PHOENIX — It's almost time once again for the "People's Open."
The 2024 WM Phoenix Open is just a couple of weeks away and fans are getting excited for another great event.
While many will head to the TPC Scottsdale to watch some of the best PGA Tour players compete during the four-day tournament, some are also excited to see some of the celebrities and athletes playing in the Annexus Pro-Am.
This year's pro-am will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at TPC Scottsdale.
So who's playing in this year's pro-am?
Player commitments for the Annexus Pro-Am are starting to roll in. And the first two commitments are Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith and Olympic soccer star Carli Lloyd.
Larry Fitzgerald Jr.: The legendary former Arizona Cardinals wide receiver is hitting the links once again. Fitzgerald played 17 seasons in the NFL – all with the Arizona Cardinals. He was one of the most productive and consistent wide receivers in the league throughout his career.
Carli Lloyd: She is a decorated soccer player, earning two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012. She also earned two FIFA Women’s World Cup victories in 2015 and 2019, along with dual FIFA Player of the Year titles in 2015 and 2016. 2024 will be Lloyd's second appearance at the "People's Open."
Nick Saban: Another iconic football personality, the recently-retired college football coach is making his way to Scottsdale for the pro-am. Saban recently served as the head football coach at the University of Alabama from 2007 to 2023. He also coached in the National Football League with the Miami Dolphins and at three other universities – Louisiana State University, Michigan State University, and the University of Toledo. He amassed seven national titles as a head coach, the most in college football history.
Emmitt Smith: His career NFL career spanned 13 years with the Dallas Cowboys and two years with the Arizona Cardinals. Smith retired in 2004 as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher (18,335 yards), a record that still holds today. He has golfed in the Annexus Pro-Am five times, appearing previously in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Jonathan Gannon: The Arizona Cardinals head coach, who just wrapped up his first season in the desert, will be grabbing his golf clubs for his first appearance in the Annexus Pro-Am at the WM Phoenix Open. Gannon has been playing golf for years and even tried out for his high school golf team in Ohio. The Pro-Am comes just a week before the anniversary of Gannon being hired by the Cardinals after leading the Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl. Gannon led the Cardinals to a 4-13 record in his first season as head coach.
Alex Rodriguez: The three-time MLB MVP is back for another appearance at the "Greatest Show on Grass." A-Rod is making his second appearance in the Pro-Am after debuting last year. Rodriguez played 22 seasons in MLB for the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and New York Yankees. He is also a part owner of the NBA's Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA's Minnesota Lynx and is part of the broadcast team for MLB games on FOX.
Adrián Beltré: The brand new Baseball Hall of Famer is making his debut at TPC Scottsdale. Beltré was voted into the Hall of Fame in the Class of 2024 along with Colorado Rockies first baseman Todd Helton and Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer in January. Beltré, who hails from the Dominican Republic, played in the Majors for 21 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers. During his career, Beltré was a four-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glove Award winner and four-time Silver Slugger. He hit 477 home runs during his career.
Zac Gallen: The ace of the Arizona Diamondbacks will be playing in the Annexus Pro-Am for the second time, as he also played in 2021. Gallen is fresh off of a season that saw him finish third in National League Cy Young voting, as he went 17-9 in 34 starts during the regular season with a 3.47 ERA and 220 strikeouts. Gallen played a key role in helping the D-backs advance to their first World Series since 2001, striking out 24 batters 33 and 2/3 innings during the playoffs. Gallen also played in the Pro-Am at the 2023 Charles Schwab Cup Championship at the Phoenix Country Club in November.
Merrill Kelly: The D-backs co-ace will also be headed out to TPC Scottsdale. Former Sun Devil Merrill Kelly will be playing in the Pro-Am for the first time. Kelly started 30 games for Arizona in the 2023 regular season going 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA. He struck out 187 batters in 177 and 2/3 innings. Kelly played a huge role for the D-backs in the playoffs, going 3-1 and striking out 28 batters. Kelly also played in the Pro-Am at the 2023 Charles Schwab Cup Championship at the Phoenix Country Club in November.
Torey Lovullo: The D-backs manager will be playing in the Annexus Pro-Am for the third time (2019, 2020). The 2017 National League Manager of the Year is heading into his eighth season leading the D-backs and his first NL Pennant as a manager. He finished in fourth place in Manager of the Year voting this past season after leading the D-backs to a 84-78 regular season record and second-place finish in the NL West.
Jake Owen: The country music star is back at "The People's Open" for the third time (2015, 2019). Owen says he became a musician after an injury derailed his dreams of playing golf professionally and he was even on the golf team at Florida State University. Owen won the Academy of Country Music Award for New Male Artist of the Year in 2008 and the American Country Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2012.
HARDY: The country music singer and songwriter who came to prominence after writing hits like Florida Georgia Line's "Simple" and Morgan Wallen's "Up Down." The 33-year-old, whose real name is Michael Hardy, has also written songs for Blake Shelton and Thomas Rhett. HARDY released his first EP in 2018 and his first album in 2020. His latest album, 'The Mockingbird & the Crow" was released in Jan. 2023. He is known for hits like "One Beer" and "Wait in the Truck" and will cap off his Wednesday by headlining the first night at the Coors Night Birds Nest.
Kygo: The Norwegian DJ will headline the final night at the Coors Light Birds Nest on Saturday, but will start his week by playing the Pro-Am on Wednesday. The six-time Billboard Music Award nominee is known for hits "It Ain't Me," "Stole the Show," and "Higher Love."
Michael Phelps: The most decorated Olympian of all-time, who lives in the Valley and recently welcomed his fourth child with his wife, Nicole Johnson, will be back at the Annexus Pro-Am for the eighth time (2013, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023). Phelps won 28 Olympic medals during his swimming career, including 23 golds, which is the most all-time. He has been named the World Swimmer of the Year eight times and won the American Swimmer of the Year award 11 times. He was also named the Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated twice.
Nate Bargatze: The comedian, who is known for his references to his family and stories about his life, will be playing in the Annexus Pro-Am for the first time. He is a Grammy nominee and hosted Saturday Night Live on 12News in October. Bargatze is from Nashville, Tennessee and is known as "The Nicest Man in Stand-Up." He has also appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" on 12News more than 10 times.
Glenn Powell: The actor, known for his roles in "Hidden Figures" and "Top Gun: Maverick" will be hitting the links at TPC Scottsdale. Originally from Austin, Texas, his acting career began in 2012 with a small role in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight Rises." He stars along side Sydney Sweeney in the movie "Anyone But You" that was released in December. Powell earned a People's Choice Award nomination for Comedy Movie Star of the Year for his role in "Anyone But You." The People's Choice Awards will be on Sun. Feb. 18 on 12News.
Dylan Dreyer: "Today" co-host and meteorologist Dylan Dreyer will also be at TPC Scottsdale on Wednesday. Dreyer has been with NBC News since 2012 and has also contributed to NBC's Olympics coverage. Dreyer also played in the Pro-Am in 2018.
We will be sure to monitor for future commitments and will update this list accordingly.
Tee times, the complete list of celebrities playing and which PGA players the celebs will be paired will be announced on Tuesday. The tee times will be between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday.
For tickets to the event and other information, visit the official event website.
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