Ryan Fox
Brice Garnett
Doug Ghim
Lucas Glover
Will Gordon
Chris Gotterup
Max Greyserman
Ben Griffin
Lanto Griffin
Emiliano Grillo
Adam Hadwin
Harry Hall
Nick Hardy
Brian Harman
Joe Highsmith
Ryo Hisatsune
Lee Hodges
Rico Hoey
Charley Hoffman
Tom Hoge
Nicolai Højgaard
Rasmus Højgaard
Max Homa
Billy Horschel
Beau Hossler
Mark Hubbard
Mackenzie Hughes
Sungjae Im
Chan Kim
Michael Kim
Si Woo Kim
Tom Kim
Chris Kirk
Kevin Kisner
Kurt Kitayama
Patton Kizzire
Jake Knapp
Ben Kohles
Jesper Svensson
Nate Lashley
Thriston Lawrence
K.H. Lee
Min Woo Lee
David Lipsky
Luke List
Robert MacIntyre
Peter Malnati
Ben Martin
Hideki Matsuyama
Denny McCarthy
Matt McCarty
Maverick McNealy
Mac Meissner
Keith Mitchell
Taylor Montgomery
Taylor Moore
Jesse Mueller
Trey Mullinax
Henrik Norlander
Vincent Norrman
Andrew Novak
Ryan Palmer
C.T. Pan
Matthieu Pavon
Victor Perez
Chandler Phillips
J.T. Poston
Seamus Power
Andrew Putnam
Chad Ramey
Chez Reavie
Davis Riley
Patrick Rodgers
Sam Ryder
Scottie Scheffler
Adam Schenk
Matti Schmid
Greyson Sigg
Ben Silverman
Webb Simpson
David Skinns
Alex Smalley
Brandt Snedeker
J.J. Spaun
Jordan Spieth
Hayden Springer
Sam Stevens
Sepp Straka
Kevin Streelman
Adam Svensson
Nick Taylor
Sahith Theegala
Justin Thomas
Davis Thompson
Michael Thorbjornsen
Brendon Todd
Sami Valimaki
Erik van Rooyen
Kris Ventura
Camilo Villegas
Matt Wallace
Paul Waring
Vince Whaley
Gary Woodland
Cameron Young
Carson Young
Kevin Yu