SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Long the face of the Phoenix Open, Phil Mickelson is skipping the PGA Tour’s biggest party to play in Saudi Araba for a large appearance fee.

Young stars Jon Rahm and Justin Thomas are perfectly content at TPC Scottsdale for the rowdy tournament that opens Thursday.

“I’m excited to be back,” Thomas said. “This is a course that I enjoy. I feel like it sets up well for my game, if I can execute properly.”

Like Mickelson, Rahm starred at nearby Arizona State and has a big following in the area. The Super Bowl week stop in the desert is perennially the best-attended PGA Tour event of the year.

“If not the most, one of the most, one of the best atmospheres in golf,” Rahm said. “It’s unique. There’s nothing quite like it. You have more people in the pro-am day here than a lot of tournaments get all week. ... It’s just a fun event, great golf course, always in great shape, so I’m always looking forward to it, especially sleeping in my own bed.”

Rahm finished second last week at Torrey Pines.