While most of the midwest and eastern states are suffering through a weather episode known as a polar vortex, the PGA Tour will tee it up in perfect weather this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Always a popular stop on the tour the event typically attracts a strong field, and this year is no different. Gary Woodland is back to defend his title on the TPC Scottsdale layout, as is Hideki Matsuyama, who pulled out of last year’s playing with an injury, ending his chance at a three-peat.
For the third straight tournament Jon Rahm is the betting favorite. He comes in at +605 on the odds board at BookMaker.eu. Justin Thomas is the second favorite at +725. Phil Mickelson returns after sitting out last week’s Farmers Insurance Open and he should be well rested as he attempts to become the first four-time winner of the Phoenix Open.
Golf Betting at BookMaker.eu
Odds to Win Waste Management Phoenix Open at BookMaker.eu
Jon Rahm +605
Justin Thomas +725
Hideki Matsuyama +885
Tony Finau +1650
Rickie Fowler +1775
Gary Woodland +1775
Xander Schauffele +1775
Phil Mickelson +2050
Webb Simpson +2250
Matt Kuchar +3050
Cameron Smith +3555
Adam Hadwin +4525
Bubba Watson +4750
Billy Horschel +5050
Cameron Champ +5525
Byeong Hun An +5850
Daniel Berger +6555
Chez Reavie +6875
Keegan Bradley +7000
Andrew Putnam +7475
Emiliano Grillo +7750
Brandt Snedeker +8000
Alex Noren +8455
Abraham Ancer +8500
Luke List +9350
Zach Johnson +9500
Ryan Palmer +9500
Martin Laird +9500
Lucas Glover +9500
Tyrrell Hatton +9800
Brendan Steele +10000
Aaron Wise +10500
Kevin Tway +10500
Ryan Moore +11000
Scott Piercy +11500
Sungjae Im +11500
Kyle Stanley +11500
Si Woo Kim +11500
Beau Hossler +11500
Jason Kokrak +11500
J.J. Spaun +11500
Martin Kaymer +11500
Austin Cook +12000
Patton Kizzire +12000
J.B. Holmes +12000
Field +350
Odds Analysis
Phil Mickelson +2050
Lefty showed us at the Desert Classic that you don’t need a number of events to chisel off the rust. He hadn’t competed in some time and was among the leaders throughout, eventually falling by a shot on the last day. Still, it was an impressive return for Mickelson and he makes the events on the beginning of the year swing through California and Arizona a priority on his schedule, and having won here three times in the past puts him in good company. Lefty has played TPC Scottsdale plenty during his career and holds the best tournament score when he carded a 28-under 256 in 2013.
Hideki Matsuyama +885
The only player to have a better three-year stretch at the Phoenix Open was Arnold Palmer, who won consecutively from 1961 to 1963. Matsuyama claimed a runner-up finish with two others in 2015 before winning in a playoff in 2016 and again in 2017. His bid for a third straight win ended last year when he withdrew with a wrist injury. Some early season rough spots were ironed out with a T3 last week at Torrey Pines setting Matsuyama up for strong week.
Matt Kuchar +3050
A bit of a renaissance for the veteran, who will be making his first start since lapping the field at the Sony Open. Kuchar scored two rounds of 66 and two of 63 at Waialae to win by four shots for his second victory of the season. He also captured the Mayakoba Classic in November by scoring 69 or better in all four rounds. He’s been top 20 in his last four outings and is perfect in six starts in the desert with three top-10s and a scoring average of 68.75.
Martin Laird +9500
It might be too much to ask Laird to pull off the upset, but we saw it a few weeks ago at the Desert Classic when Adam Long turned the trick. Several in the field have local ties and Laird is among them, treating TPC Scottsdale like a home game. He’s 7 for 8 since 2011 with four top-10s and his combination of distance off the tee and accurate approach shots is the perfect recipe for success. A little confidence boost is all Laird needs to make a legitimate run for a huge payday.
Course: TPC Scottsdale – 7,261 yards, Par 71
TPC Scottsdale has hosted the event since 1987 and it is one of the most popular stops on Tour. The course plays just under 7,300 yards and given some altitude in the desert, it typically scores well. Those conditions are ripe for the heavy hitters and we’ll see plenty of drivers this week, allowing players to attack the greens. Early tee times are at a disadvantage given the moisture on the course. When the track dries out players can attack the fairways getting lengthy rolls. The greens are also much easier to navigate when free of dew in the late morning and later. The par-3 16th is the signature hole on the layout, surrounded by stands and a raucous gallery.
TV Coverage: Golf Channel, NBC
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