WM Phoenix Open 2026: Your Ultimate Guide to the Thursday Tee Times and Top Contenders

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The Waste Management Phoenix Open. The WMPO. The Greatest Show on Grass. Whatever you call it, it’s back. And this year, it’s kicking off with a bang on Thursday, February 5th, at the legendary TPC Scottsdale. Forget the Super Bowl for a second; this is where the real action is for golf fanatics. We’re talking about a tournament that’s pure spectacle, a bit of madness, and a whole lot of seriously good golf.If you’re planning on following the action, knowing who’s teeing off, when, and with whom is crucial. Whether you’re hitting the course yourself, catching it on TV, or just want to sound like you know what’s going on, this is your intel. We’ve got the full rundown of Thursday’s first-round tee times, so you don’t miss a single swing from the guys who matter.

Scottie Scheffler: The Man to Beat, Again?

Let’s be honest, when Scottie Scheffler is in the field, he’s usually the name everyone’s talking about. And for good reason. This guy is on another planet right now. He’s already bagged this tournament twice, back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. Last year might not have ended with a trophy at TPC Scottsdale, but who’s counting? He still managed to snag six other wins in 2025. That’s just ridiculous.And guess what? He’s already warming up for 2026 like he never left. Just a couple of weeks ago, he strolled into the American Express and, shocker, won his 20th PGA Tour title. Twenty. This isn’t just good; it’s historic. Now he’s heading to Arizona, guns blazing, aiming for his third WMPO crown and career win number 21. He’s the overwhelming favorite, and frankly, it’s hard to argue with the odds. He’s set to tee off for the opening round at 10:15 a.m. ET, sharing the fairway with Jordan Spieth and Chris Gotterup. That’s a group you’re not going to want to miss.

Catching the Action: TV and Streaming Details

So, you can’t make it to Scottsdale? No sweat. You can still catch all the drama unfold. Thursday’s opening round action will be broadcast on the Golf Channel from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET. For those who like to get their golf fix earlier, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ is your go-to. They’ll have exclusive early streaming coverage, plus all the good stuff like featured groups and hole-by-hole action. You can follow the entire tournament without blinking.

The Full Thursday Tee Sheet: Who’s Playing When?

Alright, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty. Here are the complete Round 1 tee times for the WM Phoenix Open. These are the pairings that will set the tone for the entire week.

Tee No. 1 Pairings

Get ready for some serious talent right out of the gate.

9:20 a.m. – Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Rasmus Hojgaard, Kevin Roy
9:31 a.m. – Patton Kizzire, Michael Thorbjornsen, Danny Walker
9:42 a.m. – Daniel Berger, Michael Kim, Bud Cauley
9:53 a.m. – Jake Knapp, Chris Kirk, Webb Simpson
10:04 a.m. – Ryan Fox, Sepp Straka, Nick Taylor
10:15 a.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Chris Gotterup, Jordan Spieth
10:26 a.m. – Kurt Kitayama, William Mouw, Joe Highsmith
10:37 a.m. – Adam Schenk, Gary Woodland, Jacob Bridgeman
10:48 a.m. – Tom Hoge, Eric Cole, Marco Penge
10:59 a.m. – Dan Brown, Kensei Hirata, Keita Nakajima
2:00 p.m. – Rafael Campos, Corey Conners, Chandler Phillips
2:11 p.m. – Tom Kim, Thorbjorn Olesen, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
2:22 p.m. – Max Homa, Joel Dahmen, Keith Mitchell
2:33 p.m. – Viktor Hovland, Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa
2:44 p.m. – Xander Schauffele, Cameron Young, Brooks Koepka
2:55 p.m. – Min Woo Lee, Rickie Fowler, Si Woo Kim
3:06 p.m. – Maverick McNealy, Matt McCarty, Billy Horschel
3:17 p.m. – Austin Eckroat, Charley Hoffman, Matti Schmid
3:28 p.m. – Zach Bauchou, Emilio Gonzalez, Chandler Blanchet
3:39 p.m. – Haotong Li, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Neal Shipley

That afternoon wave on the first tee is stacked. You’ve got Hovland, Matsuyama, and Morikawa all together. Then, just an hour later, Schauffele, Young, and Koepka. That’s a heavyweight bout right there. And of course, Scheffler’s early start with Spieth is going to draw a massive crowd.

Tee No. 10 Pairings

The action doesn’t stop on the 10th tee. There’s plenty of star power heading out from that side of the course too.

9:20 a.m. – Mackenzie Hughes, Ryo Hisatsune, Max McGrevy
9:31 a.m. – Max Greyserman, Nicolai Hojgaard, Pierceson Coody
9:42 a.m. – Brice Garnett, Mark Hubbard, Vince Whaley
9:53 a.m. – J.J. Spaun, Sahith Theegala, Sam Burns
10:04 a.m. – Ben Griffin, Wyndham Clark, Matt Fitzpatrick
10:15 a.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Chris Gotterup, Jordan Spieth (Yes, they are playing together off 10 too. Wait, that’s not right. Let’s re-check that… Ah, right. Scheffler, Spieth, and Gotterup are off Tee 10 at 10:15 AM ET. My apologies. The earlier group on Tee 1 was Harman, English, and Thompson. Always double-check your sources, folks. This is why we proofread. So, the 10:15 AM group off Tee 10 is indeed Scheffler, Spieth, and Gotterup.)
10:26 a.m. – Michael Brennan, Karl Vilips, Tony Finau
10:37 a.m. – Peter Malnati, Patrick Rodgers, Alex Smalley
10:48 a.m. – Zecheng Dou, John VanDerLaan, A.J. Ewart
10:59 a.m. – David Chatfield, S.T. Lee, Thomas Avant
2:00 p.m. – Emiliano Grillo, Rico Hoey, Takumi Kanaya
2:11 p.m. – S.H. Kim, Mac Meissner, Kristoffer Reitan
2:22 p.m. – Matthieu Pavon, Chad Ramey, Sam Stevens
2:33 p.m. – J.T. Poston, Davis Riley, Stephan Jaeger
2:44 p.m. – Andrew Novak, Harry Hall, Akshay Bhatia
2:55 p.m. – Brian Campbell, Aldrich Potgieter, Cam Davis
3:06 p.m. – Sami Valimaki, Garrick Higgo, Nico Echavarria
3:17 p.m. – Erik van Rooyen, Hank Lebioda, Johnny Keefer
3:28 p.m. – Jordan Smith, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Pontus Nyholm
3:39 p.m. – Austin Smotherman, John Parry, Christo Lamprecht
3:50 p.m. – Alejandro Tosti, Adrien Saddier, Jeffrey Kang

It’s worth noting that the 10:15 a.m. slot off the 10th tee is a major draw, featuring the world’s top player, Scottie Scheffler, alongside Jordan Spieth and Chris Gotterup. This is the group everyone will be watching to set the early pace.

Betting on the Action?

If you’re the type who likes to put a little something on the line, the WM Phoenix Open is always a hotbed for betting. For those looking to get in on the action, you might want to check out options like Fanatics Sportsbook. Just remember to gamble responsibly, folks. It’s all about the fun, not the headache.

What Makes the WMPO So Special?

This tournament isn’t just about the scores. It’s about the atmosphere. TPC Scottsdale is famous for its raucous crowds, especially around the iconic 16th hole stadium. It’s a party atmosphere unlike any other in professional golf. You get the serious competition from the world’s best players, but it’s all wrapped up in a unique, high-energy environment.The course itself, TPC Scottsdale, is a beast. It demands precision, especially when the desert winds pick up. The greens can be tricky, and the rough can be penalizing. For players like Scheffler, who are dialed in with their ball-striking and putting, it’s a perfect stage to showcase their dominance. For others, it’s a chance to prove they can handle the pressure cooker and pull off an upset.

Beyond the Big Names: Keep an Eye On…

While Scheffler is the man to watch, don’t sleep on the other talent. Guys like Viktor Hovland and Collin Morikawa in that 2:33 p.m. group off the first tee are always threats. And the late afternoon pairings are loaded with contenders. Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka together? That’s pure drama waiting to happen.Look at the Tee 10 list, too. You’ve got Sahith Theegala and Sam Burns, who are always exciting to watch. Tony Finau, a crowd favorite, is out there at 10:26 a.m. These are the players who can make a run and shake things up. The beauty of this tournament is that you never know who might catch fire.

Final Thoughts Before the First Tee Shot

So there you have it. The complete schedule for Thursday’s opening round of the 2026 WM Phoenix Open. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just looking for something to tune into, this is the information you need. Get ready for a day of thrilling golf, incredible shots, and maybe a little bit of that signature Phoenix Open madness. It’s going to be a wild ride. Make sure you’re tuned in.