Super Bowl LVII and PGA Tour’s WM Phoenix Open mark ‘huge’ sporting double-header for the city | Golf News
The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles at State Farm Stadium in Super Bowl LVII. The PGA Tour’s World Championship Phoenix Open is also taking place this week on the outskirts of Phoenix, Arizona. Follow both events live on Sky Sports
14:22, United Kingdom, Thursday 09 February 2023
What happens when you move one of the biggest sporting events to the same city and same week as the busiest golf tournament? We’re about to find out!
The NFL season reaches its climax this week as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. live on Sky Sportsto a sold out audience at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
The stadium is less than 10 miles from downtown Phoenix, while across town, 18 of the world’s top 20 golfers and the PGA Tour’s biggest stars play at the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
A record 719,179 fans passed through the turnstiles during the 2018 tournament week, including a staggering 216,818 for Saturday’s third round – the largest single-day attendance in PGA Tour history – and crowds are again expected for a special sports week in Phoenix .
The Super Bowl has previously taken place at the same venue in 2008 and 2015, and World No. 1 Rory McIlroy was keen to see for himself the impact the game was having on the atmosphere at one of the busiest events on the PGA Tour schedule has.
“It’s amazing,” said McIlroy about the prospect of a sporting double victory. “I mean having two of these big events in the same city on the same weekend is going to be really interesting.
“I have a feeling Saturday is going to be a huge day here in terms of the numbers and everything and it’s going to be interesting to see how Sunday is when people obviously want to come to the Super Bowl.
“This stadium can only accommodate a certain number of people, while this golf course obviously has a lot more space. Hopefully Sunday doesn’t feel too much calmer than Saturday.”
An iconic feature of the par-71 layout is the par-3 16th, nicknamed the Stadium Hole for its huge grandstands and frequently referred to as “the loudest hole in golf”. with Patrick Cantlay, last year’s runner-up, was excited to see how loud the reception would be at this year’s competition.
“I think Saturday should be busier than last year’s Saturday, but actually I think Sunday should be a little more relaxed than last Sunday,” Cantlay said. “I spoke to someone who was here the last time the Super Bowl was here and Sunday was very quiet compared to usual.”
Who are the golfers supporting in the Super Bowl?
World No. 3 Jon Rahm is aiming for a fifth win in eight global starts after finishing outside the top-10 just once since The Open in July, with the Spaniard, who lives in Arizona, having a vested interest in the exit of the Super Bowl on Sunday.
“Very few sporting events in the world can easily happen in the same week as the Super Bowl and still have the impact they have like this one,” Rahm said in his pre-tournament press conference.
“It’s hard to make a prediction for a game. It’s like a round of golf; everyone can show up and play well. Of course, if the Eagles maintain their form, they’d be tough to beat, but it’s just a tough bet against Patrick Mahomes. It’s really hard to compete against him, so I don’t know.
“I’m not confident enough to make a prediction. I’ve played golf with Patrick and Travis Kelce and just because I’ve spent some time with them I’d love to see them win, but yeah I’m not confident enough to make a prediction on that!”
Seven-time PGA Tour winner Xander Schauffele is also interested in Sunday’s NFL season finale but admits he doesn’t care which team wins the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
“I have no skin in the game,” said Schauffele. “I’d probably bet on the Chiefs if I had to place a bet. I’m just hoping for a close game.
“I would like to see a game win there in the fourth quarter. I think that would be really entertaining for selfish reasons, but I’m sure the fans on either side would love a blowout after the second quarter.”
Who is playing the halftime show and when?
Rihanna will perform at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, marking her first return to the stage in over five years since touring in 2017 following the release of her 2016 album Anti.
The performance begins Monday morning at around 1:15 a.m. after the first half wraps in Arizona, and she has hinted that her 12-minute set may well feature some special guests on stage.
Last year’s halftime show was hosted by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J Blige and Kendrick Lamar, along with a surprise cameo from 50 Cent. Notable artists of the past include the Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Beyonce and Katy Perry.
How can I view both events?
The World Championships Phoenix Open can be seen live on Sky Sports Golf (channel 405) all week long with early coverage from 3pm on Thursday and Friday, 5pm on Saturday and 4.30pm for the finals on Sunday .
Super Bowl LVII between the Chiefs and the Eagles will be broadcast live on Sky Sports NFL (407) and Sky Sports Main Event (401) on Sunday, with coverage beginning at 10:00 p.m. before kick-off at 11:30 p.m.