LAGC Takes on the WM Phoenix Open

News

February 04, 2026

TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course

In 1986, the previous sponsors of the Phoenix Open (Phoenix Thunderbirds) wanted to grow the event, but their space was limited at the Phoenix Country Club. Inspired by TPC Sawgass, they wanted to build a stadium perfect for the spectators.

Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish designed TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course in 1986 to do just that. What started as an attempt to simply grow the Phoenix Open has turned into a bucket list event on Tour.

We’ve heard the term “stadium course” a few times now — why? Stadium courses are specifically designed to host a large number of people. The layout has elevated viewing areas, wide corridors between holes, and strategic hole placement where several holes finish in a designated area.

All in all, these courses are built for the people.

This course sits in the Sonoran Desert and plays at 7,261 yards from the championship tees. You can score low, but with most desert golf, there are plenty of punishing areas. Weiskopf and Morrish built natural amphitheaters into the design, particularly around the closing holes, allowing massive crowds to gather and watch the action.

So yes, they designed the course with the spectator in mind, but one hole morphed into something neither designer could have predicted.

The 16th Hole: The Coliseum

The par-3 16th transforms into "The Coliseum" during the tournament, giving fans one of the most exciting settings in professional sports. Around 20,000 fans pack into stadium seating surrounding the entire hole, tee to green. The triple decker stadium is a spectacle. The hole itself shows 163 yards on paper, but they’ll move the guys up on Saturday. Why?

To give the people what they want.

In the history of the Phoenix Open and its time at TPC Scottsdale, the 16th hole has seen 12 in-tournament aces. The most recent ace came in the second round of the 2025 WM Phoenix Open when Emiliano Grillo jarred one from 163 yards. The ball never touched the ground. Pure slam dunk, and the crowd lost their minds.

There are no neutral shots on 16. You hit one close to the pin, you’ll hear the roar. If you find yourself outside of a 30 foot putt, you may even hear some boos. Miss the green entirely? Buckle up. This crowd will let you hear it.

Sahith Theegala Storylines

Theegala is riding serious momentum into Scottsdale. After a T-7 at the Farmers Insurance Open, he looks locked in. This will be Theegala's fifth appearance at the WM Phoenix Open, and he’s looking to climb beyond his already impressive #12 ranking in the FedExCup standings.

He’s had two top-5 finishes here, and with the way he's been playing early in 2026, Theegala could make serious noise this week.

Collin Morikawa Storylines

Look for Morikawa to make the cut this weekend and play his way into contention. He continues to be an accurate driver and incredible ball striker, and a strong performance at the WM could set the tone for the rest of his 2026 campaign.

Tony Finau Storylines

Finau joins LAGC on Monday when they face off against The Bay Golf Club. Finau has made a splash both with his play and with his style. His partnership with Jordan Brand proves he’s a man of taste and a man of culture — which bodes well when the crowd is either for you or against you.

Finau finished T-11 at the Farmers Insurance Open, and he’ll be a fan favorite on hole 16.

What to Watch

This is one of the strongest fields on Tour. Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka (his second start since returning to the PGA TOUR), and Jordan Spieth all headline the week alongside our guys Theegala, Morikawa, and Finau.

LAGC is out in the desert this week, prepared for the noise.

The People’s Open is back — tune in Thursday through Sunday across ESPN+, Golf Channel, CBS, and more.