Burning Question

Q
Why is the crowd at the Phoenix Open the rowdiest on the PGA Tour?

A
If the Tour had an Animal House, it would be Phoenix. In 1997, after Tiger Woods aced the par-3 16th, he was showered at the tee with been cups and empty cans. Last year David Duval was hounded by the fans (when it appeared he was going to lay up on a short par-4, someone shouted "next time wear a skirt") and finally gave the gallery the finger. " Phoenix is not golf," says 22-year Tour vet John Cook, who makes it a point to skip the event "It's a circus."

How did a minor Tour stop in the desert become the Happy Gilmore Memorial? In 1987, when the event moved to the TPC of Scottsdale, organizers lavished free tickets on local sponsors; the result was a crowd that was as much frat-house as country club. Liberal alcohol policies—spectators could buy as many beers as they could carry—fueled a free-for-all atmosphere. "We really have never denied it's a party," says tournament head John Perkinson.

Organizers have tried to tone things down, particularly after a 1999 incident in which a man heckling Woods was arrested and found to be carrying a gun. But Phoenix's reputation lives on. Last week a teen was arrested after throwing an orange near Woods as he putted on the 9th green—all limes presumably having been used in margaritas.