At any golf tournament, a hole-in-one is a special moment. But at the WM Phoenix Open, it’s even more electric. The tournament’s famed par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale, surrounded by temporary grandstands and packed with rowdy fans, is nicknamed “The Loudest Hole in Golf.” Despite tens of thousands of spectators and thousands of tee shots over the years, aces there remain rare and memorable.
Since the event moved to TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, there have been just 12 aces on the 16th holeduring tournament play–roughly one every three years–despite countless attempts from the world’s best players. That scarcity only adds to the legend of aces at Phoenix, especially given how short the hole plays and how frenzied the environment can be.
First Aces and Early Legends
The first ace at the Stadium 16th came in 1987, just a year after the Phoenix Open made its debut at TPC Scottsdale. Larry Rinker drained that first ace during the second round, setting the tone for future highlights on the hole.
In 1990, fans were treated to something unprecedented: four aces in the same tournament. Brad Bryant and Andrew Magee both made one in the first round. David Edwards and Bill Sander followed with their own aces in the third.
Here is the full list of hole-in-ones at the Phoenix Open:
- 2024: Emiliano Grillo, 16th hole, 2nd round, 155 yards
- 2023: Rickie Fowler, 7th hole, 4th round, 216 yards, 6-iron
- 2022: Carlos Ortiz, 16th hole, 4th round, 179 yards, 9-iron
- 2022: Sam Ryder, 16th hole, 3rd round, 124 yards, wedge
- 2020: JB Holmes, 4th hole, 1st round, 175 yards, 7-iron
- 2020: Scott Piercy, 7th hole, 2nd round, 194 yards, 6-iron
- 2020: Webb Simpson, 12th hole, 3rd round, 196 yards, 7-iron
- 2019: Branden Grace, 7th hole, 193 yards, 8-iron
- 2016: Jack McGuire, 12th hole, 192 yards, 7-iron
- 2016: Chad Campbell, 7th hole, 194 yards, 8-iron
- 2015: Francesco Molinari, 16th hole, 133 yards, pitching wedge
- 2011: Jarrod Lyle, 16th hole, 150 yards, 8-iron
- 2011: Brendan Steele, 12th hole, 174 yards, 7-iron
- 2008: Wil Mackenzie, 12th hole, 185 yards, 6-iron
- 2007: Health Slocum, 4th hole, 179 yards, 7-iron
- 2003: Bob Burns, 4th hole, 175 yards, 6-iron
- 2003: Tim Herron, 4th hole, 182 yards, 7-iron
- 2002: Mike Sposa, 16th hole, 2nd round, 7-iron
- 2001: Andrew Magee, 17th hole, 1st round, driver
- 1998: Wayne Levi, 12th hole, 2nd round, 4-iron
- 1997: Steve Stricker, 16th hole, 4th round, 6-iron
- 1997: Tiger Woods, 16th hole, 3rd round, 9-iron
- 1992: Bruce Lietzke, 4th hole, 4th round, 8-iron
- 1992: Mark Calcavecchia, 4th hole, 1st round, 8-iron
- 1991: Jay Delsing, 16th hole, 3rd round, 9-iron
- 1990: Brad Bryant, 16th hole, 1st round
- 1990: Andrew Magee, 4th hole, 1st round
- 1990: David Edwards , 16th hole, 3rd round
- 1990: Bill Sander, 4th hole, 3rd round, 9-iron
- 1989: Billy Pierot, 7th hole, 1st round
- 1988: Hal Sutton, 16th hole, 3rd round
- 1987: Larry Rinker, 12th hole, 2nd round, 5-iron
Who’s Most Likely to Make a Hole-in-One at the 2026 Phoenix Open
While hole-in-ones at Phoenix remain rare, certain players in this year’s field profile well for making one if the right conditions align.
Some golfers have established reputations for accuracy and par-3 brilliance, both of which are key ingredients for aces on a short but tricky hole like the 16th. Scottie Scheffler , who has won multiple times at Scottsdale and already boasts several PGA Tour aces in his career, tops this list. His iron play is among the most consistent on Tour, and his ability to read wind and elevation could give him the edge if he elects the right club and line.
Other elite iron specialists include Xander Schauffele and Viktor Hovland . Both players rank among the Tour leaders in strokes gained: approach and have shown a knack for hitting the green on par-3s under varying conditions.
While accuracy gets golfers to the dance, sometimes the hole-in-one comes from sheer confidence and distance coupled with precision. Brooks Koepka , though known primarily for power and major championship pedigree, has demonstrated the ability to dial in steady iron play when needed, and who’s to say the adrenaline being back on the Tour doesn’t give him the edge to hit an ace?
Similarly, players like Tony Finau and Wyndham Clark have both demonstrated length and control in the desert environment. When tee shots catch the green at just the right spot, they have shown the kind of aggressive stroke needed to turn a par-3 opportunity into a highlight reel moment.
Ryder, Fowler, Grillo, and Ortiz are also worth watching; all having past success on the hole, indicating they know how to approach the moment when the crowd gets loud.
But what makes the WM Phoenix Open special is no matter the odds, the stats, or the star power on the tee, one swing in Scottsdale can change everything, and it truly is anyone’s chance.
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