The PGA Tour returns to the annual site of its biggest party, the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. While it’s an unremarkable course, the 16th hole as become one of the most compelling par 3s on Tour for the drama provided by thousands of fans seated around the entire hole.
Here’s who we like this week in Phoenix:
Hideki Matsuyama $17
He is arguably the best bet this week, given he has the credentials at TPC Scottsdale but is better value than the overall favourite, world No.1 Jon Rahm. In-form Matsuyama, who won the Sony Open in Hawaii last month and the Zozo in his native Japan earlier this season, is a two-time winner of the Phoenix Open (2016, 2017). At $17 he is a good bet.
Jon Rahm $8
Rahm went to college here at the Arizona State University so he feels at home, especially given he finished T5 as an amateur at the 2015 event. Rahm has two other top 10s here but he’s now an in-form world No.1.
Jordan Spieth $17
Spieth is due to win at any moment. The excitement machine came close to winning at Pebble Beach last week and finished second. Spieth also shared the Phoenix Open lead after three rounds last year but finished tied fourth.
Dark Horse: Webb Simpson $34
Simpson has a couple favourite venues on the PGA Tour, like Hilton Head for the RBC Heritage tournament, and Phoenix is another. He won the event in 2020, lost in a playoff in 2017 and he has five top 10s and seven top 20s from his last nine trips.
Top Aussie: Adam Scott $51
Scotty is rounding into form and his decision to start his year in the Middle east paid dividends with a pair of top 10s in Abu Dhabi and Dubai setting him up play in the US. Look for him to contend this week at Phoenix and $51 to win is good value.
