Party on: Phoenix Open Officials make changes to reign in some of the winds – St. Albert ”

Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP) – Phoenix Open 2024 was much like a home party where someone called the cops.

A bad time and drink cocktail led to chaos in the TPC Scottsdale a year ago, which made the tournament staff take the unprecedented step to close the gates and – by breath! – Cutting off alcohol sales.

In order to prevent repeated presentation, the organizers have implemented a series of changes for this year’s event to reign in The Revelry – well as they can with the largest bash in PGA Tour.

“This is a unique test, as you not only fight the golf course, but there can be a rather fast -paced crowd there,” said world # 1 Scotti Shoti Driver, a two -time winner at Phoenix Open. “This is something we don’t see so much all year long, but it’s really fun to come here and experience it.”

Phoenix Open has long been the strongest, most group event in golf. Up to 200,000 fans are shown next to TPC Scottsdale every day, ready to party – and maybe watch a little golf.

The biggest show on the grass is always viewed on the edge of the decor and may have crossed the debauchery line last year. Heavy rain has led to many delays and turned the non -icing regions of the course into a wet mess, as things became further leaning in a marathon on Saturday.

The tension was boiling at times, as Billy Vorchell and Zack Johnson shouted to uneducated fans. To slow the tide, the tournament staff stopped leaving fans inside the afternoon because the course crowded and they interrupted alcohol sales in certain places.

Wild ride forced the tournament to make several changes for this year’s tournament.

In addition to a stronger presence of law enforcement, a new entrance will alleviate some of the mud obstruction that happened at the main gate last year. Also, there will no longer be tickets for every day so that the employees of the tournament can track sales and prevent overcrowding. Several pedestrian paths have also been expanded in high traffic areas.

“They tightened things, but you don’t want to take away what the tournament is,” said Gary Woodland, Champion of Phoenix Open 2018. “This tournament is crazy and we want it to be some good madness.”

Nick Taylor has not only hugged the madness, but played some of his best golf through it.

The 36-year-old Canadian finished second in Schaeffler in 2023 and flourished through the tournament for stopping and launching 2024, defeated Charlie Hoffman in the second hole of the playoff.

Taylor could not support the momentum by missing the cutting in all four specialties on the way to finish 58th in the FedEx Cup ranking. He finished the 36th, representing the Canada team at the Paris Olympics and did not make the international team of presidents Cup.

Taylor reassessed his game during a short extrasease and made some minor changes for 2025.

The extra work was paid.

Taylor was cutting from 60 feet for an eagle on the closing hole in Sony, open to Nico Ehavaria’s relationship, and won his fifth career PGA Tour win with a bird of the second hole of the playoff. He finished 12th in Palm Springs and was 33 on Pebble Beach last week.

“Obviously, I have very good vibrations that have been back here in the last two years,” says Taylor, who lives in the area and often practices in TPC Scottsdale. “I played this golf course in a bunch, so my game is feeling really good. (Not only) I win, but a few weeks after, where I just play a solid golf, I feel like I wear this here and very good vibrations when I come back. “

Phoenix Open has vibrations unlike any other stop in PGA Tour. With the expected sunny weekend and some minority, he has to come back in order to be a good look.

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AP GOLF:

John Marshall, Associated Press