SCOTTSDALE (Arizona) — Monday’s driving range at McCormick Ranch Golf Club was nothing short of spectacular. Every hitting area was filled with golfers who slowly worked their way through their Pinnacle practice balls.
A 60-year-old player showed his friend his new headcover featuring Cartman from South Park. In his 20s, a younger golfer wore a camouflage joggers and a black hoodie.
This wasn’t your ordinary Monday. Harrison Endycott, a pro on the Australian PGA Tour, was just feet away. Aaron Baddeley, a fellow Aussie, was there on the practice course with his two children. Their hair was as long as their father’s.
Harry Hall, a 25 year-old Englishman, played at UNLV with a Trackman in his Callaway Paradym bag. He also had a new push cart.
Harry Hall practice at McCormick Golf Club before the 2023 WM Phoenix Open Monday qualifier. (Photo by Todd Kelly/Golfweek).
Hall stated, “I know that I have a PGA Tour schedule for this year. I’m a rookie so I have tournaments I will definitely be in so this would certainly be a perk.” Hall said, “I am a Vegas boy so I like desert and I enjoy the crowd. That’s why I’m here.”
Ben Griffin, a Tour rookie who is currently 30th in FedEx Cup Points, was also at the qualifier. He doesn’t have enough status yet to be eligible for the Phoenix Open field.
It’s not only rookies who are in the qualifier field. Grayson Murray and Martin Trainer, Kevin Chappell as well as DJ Trahan, Bo Van Pelt, Robert Garrigus, and DJ Trahan were all there.
SCORES: WM Phoenix Open Monday qualifier
96 golfers competed for the last three spots at the 2023 WM Phoenix Open. Although the qualifier was originally compared to an opposite-field event some years back, this year it is especially interesting because it is the first full-field-designated event with a $20m purse and a $3.6M first-place prize.
Baddeley has more than $25,000,000 in career earnings and is a former champion at TPC Scottsdale. In 2023, he has made six cuts and finished in the top-10s on eight occasions. However, he didn’t get one of five highly sought-after sponsor invitations. He was finishing up his pre-round warmup when a fan noticed him and said good luck.
Book your TPC Scottsdale trip today
Baddeley’s 12-year-old daughter took it upon her to send a letter to Thunderbirds asking them to give her dad a place at the Phoenix Open. Baddeley drove to qualifying in Baddeley’s own home in Scottsdale, where he slept in his own bedroom.
He said, “I was disappointed not get in for certain.” “My game is in a good place, and being up in the FedEx [60th],” I felt I had a good shot, past champ. The game is very good, with two top-10s already.
Although the qualifier had more players, Pebble Beach’s Monday finish changed many plans.
The original entry list contained 19 pros who withdrew from qualifying, including Nick Hardy (the Phoenix Open’s first alternate).
Two golfers couldn’t play the qualifier, at least. Eric Cole, T-15 at Pebble and Sung Kang at T-29 at Pebble swam from the Monterey Peninsula to land at Scottsdale Airport approximately 30 minutes before their local tee times at 1:40 p.m. They arrived too late.
Play will resume at 8 a.m. on Tuesday after the Monday qualifier. If there is a playoff (and there is a good chance), those still in contention play No. 18 until there are three remaining golfers.
They’ll be able to get to TPC Scottsdale in the afternoon for a practice round, before the Phoenix Open begins on Thursday.
