Phoenix Open shuts gates, limits alcohol with course too crowded

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Even the famed, unrestricted Phoenix Open places a limit on the amount of debauchery allowed on a golf course.

The tournament at TPC Scottsdale stopped allowing fans into the venue around 2 p.m. Saturday because it was too crowded. He also briefly halted alcohol sales at several locations around the course, hoping to slow down the partying.

This is the first time the Phoenix Open has had to, at least briefly, turn away ticket holders.

Huge crowds came to Scottsdale despite less than ideal weather conditions. It rained in the 40s for most of the morning before the sun peeked through the clouds and temperatures reached the 50s.

“Due to larger than usual crowds, the entrance gates to the WM Phoenix Open are temporarily closed and shuttle service to the event is suspended,” the tournament posted on social media. “The shuttle service to the parking lots will remain operational. Check our channels regularly for updates.”

Jordan Spieth told reporters the crowd overflow affected his return to the course for his afternoon third-round tee time.

“When I went home and when I came back, I couldn't follow the same direction,” Spieth said, according to SI.com. “The police had blocked him, so I drove up and said, 'How am I supposed to get back to class?' He said: “We are over capacity. It’s dangerous, so we have to go through another step.” [entrance].'

“Once he said that, I thought maybe we were struggling a little bit this afternoon, but we were top nine so it was a little quieter, and I heard to say that they had stopped the sale of alcohol.”

The Phoenix Open, nicknamed “the greatest show on grass,” is unlike anything else in golf. Masses of up to 200,000 fans fill TPC Scottsdale Stadium with cheers, boos and occasional beer showers.

The eye of the rowdy hurricane is the 16th hole, a tiered cluster of a par-3 where “Quiet Please” signs are met with great disdain.

A woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a fall at 16 on Friday. It is unclear if the woman had been drinking before the incident.

Spieth expects more crowds to come on Sunday, with many players still having to complete their third round before starting their last 18.

“Saturday is normally the big day, but I think with 27 holes tomorrow we might see more people than usual on Sunday anyway,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.