Strong Field, Big Crowds Expected At Waste Management Open

The PGA Tour Waste Management Phoenix Open tees off today at TPC Scottsdale, and while "some of the top names might be missing" this week, the tourney "will feature one of the stronger fields in its history." The field includes 26 of the top 30 in the FedExCup standings, and 13 of the top 30 in the world rankings. Tournament Chair Andy Markham said that the event's advertising, which centers on the idea of "respect," is part of a "concerted effort to keep fans in line as crowd sizes swell." The event drew "more than 600,000 fans last year and more massive galleries are expected this week" (AZCENTRAL.com, 1/31).

A "capacity crowd of 16,000" was on hand yesterday at the par-3 16th as Jordan Spieth and Michael Phelps took part in the tournament's pro-am (N.Y. TIMES, 2/2).