Phoenix, Ariz. – The 83rd Arizona Open Championship presented by PING tees off at Papago Golf Club in Phoenix at 7 a.m. on Monday, August 3rd with a champion crowned around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5th. The 54-hole state open championship will have a field of 156 players made up of place-winners from the Arizona Open Championship qualifying events and those players exempt from qualifying.
Administered by the Southwest Section PGA, the Arizona Open Championship dates back to 1937 and has been held annually since 1953. Past champions include Johnny Bulla, Dale Douglas, Jim Carter and Curt Byrum. The 2026 Arizona Open Championship field includes defending champion Michael Herrera; former PGA TOUR professional and two-time Arizona Open champion Jim Carter; PGA TOUR Champions professional Rob Labritz; Grand Canyon University Assistant Golf Coach and PGA professional Jesse Mueller; and Papago Golf Club Head Golf Professional Zach Amsler.
“We are super excited to host this prestigious event once again,” said Papago Golf Club General Manager Daryl Crawford. “The Arizona Open brings one of the strongest championship fields with top amateurs and professionals competing.”
Papago Golf Club, normally a par 72 golf course, will play as a par 70 at 7,295 yards for the Arizona Open as the first and tenth holes will play as par 4s instead of par 5s. The William Bell-designed layout set against the Papago Buttes will once again test the top players with the course’s four par 3s averaging 228 yards, including the 250-yard 8th hole, and the 14th hole playing as a 520-yard par 4. Papago is hosting the Arizona Open Championship for the third straight year and for the third time in the course’s 66-year history.
Prize money will be paid to all competitors that make the 36-hole cut and complete the final round of play. Amateurs will receive payment in the form of merchandise gift certificates redeemable at Papago Golf Course.
For Arizona Open Championship tee times, live leaderboard and tournament information, visit https://swpga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/swpga27/event/swpga2776/contest/9/leaderboard.htm.
About Papago Golf Club
Owned by the City of Phoenix and managed by Troon, Papago Golf Club was named one of the “30 Best Municipal Golf Courses in America” by GOLF Magazine in 2021. The Club is located in the heart of Papago Park, surrounded by native desert landscape, the picturesque Papago Buttes and conveniently located less than two miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. Originally designed by William Francis (Billy) Bell in 1963, the challenging golf course has hosted numerous events including the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, Phoenix Open qualifying and an LPGA tournament. Papago is home to Arizona State University’s men’s and women’s golf teams, and the teams’ state-of-the-art, indoor/outdoor practice facility, the Thunderbirds Golf Complex. The 2018 additions of the mid-century modern inspired Lou Grubb Clubhouse (including neighborhood hot spot, Lou’s Bar & Grill) and Evie’s Pavilion event space, combined with the 2025 unveiling of the Arizona Golf House, have further accentuated Papago’s revitalization.
For more information on Papago Golf Club, visit www.papagogolfclub.com or call 602-275-8428.
About Troon
Headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., Troon is the world’s largest golf and golf-related hospitality management company providing services at 950-plus locations in 45-plus states and 40-plus countries, including operational responsibility for 575-plus 18-hole equivalent golf courses. In addition to golf, Troon specializes in homeowner association management, private residence clubs, estate management and associated hospitality venues. Troon’s award-winning food and beverage division operates and manages 600-plus food and beverage operations located at golf resorts, private clubs, daily fee golf courses and recreational facilities. Troon’s family of brands includes Troon Golf, Troon Privé, Troon International, Indigo Sports, CADDIEMASTER, ClubUp, Cliff Drysdale Tennis, True Club Solutions, RealFood Hospitality, Strategy & Design and RF DesignStudio, ICON Management and Eventive Sports. For additional news and information, visit www.Troon.com.
Media Contact:
Rob Myers
Troon
480.477.0506
rmyers@troon.com
