Field Set for the 81st Arizona Open Championship

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – July 25, 2024 – The 81st edition of the Arizona Open Championship presented by PING features one of the strongest fields assembled in the modern era of the Championship. After being held the past two years at Mesa Country Club, historic Papago Golf Club in Phoenix, now hosts the state championship with the 156 players beginning their quest for the prestigious title on Monday, July 29.

Among the five past champions competing is 2022 winner Nicolo Galletti, who this past February, qualified for his first PGA TOUR event, the WM Phoenix Open. Galletti made the cut and finished 73rd in the tournament.

“I’m really excited to compete in Arizona Open, especially as a past champion,” said Galletti. “Playing as a past champion is always great in any tournament but it means a little more because it’s the Arizona Open. The Championship always has a great field and is one of the best Opens in the country. Being a former Sun Devil, this year will be fun being hosted at Papago, which is the new home course for ASU Golf.”

Charlie Beljan, from Mesa, Ariz., won the Championship in 2019, becoming one of only two players to win both the Arizona Open and the Arizona Amateur. A former winner on the PGA TOUR, Beljan begins his quest for another title on Monday at 1:05 p.m. off the 1st tee.

“The Arizona Open is the one event I can't wait to mark off on my calendar each year,” said Beljan. “The Arizona Open hosts some of the best golfers in the state and the country. Being an Arizona native this is a major championship for me and one that I'm desperately trying to win again. The Southwest PGA does an amazing job administering and growing the purse making it one of the most prestigious state championships in the United States."

Southwest PGA Professional Jesse Mueller enters the Arizona Open currently second behind Marty Jertson in the Southwest PGA Player of the Year point standings. Mueller finished tied for third in last year’s Arizona Open with rounds of 71-66-63. In February, he made history as the first Southwest PGA Professional since 2005 to make the 36-hole cut in the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. Mueller also competed in the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. In 2023, he captured his fourth consecutive Southwest PGA Player of the Year honor, the fourth best in Section history.

Jertson, PGA Vice President of Fitting & Performance for PING, recently won his first Southwest PGA Match Play title. Through the first two majors of the 2024 season, he has a runner-up finish in the Spring Masters Championship and the Match Play victory. Jertson finished tied for 22nd in last year’s Arizona Open, with his best finish being a tie for fourth in 2005 at Troon Country Club.

Opened in 1963, Papago Golf Course has hosted numerous USGA events, including the 1971 US Amateur Public Links Championship. The course underwent renovations in 2008 to modernize its facilities. Today, Papago serves as the home course for Arizona State University’s men's and women's golf teams.

The starting field contains 55 amateurs and five past champions that include: Galletti, Beljan, Jhared Hack (2021), Craig Hocknull (2013) and Jake Younan (2018).

A pair of 15-year-old amateurs qualified for the Championship at McCormick Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale. Asher Nelson and Arjun Somani, both from Scottsdale, finished the qualifier at 1-under par, earning their spots in the Arizona Open. Both are the youngest competitors in the field and amongst the youngest to ever compete in the Championship.

The first and second rounds will be held Monday and Tuesday, July 29 and 30, respectively, starting at 7:00 a.m. off Nos. 1 and 10. Following 36 holes of play, the field will be cut to the low 50 scorers plus ties for the final round on Wednesday, July 31.

PING Golf is the presenting sponsor of the 81st Arizona Open Championship. Their support helped raise this year’s purse to the highest level since 2008.

Round 1 Groupings & Starting Times   |   Leaderboard

About The Arizona Open Championship:
The Arizona Open Championship is a 54-hole, state open golf tournament open to both professional and amateur golfers nationwide. Administered by the Southwest PGA, the Arizona Open and has roots dating back to the inaugural event held in 1937. This historical championship has been held annually since 1953 and boasts an impressive list of past champions including Johnny Bulla, Dale Douglas and Curt Byrum. Place-winners from qualifying events conducted throughout the month of July, along with those players exempt from qualifying, finalized the Championship field of 156 competitors.