Tommi Avant Set to Make PGA TOUR Debut at WM Phoenix Open

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - February 4, 2026 – Southwest PGA Member Tommi Avant will make his PGA TOUR debut this week at the WM Phoenix Open, held February 5-8 at TPC Scottsdale. Avant earned the Southwest PGA’s exemption into the field by capturing the 68th Southwest PGA Championship/PPC last September at Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix.

"To represent the Southwest PGA in the WM Phoenix Open is one of the main reasons I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and become a PGA Member," said Avant. "To live out my dream of playing in a PGA TOUR event while representing my fellow PGA Professionals here in the desert and across the country truly means the world to me."

Avant, PGA Assistant Golf Professional at Lone Tree Golf Club in Chandler, Ariz., claimed his first Section Championship title with rounds of 68-67-69 for a 54-hole total of 204 (-6). His victory was sealed with a dramatic 47-foot birdie putt on the final hole, finishing two strokes clear of Charlie Beljan and Marty Jertson.

The WM Phoenix Open marks Avant’s first career PGA TOUR start. He will tee off Thursday at 8:59 a.m. MT from the 10th tee and Friday at 1:39 p.m. MT from the 1st tee. For the opening two rounds, Avant will be paired with Davis Chatfield of Attleboro, Mass., and S.T. Lee of Korea.

"I can’t tell you how much it means to make my PGA TOUR debut in my backyard," Avant said. "I grew up attending the Phoenix Open, and my father competed in this event twice. It doesn’t get any better than this – you couldn’t write a better script."

Avant’s father, Greg Avant, PGA Director of Golf at Lone Tree Golf Club, previously earned the Southwest PGA’s exemption into the WM Phoenix Open in 2000 and 2002, including a 72-73 (+3) performance in 2002.

Despite battling injuries throughout the 2025 season, Avant enjoyed a strong year on the Southwest PGA circuit. His highlights included a victory in the PING Player Series at Alta Mesa Golf Club and a semifinal appearance at the 50th Southwest PGA Match Play Championship at Desert Forest Golf Club in Carefree, Ariz.

Avant finished fourth in the final Southwest PGA Player of the Year standings and sixth in the Assistant Player of the Year race.

Follow Avant’s progress throughout the week with the live leaderboard.