LOS ANGELES, Calif. — On Saturday, Sam Ryder’s hole-in-one at TPC Scottsdale’s par-3 16th hole sparked a celebration that rained beer, cups, and who knows what else down on the green. Carlos Ortiz prompted a similar jubilation with another ace at the 16th hole twenty-four hours later.
Both aces forced a delay in play as workmen cleaned up the bottles and cups from the putting area, reigniting the debate over whether the spectacle at TPC Scottsdale should be replicated at other PGA Tour tournaments.
“It’s difficult to image beer cans being hurled on the greens on a weekly basis.” Patrick Cantlay, who lost the WM Phoenix Open in a playoff against Scottie Scheffler, remarked, “I just don’t see it happening.” “Of course, there are advantages and disadvantages. As I previously stated, it’s fantastic to get people interested about golf, and perhaps the solution is to host more fun events surrounding golf tournaments to entice people to come out and watch the game.
“It’ll be interesting to watch whether other tournaments try to replicate that approach.”
Other tournaments, such as the Honda Classic and The Players, have attempted to emulate the party atmosphere that makes TPC Scottsdale so special on Tour, but nothing comes close to the rowdy crowds who surround the 16th hole.
“You’re bringing in people who don’t care about golf, but who care about sports, and that’s what needs to grow, right?” Collin Morikawa expressed his thoughts. “When you bring in more people who have no idea what golf is like, you see people go crazy.” It doesn’t mean you have to throw beer cans every week, but it does mean you should notice the excitement. That’s exactly what you’re looking for.”
