Waste Management Phoenix Open Preview: PGA Party Continues

February 2 2011 Last updated at 01:20 PM ET

The PGA Tour is enjoying a nice little run right now.

This week's Waste Management Phoenix Open could very well keep it going.

Two weeks ago the Bob Hope Classic produced a feel-good story: Venezuela native Jhonattan Vegas, who first learned the game hitting rocks, brought a big smile and excitement. It was followed by last week's popular win by Bubba Watson, in an exciting dual with Phil Mickelson.

Now, it's time to party.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open is loud, wacky and usually pretty interesting. The tournament traditionally draws the largest galleries in golf with a week-long attendance of some 500,000 attending what is called "a golf tournament wrapped in a social event."

Mickelson, No. 4, is the only player among the world's top 10 in the field, but other headliners will include Dustin Johnson, defending champ Hunter Mahan (pictured) and last week's Farmers Open winner Watson.

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Well That's Interesting

A seven-ton Waste Management logo is floating in the lake at the 18th hole. It stands 120 feet high and is filled with 140,000 used golf balls collected from water hazards around the state. After the week is over, many will go to the First Tee of Phoenix program for kids and the rest will be recycled.

Flashback

The Cowboys had a shootout.

Hunter Mahan and Rickie Fowler, are both former Oklahoma State Cowboys. So they have that much in common.

After that, not much. Except they went toe-to-toe last year before Mahan finally claimed a one-shot victory.

Mahan is quiet, reserved and mostly unassuming. Fowler, last season's rookie of the year, is an electric personality, dressed in neon-bright outfits and distinctive by his shaggy hair and rock star-like following.

Last year the quiet guy got the final word.

Mahan had an eagle and a pair of birdies in a late four-hole span to finish for a final-round 67 and 16-under finish.

Fowler had a final-round 68 for the second runner-up finish of his blooming career.

At the open desert course's final par 5, the 15th, Fowler chose to play a safe lay-up shot rather than swing for the green. Trailing by just one stroke, he liked his chances for birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 and didn't want to risk missing the green and ending in the drink on 15.

"I felt that instead of bringing trouble into play," Fowler said, " ... I took the safe route."

Party Central

"It was just craziness out there. I don't know how else to put it. It was a lot of fun to be a part of. I'm glad I made par and got out of there before I got booed too bad."
-- Brandt Snedeker The 16th hole at Phoenix is the closest thing golf can get to studio wresting.

The par-3 is surrounded by bleachers and golfers are subject to chants, cheers and jeers.

Yes, alcohol is involved.

In past years, many in the crowd attend in matching shirts that read "Wasted Management Phoenix Open."

"It was just craziness out there," Brandt Snedeker said of last year. "I don't know how else to put it. It was a lot of fun to be a part of. I'm glad I made par and got out of there before I got booed too bad."

So it's fun. But in limited doses.

"We need people out here having fun, being excited about being at a golf tournament. If you can't take it for one hole, good God, get over yourself and have some fun."

Just not every week.

"It would be a little different," Snedeker added. "About one hole is all I can handle."

And Our Winner Is ...

Rickie Fowler.

He came close last year and the second-year star is too good to still be without a win. He's due.

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