Rowdy fans chant and cheer at the 16th hole at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020. The tournament's boisterous and full atmosphere, the most attended in golf, earned it the nickname, "The Greatest Show on Grass".
The Greatest Show on Grass
The Professional Golf Association's best attended tournament isn't at all typical by golf standards. It's loud, for one, and crowds erupt at any chance. Around half a million people flock to the Waste Management Phoenix Open over five days of heavy drinking, balmy weather and passionate fans, especially at the infamous 16th hole. The unique atmosphere brings quite the spectacle and fan experience.
Photographed for The Arizona Republic
Thousands watch a golfer play the Stadium Course during the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Huck Wright, center, smokes a cigar with friends at the open.
A man wears a 16th hole hat.
A beer bursts open as a man catches it at the 16th hole.
J.J. Spaun, seen through a Waste Management sign, drives the ball on a course.
Dollar bills used to bet on golfers are seen in the stands.
Scott Taylor of Calgary, Canada, wearing a Canada themed suit, orders two beers in the stands.
A man watches golf in the grass during the open.
Golfer Sungjae Im walks past the players only port-o-let under a stadium.
Dressed as Lloyd and Harry from Dumb and Dumber, Jared Amason and Dan Gittemeier stand for a portrait.
Eight-year-old Trey McKnight attempts to get the players' attention with his sign.
Jeff Rivera, dressed up as Mr. Chow from "The Hangover", poses for a portrait.
A marshal holds a "Quiet" sign in front of the audience while a golfer plays.
Fans watch golf at the 18th hole.
A group of Edmonton Oilers fans relax while watching the tournament.
The Nike Air Max 97 G Waste Management limited edition shoes are worn by Kristi Morgan.
Security volunteer Les Baron sports various pins on his hat.
Officials and volunteers get food from a concession stand during the open.
Water fowl dot the course as people watch golf.
A man uses a monocular to get closer to the tournament action.
Peter Malnati chips the ball from the sand trap in the Stadium Course.
Charmain Carribon plays with her daughter Xaria Carribon on a hillside at the open.
Employee Susan Berryman sweeps up dirt while attendees relax to her left.
The stadium is reflected in a glass barrier.
Slava Trofimchik, wearing an old school golfing outfit and Vladimir Putin socks, laughs with other fans in the stands.
Empty beer cans pile up.
Dean Fletcher of Winnipeg, Canada lays barefoot in the grass at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, his first ever golf tournament.