I love the Waste Management Phoenix Open! This is special to Aaron and everyone around him for so many reasons. Of course one of those reasons was his astounding victory there in 2007. With rounds of 65, 70, 64 and 64 Aaron had a 263 to win by 1 stroke. To make the win even sweeter, he did it before his hometown of Scottsdale, Arizona. With well over 100 close friends and family there to support him, the atmosphere was pretty much perfect for Badds.
I’m sure you have all heard about the famous par 3, 16th hole. It has stadium seating surrounding it (which thanks to some recent renovations now holds 20,000 people) and has made its mark in golf as being one of the most exciting and intimidating holes in tour. Up to 20,000 fans will line the short fairway and green and will boo the players if they have a bad shot and scream and chant for them if they have a great shot. You can only imagine how nerve racking this hole must be for the players but I think by now they are fairly use to it. Most of them seem to be able to relax and enjoy the experience and sometimes you will even see a player ham it up for the crowd.
TPC Scottsdale hosts the Waste Management Phoenix Open. This is one of my favorite courses on the PGA Tour although I must admit I am a little biased because it was my hometown course and it is one of the most exciting spectator events for golf fans. It is a fairly unique course because it manages to blend typical desert course attributes with the fun and challenge of water on several holes. Despite being in Arizona, the weather is not predictable with wind and cold air always a potential addition to the other challenges posed by the TPC of Scottsdale. It is 7,216 yards and par is 71. The purse this week is 6 million and the winner will take home a nice $1,080,000. It is also a chance to take home 500 FedExCup points.
Kenny Perry is the defending champion and after a great 2009, he will be looking to have another victory under his belt! Aaron will tee off from the 1st on Thursday at 12:17pm with Jason Bohn and Briny Baird.
GO BADDS!
Shelley