WM Phoenix Open: Top five moments – From Tiger Woods to Harry Higgs and Joel Dahmen’s wild celebrations

One of the most bonkers weeks in golf has arrived on the PGA Tour.

It is a tournament that fans and players circle on their calendars as soon as the schedule is released, such is the anticipation for the “Greatest Show on Grass”. The party atmosphere and one-of-a-kind experience has also produced some of the greatest moments ever seen on tour.

Below, we pick out our top five moments.

Tiger Woods hole-in-one – 16th hole – 1997

In 1997, a 21-year-old Tiger Woods stepped up to the tee on the famous par-3 16th. An estimated 15,000 fans flanked the full length of the hole, and behind the tee it looked at least 20 deep, with fans desperate to get a glimpse of the new kid on the block who already had three victories to his name. Little did they know of the pandemonium that was to ensue.

“They’re going to go nuts when he hits this thing.”

On-course reporter, Robert Wrenn’s, now famous line certainly was accurate. Woods let fly with his nine iron from 152 yards and on contact, the crowd went wild.

The ball pitched just shy of the cup and hopped in for a one. Cue carnage.

Beers were flying and Tiger, along with the fans, was getting hyped. Woods celebrated so hard he would later jokingly reveal that he “broke Fluff’s (caddie Mike Cowan) hand”. As Woods got the fans to ‘raise the roof’ in the aftermath of his achievement he recalled turning around to take it all in: “Just smelling and hearing the beer hit behind me on the tee box. To turn around and see all this beer flying was crazy.”

Such was the triggering roar of Woods’ achievement, the clubhouse windows were rattling, nearly 600 yards away.

Woods has a highlight reel that could last for days but this moment is certainly one of the all-time greats.

Andrew Magee – Hole-in-one on a Par-4 – 17th hole – 2001

A hole-in-one on a par-4. Yes, you read that right.

You often hear of certain records getting broken, whether it be birdie streaks or longest drives, but one record that still stands on its own to this day on the PGA Tour is Andrew Magee’s feat, which was achieved at the 2001 edition of the event.

After feeling rather frustrated with a bogey on the relatively straightforward par-5 15th, Magee was juiced up and bounced back with a birdie on the following hole. With that adrenaline still pumping through his system, he pulverised a drive on the 332-yard par-4 17th, not thinking for a moment it would get onto the green.

However, it did just that. It bounded up onto the putting surface and into the group in front.

Luckily it didn’t hit Steve Pate who had finished up but the same can’t be said for Tom Byrum, who was hunched over an eight-footer.

The unique thing is though, the ball didn’t hit Byrum, but in fact his putter. Ironically, his own positioning and line up gave the perfect assist to Magee’s ball that canoned off the putter face and into the hole.

Magee recalls: “I’m standing there looking around with the crowds going crazy, my dad’s up there, I don’t know what’s going down until a Tour official comes down the middle of the fairway in his golf cart and he goes ‘TOUCHDOWN!’, I said ‘a six’? and he goes no, ‘a one!’”

Jarrod Lyle hole-in-one – 16th hole – 2011

Fans had been waiting nine years for a hole-in-one on the 16th before the much-missed Jarrod Lyle stepped up to the tee in 2011, and thanks to the big Australian they wouldn’t have to wait much longer.

The club twirl hinted that he was pleased with his effort and so it proved as his 8-iron pitched just shy of the hole, hopped forward and with a touch of side spin, nestled into the cup.

Lyle threw his hands up in the air where the crowd rejoiced and joined in with the celebrations.

This moment seems even more special because of his sad passing. He had battled acute myeloid leukaemia as a teenager where it came back for a second time in 2012. He courageously fought back to play in 20 PGA Tour events from 2014-2016, but his leukaemia would return again in 2017, and in 2018 he sadly passed away at age 36.

Whilst we get to celebrate the ‘Greatest Show on Grass’, it also allows us time to celebrate the life of a player lost far too soon.

Sam Ryder hole-in-one – 16th – 2022

Another one of the tournament’s all-time moments came last year and brought with it opinion from both sides of the fence.

Thousands of hollering fans welcomed Sam Ryder into the coliseum that is the 16th hole. Three tiers of fans wrapped round the 124-yard par-3 in anticipation of hopefully being part of another famous moment at the iconic hole.

The then 32-year-old had yet to record a hole-in-one since turning pro but the American wouldn’t have to wait much longer. With the swish of a 54-degree wedge, the ball was sent into orbit as the fans hushed to see where it would end up.

That hush soon descended into chaos.

With a helping of side spin, the ball found the bottom of the hole and the thousands of fans let their $9 beers rain down. Not a single golf clap could be heard, it was just pure elation with folks jumping up and down and clambering over one another.

The raucous nature of the celebration left many commenting that it had gone a bit too far and was bringing the game into disrepute but try telling that to the tens of thousands having the time of their lives.

Harry Higgs and Joel Dahmen go topless

The 16th green witnessed more than one ‘viral’ moment last year.

Close friends and fan favourites, Harry Higgs and Joel Dahmen, found themselves paired with one another on the final day. Dahmen, no stranger to comedic antics on social media, was quick to post their tee time along with a tease for their fans.

If a certain number of retweets were made, then Higgs would go topless on No.16.

As the pair reached the stadium hole, some fans who filled the stands were clearly aware of what was on offer and cries of “Take it off!” and “We want skin!” could be heard.

Birdies didn’t come their way but a testy up and down for Higgs’ par was at stake.

As the final revolution of the ball tipped over into the cup, Higgs got the party started and lifted up his shirt, much to the delight of the thousands of fans in the stands.

The noise level went up further decibels as Dahmen joined his friend but removed his shirt altogether, parading around the green windmilling his top above his head.

Cue the next ‘weather delay’!