2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open tees off in Scottsdale

PHOENIX — The “Greatest Show on Grass” is back in Scottsdale for another year of celebrities, fundraising, music performances and, of course, golf.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open kicked off at TPC Scottsdale near Hayden and Bell roads on Monday and will continue until Sunday.

Entry is free for Monday’s Kadima.Ventures Pro-Am and Tuesday’s practice rounds, but general admission tickets are $45 Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and $60 Friday and Saturday.

Active and retired military members and anyone under the age of 17 can get in free any day of the tournament.

Parking is also free, but attendees are encouraged to use ride-share services like Uber or Lyft to cut down on the number of cars in the lot.

The nearly week long PGA tournament provides guests the opportunity to come from across the country and witness some of the best in the world play on the green.

Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler, Cameron Champ and Bubba Watson are among the golfers who will play, tournament chairman Chance Cozby told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

“(Mickelson) has played more Phoenix Opens than anyone in the history of the tournament,” he said. “We ended with 24 players in the top 50 in the world.”

But for those who aren’t interested in watching can participate in other activities, including visiting the newly upgraded venue El Rancho near the 12th hole.

“It is the highest point on the golf course, you can see golf on six different holes,” Cozby said. “It’s a beautiful spot on the property.”

Fans who have been to the tournament before will notice something new when they return this year: A new monument on the famed 16th hole.

Cozby said the monument — which has been under design for about a year and will remain permanently on the course — will recognize all the people who made hole-in-ones at the hole, including Tiger Woods in 1997.

More than 719,000 people attended last year’s tournament, event organizers estimated, contributing to a record-breaking $12.2 million raised for Arizona charities.

So whether you are a golf fan or just looking to take advantage of the annual event and the warm temperatures this week, Cozby said there will be plenty for everyone.

“The Open is more than a golf tournament,” Cozby said.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Griselda Zetino contributed to this report. 

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