The Waste Management Open has been and gone for another year and left behind a dark cloud in many ways when it comes to the event.
The tournament in Phoenix is known for its over the top crowds and the famous 16th hole. In the main, this has been a positive for the game and it’s become a bit of a tradition for the WM Open to be one of the most watched events on the tour.
However, things bubbled over a bit too much this year. There were problems with the crowd and drinking, while some players – such as Zach Johnson – had arguments with certain ‘fans’.
And speaking about the event on his latest podcast, YouTube star Rick Shiels believes the event is in danger of losing it’s top players.
Rick Shiels shares his big worry about about the Waste Management Open
Speaking on the latest episode of his Rick Shiels Podcast, the popular YT golfer admitted that the top, top players will simply stop playing, as he cited Rory McIlroy’s absence as a major point.
“You’re never going to see Rory there, are you? Rory hasn’t been there for a few years. You’re not going to see Rory there. He’s someone who puts himself out there a bit more, who might be hurled abuse at potentially. When does it get to the point when other big name players, when do you get those guys saying it’s not for me,” Shiels said.
WM Open losing control
Shiels discusses this on the pod but there is a feeling that every year, the dial just turns up a touch more and it makes things harder to control.
Put simply, the event organisers need to get a bit of a grip on this next year. The same fun-packed event can go ahead but there has to be some lessons learned, whether that be stricter security rules or limiting the booze, for example.
As Shiels says, sponsors pay for the best players to be at the events and if those top players start going away, then so does the money.
The PGA will no doubt have had their say on this and come 2025, expect there to be a slightly different feel to proceedings.
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