Even by the rowdy and raucous standards of the WM Phoenix Open, the legendary par-3 16th hole overdelivered this year.
It had the usual assortment of golfers playing to the thousands of fans encircling the hole – Max Homa paid off a bet by wearing an Atlanta Braves jersey, Justin Thomas wore a jersey referencing The Sandlot movie and Harry Higgs went full Harry Higgs.
Sam Ryder and Carlos Ortiz took it over the top, making aces on consecutive days, sending the crowd into a beer-throwing frenzy.
According to the PGA Tour, there had been 2,863 tee shots hit on the 16th between Francesco Molinari’s ace there in 2015 and Ryder’s hole in one.
It took just 33 more shots for Ortiz to join in the fun.
Sam Ryder kicked the chaos into high gear during the third round by holing a 125-yard tee shot for only the 10th ace in the history of TPC Scottsdale’s most iconic hole. The frothing crowd showered Ryder figuratively with adoration and much more literally with assorted alcoholic beverages.
Carlos Ortiz followed up Sam Ryder’s hole-in-one with the second in as many days and the crowd followed up their previous bout of screaming and throwing things with another full-throated mini riot.
Former Bachelor Matt James took aim at the 16th green in the Shot at Glory challenge but instead found an unfortunate photographer when the shoeless shooter shanked his ball into the wall of assembled press.
Things got a bit out of hand again Sunday after Harry Higgs inexplicably set off another storm of suds by showing some skin at "The People's Open."
Staff and Wire Reports