'We are not gonna let this happen again': Changes coming to WM Phoenix Open

By Kirsten Dorman
Published: Tuesday, February 13, 2024 - 4:03pm
Updated: Wednesday, February 14, 2024 - 9:09am

People in rain gear walk around
Anna De La Cruz/Cronkite News
Phoenix Open fans battle the elements Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.

The WM Phoenix Open is usually a popular event, but this year’s tournament saw organizers closing the gates and stopping alcohol sales as a crowd of over 200,000 fans became increasingly rowdy. There were also dozens of arrests made on the muddy course over the weekend.

Chance Cozby, the Thunderbirds’ executive director, is responsible for managing the open. Nothing is off the table, he told the Golf Channel, when it comes to making changes.

“We know that we have to make improvements,” he said. “We owe it to our fans. We owe it to the PGA tour players that come and support this event. And we are not gonna let this happen again.”

Cozby said they’ll start by looking at how many general admission tickets are made available to the public, as well as the tournament’s security plan.

Golfer swings
Ethan Briggs/Cronkite News
A golfer at the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale in 2024.

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