n one of the most memorable and unconventional sponsor exemption requests in recent memory, Joel Dahmen secured a spot in the Waste Management Phoenix Open with a creative appeal that had fans and fellow pros talking.
Rather than a formal letter on stationery, Dahmen’s request was taped to a polo shirt – a quirky and humorous nod to when he and Harry Higgs took their shirts off on the 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale in 2022. The unique letter stunt paid off in spectacular fashion when tournament officials granted the exemption.
“Yes, @coltknost was right. I put the letter on a polo and took it to their office,” Dahmen said on his Instagram story. “Let’s have some fun.”
A Different Kind of Letter That Worked
While traditional sponsor exemption requests are brief but serious letters outlining a player’s resume and reasons they should be included, Dahmen flipped the script a bit.
“This tournament has always meant more to me than a typical tour stop; It’s home,” Dahmen said in his letter. “Over the years, I’ve tried to embrace what makes the WM different. The fans, the atmosphere, and the understanding that personality is part of the product. I like to think I contributed positively to that identity and helped showcase why this tournament stands apart on the schedule.
“And, for clarity, if granted an exemption in 2026, I can confidently say I plan to keep my shirt on at all times – unless directed otherwise by the Thunderbirds [tournament host].”
With that, and his top-10 finish at the Farmers Insurance Open, Dahmen will tee it up at the Phoenix Open (Feb. 2-8) via sponsor exemption, while also locking up a spot in the Cognizant Classic at PGA National from Feb. 25-March 1.
The Shirts-Off Moment That Became Phoenix Open Lore
Ahead of the Phoenix Open‘s final round in 2022, Dahmen learned he’d be paired with fellow fan favorite Higgs, and that immediately sparked excitement. Dahmen took to social media to rally the famously rowdy Scottsdale crowd, posting that if the tweet got enough traction, Higgs would take his shirt off on the tournament’s iconic par-3 16th hole.
The internet did its thing, and Dahmen and Higgs delivered. Early Sunday afternoon at TPC Scottsdale, Higgs rolled in a clutch 10-foot par putt after missing the green on No. 16. Just as the ball was dropping into the hole, his shirt was already lifted up, igniting a roar from the grandstands. Moments later, Dahmen followed suit, taking his shirt off completely and swinging it around like a helicopter, turning one of golf’s most electric amphitheaters into a full-blown party. It was spontaneous, ridiculous, and perfectly on brand – a moment that could only happen at the Phoenix Open.
For Higgs, the moment cemented his rise as one of golf’s most recognizable personalities. Fresh off a breakthrough stretch that included a T-4 finish at the 2021 PGA Championship, Higgs became a viral star almost overnight, embraced by fans for his authenticity and willingness to lean into the fun side of the sport. For Dahmen, it was another reminder of why he’s one of the Tour’s most beloved figures. He’s a player unafraid to blend competitiveness with humor, and someone tournament organizers know brings energy wherever he goes.
Other Exemptions
The sponsor exemptions at the WM Phoenix Open bring together three very different, but equally fitting, storylines for one of the Tour’s most personality-driven events. Besides Dahmen, Sahith Theegala also earns an exemption as he continues a bounce-back season, looking to build on steady early results after a difficult 2025 campaign.
Rounding out the group is Charley Hoffman, a longtime Waste Management partner who returns to a venue where he nearly claimed the title in 2024, losing in a playoff to Nick Taylor after posting back-to-back weekend 64s.
Joel Dahmen Uses Humor and Creativity to Earn Phoenix Open Exemption