If you’ve ever tried to plan a trip to TPC Scottsdale, you know the vibe is less "polite golf gallery" and more "outdoor music festival with some grass in the middle." But there is a science to the chaos. Specifically, the tee times Phoenix Open organizers set can make or break your experience, especially if you’re trying to snag a seat at the infamous 16th hole.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is showing up at 10:00 a.m. on a Thursday and expecting to see the big names. By then, the "Coliseum" is usually at capacity, and the early starters are already heading to the back nine.
The Reality of Tee Times Phoenix Open 2026
The 2026 WM Phoenix Open is set for February 2–8. For the serious fans, the real action starts on Thursday, February 5. According to the official tournament fact sheet, the first round typically kicks off at 7:30 a.m. local time.
Wait. 7:30? Yeah. It’s early.
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Because the field usually consists of 120 players, they have to split the groups between the 1st and 10th tees. This means half the field is finished before most people have had their second coffee. If you want to see the defending champion, Thomas Detry, or fan favorites like Brooks Koepka, you have to keep a sharp eye on the pairings released the Tuesday before the event.
How the Schedule Actually Breaks Down
The week isn't just four days of tournament play. It’s a whole production.
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- Monday & Tuesday (Feb 2-3): These are practice rounds. Tee times aren't strictly "set" for the public, but pros are out there all morning. It’s actually the best time to get autographs because the stress levels are low.
- Wednesday (Feb 4): The Annexus Pro-Am. This starts around 8:30 a.m. This is where you see the celebrities and athletes—think Larry Fitzgerald or Zac Gallen—hacking it around with the pros.
- Thursday & Friday (Feb 5-6): The meat of the tournament. First groups off at 7:30 a.m. Last groups usually go out around 2:00 p.m.
- Saturday & Sunday (Feb 7-8): The weekend. Tee times shift a bit later, usually around 9:00 a.m., to accommodate the network TV window on CBS.
Why the "Release Day" Matters
You won't find the specific tee times Phoenix Open groupings weeks in advance. The PGA Tour usually drops the official pairings on Tuesday afternoon (around 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. MST) of tournament week.
Why the delay? Logistics. They have to wait for the field to be finalized, Monday qualifiers to finish, and any last-minute withdrawals to happen. In 2025, we saw Belgian star Thomas Detry dominate with a 24-under par, but he wasn't necessarily the "headliner" everyone was tracking on Tuesday morning. Things change fast.
Watching from the 16th Hole
If your goal is the 16th hole, forget the tee times. You need to be at the gates when they open (usually 7:00 a.m.). Even if the "star" groups don't reach the 16th until 11:00 a.m., the seats are gone within minutes of the gates opening. It’s basically a sprint. A very loud, green-colored sprint.
Practical Steps for Your Visit
- Download the PGA Tour App: It sounds basic, but it’s the only place with real-time updates. If there’s a frost delay (common in Scottsdale in February), the app updates faster than the local news.
- Check the Weather: Desert mornings are freezing. If it’s 40 degrees at 7:30 a.m., the Tour might push the start back 30 minutes to protect the greens.
- Monitor the Monday Qualifiers: Keep an eye on the results from the local qualifying rounds. Occasionally, a local pro or a rising star like Steven Fisk (who qualified in 2025) makes the field and gets an early morning slot that’s great for a quiet follow.
- Target the "Featured Groups": On Thursday and Friday, the Tour picks two or three groups for "Featured Group" coverage on ESPN+. These groups usually have the highest-ranked players and tee off in the mid-morning (around 10:30 a.m. MST).
Staying ahead of the schedule is really just about knowing where to look 48 hours before the first ball is in the air. Keep your Tuesday afternoon open for that pairings release, and you’ll know exactly when to set your alarm.