The Waste Management Phoenix Open is truly like no other event on the PGA calendar. Golfers arrive knowing that they’ll be playing in front of an enormous and unusually rowdy crowd. But they also have to deal with all the obstacles that come with golf in the middle of the desert.
Like, I’ve been there when a bobcat was seen running around the course at TPC Scottsdale during play. It was wild. But I don’t think I’ve seen a golfer hurt himself on a cactus until today, but to his credit, even Xander Schauffele admitted it was a mistake.
On the par-4 6th, Schauffele found himself in a bit of trouble with a patch of cacti somewhat obstructing his shot. And because part of that cactus wasn’t fixed into the ground — it was a “loose impediment” — he was allowed to move it.
"Seemed like a good idea at the time." 😂
Xander Schauffele moved a cactus out of the way and immediately regretted it 🌵 pic.twitter.com/LBFlJewukL
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) February 10, 2022
He regretted that almost right away.
Schauffele went with his bare hands to move the cactus, and those sharp spines got his finger. Schauffele could have asked his caddie for help, used a towel or even a club to move the cactus. Going for it barehanded was bold. And after picking out the spines from his finger, he joked, “Seemed like a good idea at the time.”
Rookie mistake.
Despite getting pricked there, Schauffele would manage to save par on the hole. He finished four-under for the day.
