Security lapse as fans rush into the TPC Scottsdale field at WM Phoenix Open

There was some wild action at TPC Scottsdale on the second day of the WM Phoenix Open. A streaker trespassed on the 16th hole and pole danced on the famous Par-3 16's flagstick before rushing to the tunnel to the 17th hole where he dived into the pond left of the 17th green. Eventually, security was successful in catching him.

He wore nothing but sneakers and sunglasses with "19th HOLE" written on his back, with an arrow pointing toward his posterior. The incident brought back memories of The 1995 Open Championship at St. Andrews where a certain streaker did something similar.

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Scottsdale officials dismiss claims of fans rushing the TPC Scottsdale field during WM Phoenix Open Day 2

Reports of fans rushing past the TPC Scottsdale field on Friday surfaced online

Some reports also claimed that fans stormed past security the TPC Scottdale field entrance at the WM Phoenix Open on Friday morning. However, Scottsdale Public Safety Officials and a PGA Tour event spokesperson dismissed the reports.

“There were reports this morning that there were possibly stormings at the gates, but that’s not true. I can tell you that it’s very controlled, very safe.” Sgt. Kevin Quon, spokesperson for the Scottsdale police said in a Friday morning livestream, posted to the department’s Facebook page.

Earlier, ABC 15 reporter Jamie Warren posted a video on Twitter with several people rushing to the gates.

“Trying to figure out what happened. About a thousand people waiting outside #WMPhoenixOpen just ran through gates. Security said gates weren’t set to open until 7. Some are saying a supervisor gave permission to open early,” read a Tweet by Jamie Warren.

Quon’s live stream video showed the part of the course with no people, explaining that no one was permitted early entry.

“As you can tell, there is no one on the course yet, so there is no crowd-storming,” Quon said in the video.

An email sent to The Arizona Republic by Scottsdale Police Department spokesperson Officer Aaron Bolin read that fans are allowed to queue early but gates remain closed til 7 am.

“Fans lining up and running to the general admission seating areas at Hole 16 has been a long-standing tradition at the WM Phoenix Open. We work closely with the PGA, Waste Management, and security teams to ensure this fun tradition is done as safely as possible,” Bolin’s email read.

The Scottsdale Fire Department also refuted the claims that there was a security lapse.

"It was reported there was no security on course and fans ran onto the course. This is not the case. We will allow them on the course when gates open at 7am. We have planned for a year to stagger the crowds. #WMPhoenixOpen," their tweet read.

WM Phoenix’s communication director, Ryan Woodcock, explained to The Arizona Republic that fans are usually in higher numbers on weekends but they only get to enter after 7 am before going through a security check. He said that it makes things smoother so that everyone is not in a hurry.

Woodcock explained that those were small groups of people who were most likely unaware that they needed to go through another security check before entering inside. He added that they would have been stopped at another point before getting in.