'I Regretted It Almost Immediately' - Higgs Faces Possible Fine After Phoenix Celebration

The topless celebration between Higgs and Joel Dahmen may have landed the pair with a fine from the PGA Tour

Dahmen and Higgs celebrate
(Image credit: Getty Images)

At the Waste Management Phoenix Open, fans and viewers across the world were treated to an epic tournament. Whether it was the tense play-off that saw a maiden PGA Tour victory for Scottie Scheffler, or perhaps the two holes-in-one at the iconic 16th hole, there were so many incredible moments at TPC Scottsdale.

But, perhaps the moment that will be remembered the most, involved the American duo of Harry Higgs and Joel Dahmen who, after making a pair of pars at the 16th, decided to take their shirts off and celebrate with the 20,000 raucous individuals surrounding 'The Coliseum'.

Although the moment went viral over social media, with even the PGA Tour posting the videos over their social pages, it seems that the pair could be getting into trouble for their celebration, with Higgs stating: “I may be fined. I’ve heard whispers of both but nothing official yet.” 

“There was a phone call [from the Tour] and a, ‘Hey, you know you’re not supposed to do that,' continued the American. "I know I’m not supposed to do that. I’m 30 years old, I know I’m not supposed to lift my shirt up on national television in front of thousands of fans.”

Although both Higgs and Dahmen could receive a fine for their topless display, the duo have planned to make the most of any potential fine by creating a GoFundMe page, with the total being aimed towards charity.

Dahmen and Higgs celebrate

Higgs and Dahmen celebrate at the 16th

(Image credit: Getty Images)

“We may end up having some fun with it. If we are fined, and we deserve to be, we would pay our fine but kind of raise money to donate to charity,” he said. “I’m never going to do it ever again. I regretted it almost immediately."

With such a big marker laid down after the celebration, both Higgs and Dahmen will have to come up with a new celebration for next time they are at TPC Scottsdale: “I have to come up with something to do so I don’t get booed when I don’t take my shirt off,” laughed Higgs. “I'll have to get a little creative so I don’t take my shirt off.”

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x