Tournament officials are hoping fans are allowed to attend, albeit not the typical 200,000-plusGetty Images
The '21 Waste Management Phoenix Open still is months away, but how it might look, with the pandemic "continuing to surge, remains unclear," according to Nick Piecoro of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Known for its "raucous, jam-packed crowds," the event can "feel like a tailgate party, rock concert, beer festival and sporting event rolled into one." But "no one knows what elements of Phoenix Opens past will be visible" at next year's tournament. Organizers "expect to go forward with the event," but they say it "will be scaled down in every respect." They "hope to have fans, albeit nothing close to the 200,000-plus who typically turn out." And "gone will be many of the temporary structures that ran parallel to the course." Tournament Chair Scott Jenkins said, "We are cautiously optimistic that by the time we get to our event in February that we’ll be in a position to have the event and do so in a safe and responsible manner." Jenkins earlier this month said that Phoenix Open organizers were "cleared by the PGA Tour to move forward with plans for limited attendance," though he acknowledged that "could change depending on the circumstances." He "expects to seek further approval from the tour as well as city and state officials as the event draws nearer" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 11/23).
