SCOTTSDALE – The field of competitors at the 2026 Waste Management Open has just gained some new star power as three major names have agreed to play at TPC Scottsdale.
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FIELD UPDATE 🚨 Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland and Tony Finau are TPC Scottsdale bound.
More info: https://t.co/Zzj3bZMtQ0 pic.twitter.com/n8KWGNCHxf
— WM Phoenix Open (@WMPhoenixOpen) January 21, 2026
The Waste Management Open has never lacked attention. What it occasionally lacks is a guarantee that the loudest week on the PGA Tour would also feature the deepest competition. That changed the moment Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, and Tony Finau committed to the 2026 field.
Sep 28, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA;Team USA’s Schauffele hits his tee shot on the 1st hole during the singles on the final day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Mcdermid-Reuters via Imagn Images
This isn’t just star power; it’s fit. Xander Schauffele’s precision off the tee and elite scoring on par-4s translate perfectly to TPC Scottsdale’s demand for controlled aggression. Viktor Hovland, statistically one of the best iron players of his generation, thrives on courses that reward bold approach play. Tony Finau, a veteran and a longtime fan favorite in the Valley, brings length, patience, and a history of excelling on desert tracks.
Sep 26, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Team Europe golfer Hovland putts on the second green on the first day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images
For Golf fans, this matters on two levels. Locally, Phoenix gets validation as the WMO is no longer just the Tour’s loudest party, but is becoming a must-play stop for the game’s elite. Nationally, it signals a broader shift as top players are embracing environments that test not just skill, but composure under chaos.
Aug 8, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Finau plays his shot from the seventh tee during the second round of the FedEx St. Jude Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
When elite talent commits early, tournaments evolve. This years Waste Management Open isn’t just about who shows up; it’s about what kind of tournament it’s evolving into.
The iconic 16th hole goes even bigger for 2026 Waste Management Open
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
