It happens in a flash. One second, you’ve got a guy standing over a ball in a desert stadium that looks more like a frat party than a golf course. The next? Pure, unadulterated chaos. Honestly, if you haven’t seen a Phoenix Open hole in one in person, it’s hard to describe the sheer wall of sound that hits you. It’s not just a cheer. It’s 17,000 people screaming, throwing $15 beers into the air, and turning a refined Scottish pastime into something that feels way more like a Raiders home game.
The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale—famously known as "The Coliseum"—is the only place on the PGA Tour where this specific brand of madness is allowed. Maybe even encouraged. Most of the year, golf is about "quiet please" signs and polite clapping. Not here. At the WM Phoenix Open, the 16th is a fully enclosed par-3 where the fans are basically on top of the players. When someone sticks it close, the place vibrates. When the ball actually disappears into the cup? It’s arguably the most electric moment in all of professional sports.
The day Tiger Woods broke the 16th hole
You can't talk about a Phoenix Open hole in one without talking about 1997. Before Tiger Woods showed up, the 16th was just another hole. Then came the "Stimp" heard 'round the world. Tiger was just 21. He stepped up to the tee, dressed in that baggy 90s Sunday red, and lofted a 9-iron.
The ball bounced twice and disappeared.
What followed wasn't just a celebration; it was a cultural shift for the sport. Tiger started the "raise the roof" gesture, and the fans responded by showering the tee box with beer cans. It was messy. It was loud. It was exactly what golf needed to prove it wasn't just for retirees in pleated khakis. That single moment cemented TPC Scottsdale as the "People’s Open." Since then, every single player who walks through that tunnel onto the 16th tee is chasing that same ghost. They want that roar. They want the shower of aluminum.
Why the physics of the 16th favor the spectacular
There's actually a bit of science—or at least course architecture—behind why we see these highlights so often here. The hole usually plays somewhere between 115 and 160 yards. For a PGA Tour pro, that's a wedge or a short iron. These guys are so good they can land a ball on a literal dime at that distance.
The greens at TPC Scottsdale are kept incredibly firm, but the 16th often has "bowl" sections depending on where the pin is tucked. If the grounds crew puts the pin in the bottom of a slope, every ball that lands within 10 feet has a statistical chance of funneling toward the hole. It’s designed for drama. The tour knows exactly what it’s doing. They want that social media clip. They want the 20 million views on TikTok.
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The 2022 explosion: Sam Ryder and Carlos Ortiz
For a long time after Tiger’s ace, things were actually kind of quiet. We went years without a Phoenix Open hole in one on the 16th. Then came 2022. It felt like the universe was making up for lost time.
Sam Ryder stepped up on Saturday. The crowd was already well-lubricated. He hit a smooth wedge that tracked the whole way. When it dropped, the scene was apocalyptic. We’re talking thousands of beer cans flying. The green was covered in so much trash it took the grounds crew nearly 15 minutes to clear it so the next group could play. It was beautiful and disgusting all at once.
Then, because the golf gods have a sense of humor, Carlos Ortiz did it again on Sunday. Two aces in one weekend. Ortiz actually got hit by a flying beer can while he was walking toward the green. He didn't care. He was laughing. That’s the thing about this tournament—the players expect the mayhem. If you’re a pro and you’re bothered by a little beer rain, you probably shouldn't show up to Scottsdale in February.
The players who actually hate it (and the ones who love it)
Not everyone is a fan. Some purists think the 16th is a circus that disrespects the game. You’ll occasionally see a veteran player look visibly annoyed by the boos. Oh yeah, they boo here. If you miss the green, 17,000 people will let you know you’re a "bum" in unison.
- The Fan Favorites: Guys like Joel Dahmen and Harry Higgs famously took their shirts off on the green in 2022 after making big par saves. They get the vibe.
- The Grinders: Some of the more "old school" players try to ignore the noise, but you can see the tension in their shoulders.
- The Rookies: Usually, they look like deer in headlights the first time they walk through the tunnel.
Honestly, the pressure is immense. Imagine trying to perform a delicate surgical procedure while a frat party happens three feet behind your head. That’s what hitting a tee shot on 16 feels like.
Behind the scenes: What happens after the ball drops?
The logistics of a Phoenix Open hole in one are a nightmare for the tournament staff. The moment that ball goes in, the "Beer Shower" begins. It’s a tradition that has become controversial because of the cleanup time.
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In 2023 and 2024, tournament organizers actually tried to crack down a bit, asking fans to hold onto their drinks. Good luck with that. When the adrenaline hits, people throw what’s in their hands. The WM Phoenix Open is the largest zero-waste sporting event in the world, so every single one of those thousands of cans has to be hand-sorted and recycled. The cleaning crews are the unsung heroes of every ace. They swarm the green with leaf blowers and rakes like a NASCAR pit crew.
It’s also a massive liability. The PGA Tour has had to balance the "fun" of the event with the actual safety of the players. Getting hit with a full 16-ounce aluminum bottle of light beer hurts. There’s been talk of moving to plastic cups only, or even netting, but so far, the raw energy of the 16th has won out over safety concerns.
The "Ace" List: Who else has joined the club?
While Tiger is the legend, he’s not the only one.
- Francesco Molinari (2015): The Italian stroking a perfect shot and the crowd going absolutely mental was a sight to behold.
- Jarrod Lyle (2011): A truly emotional moment for a player who was a huge fan favorite before his tragic passing.
- Robot Ace (2016): Believe it or not, a literal robot named LDRIC (an acronym for Launch Directional Robot Intelligent Circuitry) hit a hole in one on the 16th during a practice round. Even the robot got a beer shower.
How to actually witness a Phoenix Open hole in one
If you want to be there when it happens, you need a strategy. You can't just stroll up to the 16th hole at noon on a Saturday.
First, you have to get to the course at 4:00 AM. No, seriously. There is a literal race called the "Breakfast Club" where fans sprint from the gates to the 16th hole bleachers the moment they open. If you aren't in line before the sun comes up, you aren't getting a seat in the Coliseum.
Second, be prepared for a long day. You’re sitting in those bleachers for 8 to 10 hours. You’ll see every pro in the field, but the odds of seeing an ace are still slim. There have only been about 12 or 13 holes-in-one on the 16th in the tournament's history (since it moved to TPC Scottsdale in 1987). You are betting on lightning striking.
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The impact on the local economy
The Phoenix Open isn't just a golf tournament; it’s a massive economic engine for Arizona. We’re talking upwards of $400 million in impact. A single Phoenix Open hole in one generates millions of dollars in earned media for the sponsors. When Sam Ryder’s ace went viral, the "Waste Management" logo was seen by more people in 24 hours than through an entire year of traditional advertising.
It’s the reason why Scottsdale is packed every February. Hotels triple their rates. Airbnbs are booked out a year in advance. Everyone wants to be part of the "Greatest Show on Grass." Even if you don't like golf, you go for the spectacle. You go to say you were there when the beer started falling from the sky.
The controversy of the "Party Hole"
We should probably acknowledge that not everyone loves what the 16th has become. In recent years, particularly in 2024, there were complaints that the party had gone too far. The gates had to be closed early because the course reached capacity. There were reports of "over-served" fans causing trouble.
Some golf analysts, like those at Golf Digest or the No Laying Up crew, have debated whether the 16th is losing its soul. Does the search for a Phoenix Open hole in one overshadow the actual competition? Maybe. But then you see a guy like Scottie Scheffler or Sahith Theegala feed off that energy, and you realize it’s a unique pressure test. If you can handle 16 at Scottsdale, you can handle a Sunday at the Masters.
The tournament is constantly evolving. They’ve added more security, more water stations, and more oversight. But they can’t kill the vibe. If they did, it would just be another suburban golf tournament.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip
If you're planning to head to Scottsdale to catch the next legendary ace, keep these practical tips in mind:
- Download the PGA Tour App: Use the "TourCast" feature. It shows you exactly where every ball is landing in real-time. If a group of "stickers" (players known for accuracy) is approaching 16, that’s your cue to pay attention.
- Hydrate Early: The Arizona sun and the stadium atmosphere are a recipe for a massive headache. For every "celebration drink," have a bottle of water.
- Wear Comfortable Shoes: You will be walking miles from the parking lots to the 16th. Don't be the person in brand-new dress shoes.
- Watch the Wind: The 16th is notorious for swirling winds. If the flags on top of the stadium are blowing toward the tee, but the grass is moving toward the green, expect the players to struggle.
- Stay for the 17th: Everyone leaves after the 16th, but the 17th is a drivable par-4 where eagles are common. It's the best-kept secret for viewing without the 3-hour wait.
The magic of the Scottsdale ace isn't just about the ball going in. It’s about the collective release of 17,000 people who have been waiting all day for one single second of perfection. It’s the one time in golf where the fans are just as much a part of the highlight as the player.