The biggest party on the PGA Tour is back with full a capacity of spectators at this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open. The atmosphere was subdued last year thanks to COVID and golfers didn’t have to worry about the raucous gallery at the legendary 16th hole at the TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course. That becomes an obstacle for the field this time around, as does world No. 1 and betting favorite Jon Rahm. Three of the top four golfers in the OWGR are set to tee it up with No. 3 Viktor Hovland and No. 4 Patrick Cantlay positioned with Rahm near the top of the odds board. And all three are featured prominently in matchups as is defending champ Brooks Koepka, who looks for his third title at this event. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of matchup betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Waste Management Phoenix Open Matchup Odds
Jon Rahm -165 vs. Justin Thomas +135
Jon Rahm -165 vs. Patrick Cantlay +135
Jon Rahm -190 vs. Viktor Hovland +155
Justin Thomas -110 vs. Patrick Cantlay -120
Justin Thomas -130 vs. Viktor Hovland +100
Patrick Cantlay -130 vs. Viktor Hovland +100
Hideki Matsuyama -115 vs. Xander Schauffele -115
Hideki Matsuyama -135 vs. Jordan Spieth +105
Hideki Matsuyama -130 vs. Scottie Scheffler +100
Xander Schauffele -130 vs. Jordan Spieth +100
Xander Schauffele -120 vs. Scottie Scheffler -110
Jordan Spieth -110 vs. Scottie Scheffler -120
Daniel Berger -135 vs. Tony Finau +105
Daniel Berger -125 vs. Sam Burns -105
Tony Finau -110 vs. Sam Burns -120
Bubba Watson -115 vs. Brooks Koepka -115
Bubba Watson -110 vs. Louis Oosthuizen -120
Brooks Koepka +100 vs. Louis Oosthuizen -130
Matthew Fitzpatrick -120 vs. Webb Simpson -110
Matthew Fitzpatrick -120 vs. Adam Scott -110
Webb Simpson -120 vs. Adam Scott -110
Seamus Power -110 vs. Russell Henley -120
Harris English +110 vs. Corey Conners -140
Abraham Ancer +100 vs. Talor Gooch -130
Harold Varner III -130 vs. Tom Hoge +100
Max Homa +100 vs. Luke List -130
Rickie Fowler -110 vs. Si Woo Kim -120
Kevin Kisner +100 vs. Joel Dahmen -130
Matt Kuchar -110 vs. Keegan Bradley -120
Keith Mitchell -120 vs. Alex Noren -110
Charles Howell III -120 vs. Adam Hadwin -110
Need to Know
Tournament host since 1987, the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale is one of the most popular stops on Tour. Outside of the stadium setting at No. 16, though, the layout is straightforward and bland. Stretched out to nearly 7,300 yards, the course plays to heavy hitters and we should see plenty of drivers this week, allowing most to attack the greens with precision iron shots. Along with altitude in the desert we’ve seen some generous scoring in the past with winners typically in the 14- to 18-under range. Weather is always something to consider in the desert. Morning frost makes for a slower track for those starting early. Surrounded by stands and with a party-like atmosphere in the gallery, the main attraction is the par-3 16th, which returns to pre-pandemic craziness.
Waste Management Phoenix Open Matchup Picks
Rickie Fowler -110 vs. Si Woo Kim
Given his recent struggles I thought Fowler would be offered at a better price. I guess oddsmakers are thinking like me, though. Course knowledge is the reason why I’m backing him in spite of the potential payout. And that’s probably why he’s priced where he is. Fowler won here in 2019, part of a run of three top-4s and four top-11s in a four-year span. Fowler also has a runner-up finish from 2010 on his resume. Some bettors will likely fade Fowler until he finds his game, but I’m counting on him doing that this week.
Harris English +110 vs. Corey Conners
Looking at the bigger picture English has played better of late, which is a good sign. He started the new season with MCs and withdrew from the CJ CUP, but he played well in unofficial events last December. He’s been boom or bust in this event with four top-20s and three MCs in his 10 starts. At plus odds with a decent run of form going, I have no problem backing English in this matchup.
Jordan Spieth +105 vs. Hideki Matsuyama
It was on this course last year that Spieth turned a corner. He carded career-low 61 on Saturday and was in position to win until a closing 72 dropped him to fourth. The result did start a run of strong finishes for Spieth, who nearly came back at Pebble Beach last week before settling for a runner-up finish. And he might feel like there’s some unfinished business after last year’s final round 72. He’s placed among the top-10 in three of his five WMPO starts and with his game in a good place and the odds favorable, I’ll throw down on the Texan.
Xander Schauffele -120 vs. Scottie Scheffler
You don’t have to win the tournament just finish better than your matchup partner. And Schauffele is good at coming close. He finished as runner-up three times last season and he’s 4 for 4 this season with a pair of top 20s. He’s also coming off a T18 at last week’s Saudi International. He’s been consistent enough to back in matchups, but he hasn’t been able to secure a victory in about two years. Oh, and he’s been decent in this event with four top-20s, including a runner-up finish last year, in four starts.
Brooks Koepka -115 vs. Bubba Watson
This place has special meaning for Koepka. He won the first of his eight PGA Tour titles here in 2015 and his last triumph was in the Arizona desert last year when he overcame a five-shot deficit with a final round 65 to seal the deal. He hasn’t been at the top of his game recently, but returning to comfortable surroundings should give him a spark.
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