SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm will get the party started early on Thursday in the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
Mickelson and Rahm, former Arizona State stars, are scheduled to begin play with Xander Schauffele on the 10th tee at TPC Scottsdale just before 8 a.m. They will hit the rowdy par-3 16th hours before the alcohol-fueled revelry kicks into high gear at the stadium hole.
No matter the time, they’ll hear plenty of “Forks up!” and “Go Devils!” cries from the gallery.
“Every time I go by, every hole, every single shot, I get cheers from someone from ASU,” said Rahm. “When you miss a shot, you remember how many people you have pulling for you. And when you’re playing good, it makes it that much more fun. It just escalates everything to a whole level of joy.”
Hideki Matsuyama, the two-time defending champion, will be in the group directly ahead with Rickie Fowler and Webb Simpson, players that Matsuyama outlasted in playoffs the past two years.
“It’s going to kind of be weird to play with them on Thursday and Friday,” said Matsuyama.
On the other side of the draw, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas will join Patton Kizzire, the lone two-time winner this season.
“This is always a little different week, very exciting,” Spieth said. “Nice change, kind of a fun change with this kind of party crowd.”
Rahm and Mickelson are playing together for the first time in the tournament and fourth time on the PGA Tour. Mickelson’s brother, Tim, coached Rahm at Arizona State and was Rahm’s agent. Tim Mickelson is now his older brother’s caddie.
“He’s always been a great friend and mentor to me,” Rahm said of Phil Mickelson, the 47-year-old Hall of Famer. “He’s helped me out on everything he’s been able to help me out on. Even in college and out of college. And we just have a lot of fun together. I love playing practice rounds with him, I love joking around with him.”
Rahm, 23, has jumped to No. 2 in the world behind Dustin Johnson.
“He’ll get there (No. 1), eventually,” Mickelson said. “He’s so talented and to have him do it as quickly as he had right out of college, very impressive. Not only that, he’s such a nice guy to be around.”
Rahm was second behind Johnson at Kapalua in his first start since winning the European Tour’s season-ending tournament in Dubai in November.
He’s making his third appearance in the tournament after tying for fifth as an amateur in 2015 and tying for 16th last year.
“I live a couple miles from here,” said Rahm. “It’s home.”
Mickelson is making his 29th start in the tournament, matching the record held by Gene Littler, Jim Ferrier and Jerry Barber. Mickelson won on the Stadium Course in 1996, 2005 and 2013.
“I just love what I do. I love playing golf for a living,” Mickelson said. “I love the West Coast and I’m excited to be back here in Phoenix.
“The golf course is in great shape. We have got great weather. It’s just a fun place to play, one of the places I look forward to every year.”