Waste Management Phoenix Open: Scenes From the First Round

The always rowdy Waste Management Phoenix Open teed off on Thursday at TPC Scottsdale. Here’s a look at some of the best moments from the 16th hole in the first round.

Golf fans patiently waited all week for the thrill of the Waste Management Phoenix Open and the return of the 16th hole, but it was well worth the wait. The first round at TPC Scottsdale delivered with everything you could ask for (minus the hole-in-one).

The beer was flowing and the fans were buzzing in the ‘Coliseum’ on Thursday afternoon in Scottsdale, setting up for what’s due to be a rocking weekend at the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The leaderboard is packed with 23 golfers within three shots of the lead, but they’re all chasing Rickie Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama, and Shane Lowry who sit at 6-under.

Fowler had a pretty eventful front nine (he started on the back nine) with four birdies, an eagle, and two bogeys to go out in 32 and cruised through the back nine with two birdies to finish with a 65.

Meanwhile the Irishman did one better than Rickie on the front nine, collecting five birdies and going out in 31 and finished with a 65 to tie Fowler in the clubhouse.

However, the real party was happening over at the famous 16th hole. If you happened to catch the broadcast on the Golf Channel, then you got a sense of how electric the atmosphere was. Every time a shot was shown on TV, it went from the silence of one hole to the hum of spectators at 16.

Even during golfers’ swings, there was no quieting the 20,000 spectators that filled the stadium setting. It was a tough crowd to please, booing at anything that missed the green and cheering if you got within 10 feet. Luckily for the fans, the golfers gave them something to cheer about.

While there weren’t any aces, Graham DeLaet gave us the shot of the day when he showed up his two playing partners, Aaron Baddeley and Mark Hubbard who were also within 10 feet. If you’re looking for a hole-in-one, check out this robot named LDRICK from Wednesday’s pro-am.

The celebration of the day has to be from PGA TOUR rookie and Carolina Panthers superfan, Harold Varner III. Varner drained a lengthy birdie putt and responded appropriately with an imitation of Cam Newton’s famous “Dab” dance.

Justin Thomas later gave himself a reason to celebrate on the 16th and tried to do his own version of the “Dab,” but it didn’t look quite as natural. Keep practicing JT, you’ll figure it out soon enough.

Bubba Watson entered the Waste Management Phoenix Open guns blazing after the comments he made about his real feelings about the tournament.

"“I don’t like it. I’m not going to PC it. I don’t like it at all. I just mentioned why I’m here … I’ve got three beautiful sponsors that love it here … Obviously I’m here because of my sponsors and everything. So, I love coming here. It’s always great weather. Used to have a house here. It’s always beautiful coming here and playing here.”"

As you can imagine, justice was served on the 16th tee box. By the time Bubba got to the 16th, it was almost 5 PM local time, which means the Coliseum warriors had been drinking for quite some time, making the whole situation even better.

Next: Bubba Watson Annoyed by TPC Scottsdale Overhaul

The first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open was eventually suspended due to darkness and will resume play on Friday morning. Meanwhile, it appears that Thursday set the stage for what’s sure to be a bitching good time at TPC Scottsdale this weekend.