PGA Tour pro Joel Dahmen secured a sponsor exemption into the 2026 WM Phoenix Open by attaching his request letter to a golf polo shirt and delivering it in person. The creative move nods to his viral 2022 shirtless celebration at the event. Dahmen, a Scottsdale resident, expressed enthusiasm for competing in his hometown tournament.
Joel Dahmen, a 38-year-old PGA Tour professional, has faced challenges in recent seasons but started 2026 strongly with back-to-back made cuts, including a tied seventh at the Farmers Insurance Open. Despite this form, he lacked an automatic qualification for the upcoming WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. To stand out among exemption requests, Dahmen wrote a letter on a polo shirt and hand-delivered it to tournament sponsor WM, along with one of his signature bucket hats.
The gambit references a memorable 2022 incident during the tournament's final round, when Dahmen and fellow pro Harry Higgs removed their shirts on the rowdy par-3 16th hole after Higgs made a long par putt. The pair had joked about it on Twitter the night before, contingent on retweets, and the celebration drew beer showers from fans. Both players received reprimands from the PGA Tour but avoided fines.
In his letter to tournament director Chance Cozby and The Thunderbirds, Dahmen highlighted his deep connection to the event as a Scottsdale resident. 'This tournament has always meant more to me than a typical Tour stop – it’s home,' he wrote. He emphasized embracing the WM Phoenix Open's unique fan energy and atmosphere, adding, 'I can confidently say I plan to keep my shirt on at all times – unless directed otherwise by the Thunderbirds.' Dahmen confirmed the story on Instagram, posting a photo and writing, 'Yes, @coltknost was right. I put the letter on a polo and took to their office. Let’s have some fun next week!!!'
Dahmen's recent career has been turbulent: in 2024, he posted one top-10 and narrowly retained his Tour card; last season, despite a runner-up and three top-10s, he ended 93rd in the FedEx Cup standings and 122nd in the FedEx Fall, making him a conditional member this year. The 2026 WM Phoenix Open begins Thursday, February 5, at TPC Scottsdale.
