Alex Bregman signed one of the richest contracts in Chicago Cubs’ history three weeks ago, and his first major public appearance as a member of the organization won’t happen at Wrigley Field. The Cubs’ new third baseman will switch swing paths Wednesday at the WM Phoenix Open, teeing off at TPC Scottsdale for the Annexus Pro-Am before spring training officially begins. Travis Kelce headlines the star list of NFL players joining the competition.
The Cubs locked up Bregman in January with a five-year, $175 million deal after he opted out of his contract with the Boston Red Sox. The three-time All-Star and World Series champion chose to wear No. 3 with Chicago, signaling his goal of winning a third championship. He brings Gold Glove defense and proven leadership to a franchise that posted 92 wins in 2025 but fell short of the postseason.
Wednesday’s pro-am at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course gives Cubs fans their first glimpse of the organization’s marquee offseason addition. WM Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman Jason Eisenberg announced Bregman’s commitment to the star-studded event, which pairs PGA TOUR professionals with accomplished athletes and entertainers. The timing positions Bregman’s golf outing as the unofficial kickoff to his Cubs career, coming weeks before pitchers and catchers report to Arizona.
Star Athletes Alex Bregman, Travis Kelce, Mookie Betts, Will Play at WM Phoenix Open Pro-Am
Bregman headlines a baseball-heavy field at the Annexus Pro-Am. Seattle Mariners‘ catcher Cal Raleigh committed to the event fresh off a historic 2025 season in which he crushed 60 home runs to lead all of Major League Baseball. The switch-hitting power threat shattered the single-season record for catchers, breaking Salvador Perez’s mark of 48, while driving in 125 runs and earning his first All-Star selection. Raleigh also won the 2025 Home Run Derby, becoming the first catcher to claim that title.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ star Mookie Betts rounds out the baseball contingent. The former American League MVP and World Series champion remains one of the game’s most dynamic players, collecting eight All-Star selections, six Gold Gloves, and seven Silver Sluggers throughout his career. Betts continues to excel both offensively and defensively for the Dodgers.
SNL Star and Office Icon Round Out Celebrity Field at Waste Management
Entertainment meets athletics at TPC Scottsdale with the addition of Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost. The Weekend Update co-anchor has served as one of comedy’s most recognizable voices since joining SNL as a writer in the early 2000s. Jost earned multiple Emmy Awards, Writers Guild Awards, and a Peabody Award during his tenure with the show.
Brian Baumgartner brings Hollywood star power to the pro-am as well. Best known for his role as Kevin Malone during The Office’s nine-season run, Baumgartner became a fan favorite on the NBC comedy. The avid golfer hosts and produces Off The Beat, a podcast featuring behind-the-scenes stories from Hollywood, and regularly participates in celebrity golf events.
The field also includes NFL stars Travis Kelce, Larry Fitzgerald, Trey McBride, Budda Baker, and Zaven Collins, Olympic legend Michael Phelps, soccer icon Carli Lloyd, NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith, country artist Zach Top, and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly.
Spring training facilities across Arizona will buzz with activity in the coming weeks, but Bregman’s Cubs era begins Wednesday on the fairways of Scottsdale. The pro-am serves as one of tournament week’s most anticipated events ahead of the main tournament starting Thursday.
MLB Star Alex Bregman, NFL’s Travis Kelce Make Surprising Switch This Week