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The Loudest Hole in Golf
What would you call a hole that measured 160 yards with a fairly flat green and without any major hazards?
On any other course, it would be a sure-fire birdie hole. However, this is the infamous 16th hole at the TPC Scottsdale, the most rowdy hole in golf. Each year at the FBR Open, 20,000 people surround the 16th hole with the goal of having as much fun as possible. New sky boxes have been added to fully enclose the hole, adding to the vision for true stadium golf. Players arrive to the tee box from a tunnel, hearing the crowd’s chants and roars. If they hit a quality shot, they’re rewarded with cheers. A missed shot is thoroughly berated. Whether you’re a player or a fan, the 16th offers an experience found nowhere else on the PGA Tour.
Courses all have signature holes. However, few can compare to the 16th at the FBR. "It’s just the perfect hole and the perfect amphitheater. Scottsdale resident Geoff Ogilvy was asked what other holes compare, "It was a great amphitheater even before they started putting all the stuff there… I mean, 16 at Augusta is that way in some respects… It doesn’t happen very often… 17 at Sawgrass, that’s a fair rowdy atmosphere around there. Every week it might get a bit old, but it’s fun when we do it."
But it’s not all fun and games at the 16th. The fans can draw out the darkest fears from even the best players in the world. "That can be a very scary hole. Walking to the tee is kind of like seeing a police car in your rearview mirror and you don’t know if they’re after you or not. If you’re lucky and the police car roars by, you can take a deep breath. That hole is nervous excitement," said Joe Durant.
But the crowd at 16 goes great lengths to separate themselves from being just a loud mass of people. They come armed with bios and personal anecdotes about each player, ready to turn them into chants. Last year’s champion, Aaron Baddeley was greeted with, "BRUTUS HATES BROOMS" echoing through the stands. Baddeley later explained that he in fact had a dog named Brutus who attacks brooms whenever he sweeps the house. Nathan Green heard "GRANDMA’S CLUBS" as he stepped on the tee box. Green had learned how to play golf using his grandmother’s clubs. It’s a part of the tournament players have grown to accept, "I have to give them a lot of credit," said Stewart Cink. "They do put a lot of thought into what they’re going to yell out. They’re very entertaining."
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Morning 9: 58 on the Korn Ferry Tour | Rory on possible return to policy board
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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