Phil Mickelson, a 42-time winner on the PGA TOUR and three-time champion of the Waste Management Phoenix Open Presented by The Ak-Chin Indian Community, is the latest to commit to “The Greatest Show on Grass”, set to tee it up February 1-7 at TPC Scottsdale. Additionally, Hideki Matsuyama, who finished tied for second in last year’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, also committed.

A field of 132 players will vie for the $6.5 million purse, the $1,170,000 first-place check and 500 FedExCup points.  

Mickelson currently ranks 34th in the Official World Golf Ranking and will be making his 27th appearance at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. He is the all-time tournament money winner with more than $3.7 million in winnings.

Matsuyama is coming off a fantastic 2015 campaign where he recorded six Top-5 finishes that included a fifth place outing at The Masters and his runner-up finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, where he lost by one shot to winner Brooks Koepka. Matsuyama currently ranks 15th in the Official World Golf Ranking.  

The field includes 12 players in the Top-50 of the Official World Golf Ranking, led by Bubba Watson who comes in at No. 4. Other top-ranked players to commit include Rickie Fowler (6), Matsuyama (15), Brooks Koepka (16), Kevin Kisner (17), Shane Lowry (21), Phil Mickelson (34), Robert Streb (39), Brandt Snedeker (47), Danny Lee (48), Scott Piercy (49) and Chris Kirk (50).

A total of five past champions are currently in the field, including Koepka (2015), Mickelson (2013, 2005, 1996), Kyle Stanley (2012), Mark Wilson (2011) and Hunter Mahan (2010).

The 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, known as “The Greatest Show on Grass” and the “People’s Major”™, will be held at TPC Scottsdale from February 1-7, 2016. The Waste Management Phoenix Open is the best-attended golf tournament in the world and has gained legendary status for being the most unique stop on the PGA TOUR. The 2016 edition will mark the 81st playing of the event (one of the five oldest events on the PGA TOUR) and the seventh as the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 250 “life” members. Last year The Thunderbirds raised a record $9.06 million for charity and have eclipsed $102 million in charitable giving since its inception. For more information on the Thunderbirds or the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open, call the Thunderbirds office at 602.870.0163 or visit www.wmphoenixopen.com.