'Golf Liberation Zone' Phoenix Open "Wild Party" ... "Players Take Off Shirts, Gallery Celebrates with Beer Can Salute"

Damon and Higgs Take Off Shirts at 'Colosseum' 16th Hole, Ryder and Ortiz Hole-in-One Moments Showered with Beer Cans and Water Bottles on Course

Joel Damon and Harry Hicks are putting on a "shirtless show" at the 16th hole on the final day of the Phoenix Open. Scottsdale, USA = Getty Images / Multibitz Photo by Multibitz

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Players take off their shirts, gallery fires beer can salutes."

This is the scene of the "golf liberation zone," the PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open (total prize money $8.2 million). The final 4th round held on the 14th at Scottsdale TPC (par 71) in Arizona, USA, especially drew attention as Joel Dahmen and Harry Higgs (both from the USA) took off their shirts. Dahmen had announced on social media the day before, "If you cheer for me, I'll take off my clothes," and actually took off his top without hesitation right after making a par putt on the 16th hole (par 3).

This tournament is the only stage in the global golf world that allows drinking and loud cheering. The gallery drinks beer and makes noise, and if they don't like a shot, they even boo. The "reverse marketing" where spectators shout and roam around the course, which previously did not allow even a breath to be made when a player was setting up, has become the driving force that attracts up to 700,000 spectators. Last year, due to the impact of COVID-19, attendance was limited to 5,000 per day, but this year it was fully reopened.

During Sam Ryder's hole-in-one in the third round of the Phoenix Open, the gallery erupted with beer can celebrations. Scottsdale (USA) = Getty Images / Multibitz Photo by Multibitz

The 16th hole is the highlight. A huge three-story stand that can accommodate up to 30,000 people is installed, resembling the Roman Colosseum gladiator arena. Players naturally suffer from pressure. As soon as they step onto the teeing ground, their every move is closely captured on a giant screen while hooligan-level cheers pour out. Depending on the result of the tee shot, cheers and boos follow. This is why players pay a kind of "toll" with hats and golf balls.

Sam Ryder (USA) heated up the atmosphere by making a hole-in-one in the 3rd round. It was the first in seven years since Francesco Molinari (Italy) in 2015. The gallery threw beer cans and beverage bottles onto the course like bombs, and it took officials more than 20 minutes to clean up. He enjoyed the unique atmosphere, saying, "It feels like I became world number one." Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) made a hole-in-one for two consecutive days on the final day, finishing with a spectacular flourish.

The Phoenix Open, known as the 'Golf Liberation Zone,' is the only stage in the global golf world where drinking and loud cheering are allowed. Scottsdale, USA = Getty Images / Multibitz

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