Phoenix Open shuts gates, limits alcohol with course too crowded

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Even the famously no-holds-barred Phoenix Open has a restrict on how a lot debauchery is allowed on a golf course.

The match at TPC Scottsdale stopped permitting followers onto the premises round 2 p.m. Saturday as a result of it was too crowded. It additionally briefly stopped alcohol gross sales at a number of places across the course, hoping to decelerate the social gathering.

It is the primary time the Phoenix Open has needed to, not less than briefly, flip away ticket holders.

The large crowds got here to Scottsdale regardless of lower than ideally suited climate circumstances. It was raining and within the 40s for many of the morning earlier than the solar peeked by the clouds and temperatures rose to the 50s.

“Attributable to bigger than normal crowds, the WM Phoenix Open entrance gates are briefly closed and shuttle service to the occasion is on maintain,” the match stated on social media. “Shuttle service again to parking tons will stay operating. Frequently verify our channels for updates.”

Jordan Spieth advised reporters the overflow crowds affected his return to the course for his third-round afternoon tee time.

“Once I went house and once I got here again, I could not come the identical course,” Spieth stated, based on SI.com. “The law enforcement officials had blocked it off, so I drove up and I stated, ‘How am I purported to get again to the course?’ He stated, ‘We’re over capability. It is hazardous, so we have to undergo a unique [entrance].’

“As soon as he stated that, I assumed perhaps we had been in a bit little bit of bother this afternoon, however we had been on the entrance 9 so it was rather less rowdy, and I heard they stopped alcohol gross sales.”

The Phoenix Open, dubbed “Biggest Present on Grass,” is not like something in golf. Lots of as much as 200,000 followers pack TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course with cheers, boos and the occasional beer bathe.

The attention of the rowdy hurricane is the sixteenth gap, a multitiered social gathering of a par-3 the place “Quiet please” indicators are met with ample disdain.

On Friday, a girl suffered non-life-threatening accidents after falling on the sixteenth. It was unknown if the lady had been ingesting earlier than the incident.

Spieth expects extra huge crowds to come back Sunday, with many gamers nonetheless needing to complete their third rounds earlier than starting their closing 18.

“Saturday is often the massive day, however I feel with 27 holes tomorrow, we’d see some extra individuals come out than normal on Sunday anyway,” he stated.

The Related Press contributed to this report.