Breaking Down the Final Four: Why TPC Scottsdale’s Closing Stretch Is Must-Watch Golf
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - The WM Phoenix Open might be known for its rowdy crowds and party atmosphere, especially at the infamous 16th hole, but ask any PGA Tour pro what really matters this week, and they’ll point you to the golf course - specifically, the final four holes at TPC Scottsdale. This stretch doesn’t just close out rounds - it can define careers, swing tournaments, and leave players either celebrating or second-guessing every decision.
Let’s take a closer look at why holes 15 through 18 are some of the most compelling finishing holes on Tour.
No. 15 - Par 5, 553 yards: Risk-Reward Theater
On paper, No. 15 is a gettable par 5. It ranked as the third-easiest hole on the course in 2025 with a scoring average of 4.725, producing 10 eagles and plenty of birdies. But don’t let the stats fool you - this hole has teeth.
The lake that hugs the entire left side of the hole is always lurking, especially for those trying to reach the green in two. The putting surface is guarded by water on three sides, demanding precision and nerve.
A slight miscue, and you’re suddenly scrambling to save par - or worse. In fact, this hole coughed up more double bogeys than any other on the course last year, with 12.
“You really have to hit a good tee shot on 15, a good second shot,” said Sahith Theegala, who’s playing this week on a sponsor exemption. “Just got to stay locked in and focused on all those shots.”
It’s the kind of hole where a bold move can pay off with an eagle roar - or end a run with a splash.
No. 16 - Par 3, 163 yards: The Coliseum
There’s no hole in golf quite like the 16th at TPC Scottsdale. Enclosed by a three-story stadium that packs in around 18,000 fans, it’s where golf meets gladiator arena.
The moment a tee ball is struck, the crowd reacts - cheers for darts, boos for misses. And if someone jars one?
The eruption can be heard for miles.
But the atmosphere isn’t the only challenge. Despite being the ninth-easiest hole in 2025 (3.005 average), swirling winds inside the stadium can play tricks on even the steadiest of players.
“I think the hardest thing on 16 is figuring out where the wind is,” said two-time WM Phoenix Open champ Scottie Scheffler. “It can be silly at times saying that in the desert, but those little gusts that come in and out can feel really different inside that arena.”
There was just one ace here last year - a reminder that while birdies are common (69 in 2025), nothing is automatic. It’s a short hole, but the pressure is sky-high.
No. 17 - Par 4, 332 yards: Temptation with a Trapdoor
Hole 17 is where strategy and execution collide. A drivable par 4, it offers the chance for a late-round birdie or eagle - but also the real possibility of disaster.
In 2025, it was the fourth-easiest hole on the course with a scoring average of 3.728, and it yielded 149 birdies. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s a pushover.
Designed by Tom Weiskopf - who had a knack for crafting drivable par 4s - the 17th at Scottsdale is a classic example of “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”
Sahith Theegala knows that lesson all too well. Four years ago, in his tournament debut, he was in contention late on Sunday.
He went for the green - and found the water left. That decision cost him a shot at the playoff.
“I’ve thought about that hole way too much probably,” Theegala admitted. “The biggest issue was just didn’t carry it far enough off that shot and it kicked off that mound... It’s a good microcosm of how a shot like that, one shot in a career, can really impact you the rest of the way so you don’t make a similar strategical mistake.”
This year, Theegala is playing the hole with a different mindset. With his current form, he’s favoring a draw with his 4-wood, aiming for the chipping area on the right rather than flirting with the water on the left. It’s the kind of adjustment that shows how much this hole gets in players’ heads.
No. 18 - Par 4, 442 yards: The Closer
The 18th at TPC Scottsdale doesn’t scream drama the way 16 and 17 do, but it’s a sneaky-tough finisher that can make or break a round, especially for players in chase mode. It played as the fifth-easiest hole in 2025 (3.966 average), but it also produced two scores of triple bogey or worse - the most of any hole on the course.
Water runs down the left side off the tee, but only halfway. From there, a series of church-pew bunkers guard the fairway, though most players manage to avoid them. The real challenge is the approach - and the pressure that comes with it.
“The water on 18 shouldn’t be an issue as long as I hit it solid,” Theegala said - a sentiment that likely echoes through the minds of most players on Sunday afternoon. But when the leaderboard is tight and adrenaline is pumping, “shouldn’t” can turn into “didn’t” in a heartbeat.
The Final Stretch: A Rollercoaster Finish
Collectively, holes 15 through 18 played to a combined 246-under par in 2025. No. 15 and No. 17 were the biggest scoring opportunities, with players going a combined 115-under and 113-under respectively. No. 16 played just 4-under total, and No. 18 sat at 14-under - not exactly birdie fests, but enough to swing momentum.
This is what makes the WM Phoenix Open such a thrill to watch down the stretch. The final four holes offer a little bit of everything: risk, reward, crowd noise, and nerves.
One hole can catapult a player up the board. Another can send them tumbling.
At TPC Scottsdale, the party might be loudest at the 16th, but the real drama unfolds across all four of those closing holes. And for players in the hunt on Sunday, that stretch is where legends - and heartbreaks - are made.