SCOTTSDALE – The Waste Management Phoenix Open hasn’t always been kind to Rickie Fowler. For a short time on Sunday, it looked like that might be the case again.
But Fowler overcame a triple bogey on 11 at the TPC Scottsdale to finish at 17-under 267 and beat Branden Grace by two shots for his fifth PGA Tour title.
Rickie Fowler celebrates his win with his caddy as the rain begins to fall on the 18th green. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)
Emiliano Grillo celebrates his birdie on 16. Grillo’s tee shot stopped just 15 inches from the cup. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)
The big crowds finally came out on Thursday at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. This is the hill behind the 6th green. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)
A memorial was placed at the 16th hole for the late Jarrod Lyle, who aced the stadium hole in 2011. He died of leukemia on Aug. 8, 2018. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)
The TPC Scottsdale this year put up a statue to honor the nine players who have aced the 16th hole during the Phoenix Open. The names include Tiger Woods and the late Jarrod Lyle. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley strides the 11th fairway with his father, Charles Bradley, during his round in the Annexus Pro-Am. (Photo by John Mendoza/ Cronkite News)
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is known for all kinds of colorful fans, including this group at the notorious 16th hole. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)
Special Olympian Richie Brady took part in the Special Olympics Arizona Celebrity Putting Challenge on Tuesday. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)
Overnight co-leader Rickie Fowler got off to a fast start Friday with this birdie on the 2nd hole. Fowler won his first Phoenix Open Sunday despite a triple-bogey. (Photo by John Mendoza/Cronkite News)
“Yeah, this one is a little more special,” he said. “It’s not just the normal event. I love the atmosphere here, I love the fans. They have always been great to me. The Thunderbirds have been nothing short of amazing to me, giving me a spot here when I was an (amateur) at Oklahoma State.”
It was a far better result than last year, when he had the lead after Saturday’s play before shooting a 2-over 73 and falling six shots behind winner Gary Woodland.
Although attendance wasn’t kept at the Open for the first time, the Thunderbirds, the charity arm of the tournament, deemed it a success. Beautiful weather Saturday drew a big crowd, although rain on Sunday kept many fans away.
