Few tournaments outside the season's majors garner as much attention, enthusiasm, and passion as the Phoenix Open. While it's only just received designated status for the 2022-23 season, TPC Scottsdale has long brought elevated excitement on TOUR, largely due to its iconic hole.
The par-3 16th at the Arizona course is one of the most unique settings in golf. The sport, known for its pin-drop silence, turns into a different beast at the 16th. You can hear spectators booing players if they miss the green and cheering if they land it close. On special occasions, fans can be seen jumping up and down, high-fiving, and throwing drinks onto the green as they surround the hole.
Here are the five best moments at No. 16 over the years:
Sam Ryder, 2022
Sam Ryder wasn't the most popular name on TOUR this time last year. However, just about every golf fan is familiar with the Floridian's name these days after his moment at No. 16 in 2022. During the Phoenix Open's third round, Ryder's shot landed on the green and rolled into the cup, sparking electricity from the surrounding fans in the stands. His ace from 124 yards marked the 10th in the hole's history. Ryder finished the tournament in a tie for 23rd.
Carlos Ortiz, 2022
One ace at the iconic 16th wasn't enough for last year's Phoenix Open. A day after Ryder's hole-in-one, Carlos Ortiz scored his own with a 178-yard tee shot. Using a 9-iron, Ortiz landed his shot well short of the pin compared to some of the rest. Nonetheless, his ball rolled its way into the bottom of the cup. Once again, high-fives were exchanged as the crowd went wild. Ortiz ended the tournament in a tie for 33rd.
Tiger Woods, 1997
Tiger Woods has produced no shortage of iconic moments throughout his Hall of Fame career, and what happened during the 1997 Phoenix Open's third round is certainly up there. Woods' shot landed just short of the hole and bounced twice before plopping right into the cup. The then 21-year-old recorded a 4-under 67 that day and finished the tournament in a tie for 18th.
Joel Dahmen and Harry Higgs, 2022
Ryder and Ortiz may have been the only players to ace the famous hole last year, but that doesn't mean they were the only ones who had some fun. After making his par putt, Harry Higgs celebrated by lifting his shirt and facing the crowd in the stands. His playing partner, Joel Dahmen, took notice and joined the action by taking his shirt off and waving it around as Higgs ran across the green celebrating. It may not have been an ace, but the fans didn't react any differently. Dahmen placed in a tie for 62nd in the tourney, while Higgs tied for 49th.
Francesco Molinari, 2015
Francesco Molinari isn't quite known for flashy celebrations (except when next to Tommy Fleetwood in a Ryder Cup setting), but a hole-in-one at No. 16 is always a reason to show some extra emotion. The Italian was 3-under by the time he arrived at the 133-yard hole in the third round in 2015. He landed the ball just short of the hole before it bounced and then rolled in from a few feet. The crowd clapped and cheered as Molinari waved his arms to hype them up even further. He recorded his lowest round of the tournament that day with a 64. He finished the event in a tie for 22nd.
