Scottsdale, AZ …
Russell Knox headed out for only his second showing in the Waste Management Phoenix Open ready to tackle the infamous 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale.
The hole is far and away the nosiest in golf with some 20,000 fans packed three stories high overlooking the entire length at the 163-yard par three hole.
That’s more fans at one hole than most tournaments boast overall for four rounds while Phoenix Open organizers are confident of breaking last year’s four-round Tour record of 618,365 fans while the 2016 event also set the record for the most fans in a day – 201,003 spectators on day three.
The 16th is nicknamed ‘The Coliseum’ and is one of the shortest on the PGA Tour schedule.
Knox is making his second appearance in the $US 6.7m event (£5.3m) event after sharing 15th place in 2015 and helped by a third round 65.
He said: “The weather wasn’t all that good two years ago but I just had a blast.
“The whole atmosphere surrounding the event is unique and walking off 15 I was really excited and pumped-up for the 16th.
“You come off 15 and walk through a tunnel under the grandstand and them emerge right on the tee at 16.
“I made two birdies and two pars, and with one of the birdies almost disappearing into the hole for an ace so you imagine what noise that generated.
“The 17th at TPC Sawgrass is labelled the ‘Stadium Hole’ but the 16th here at Scottsdale is a lot easier’.
“But unlike Sawgrass there’s no water and if you’ve taken a double at 15 it’s a bit like being thrown to the lions, and you have to switch on walking through that tunnel, so it makes it one of the most nerve-wracking holes in all of golf.
“So, I guess it is a bit like being thrown to the lions, and why known as the Coliseum.”
Knox is coming off a two-week break having made the cut in both Hawaiian events and after this week’s event he will miss the next two, the Pebble Pro-Am and Tiger Woods hosted Genesis Open in Los Angeles, ahead of teeing up in the Honda Classic where the current World No. 18 missed out in a play-off two years ago.
He said: “The game is in good shape at the moment and I feel good after a fortnight break and itching to get going this week.
Heading this week’s event is World No. 3 Jordan Spieth and overwhelming crowd favourite, Phil Mickelson, and having attended the nearby Arizona State University, who has won the event for a third time four years ago.
It was an effort that matched the late Arnold Palmer who was unchallenged for three years from 1961 to 1963, including winning by 12 shots in 1962.
