The PGA Tour is beginning to warm up and its not just the weather as we look forward to the Phoenix Open this week at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
TPC Scottsdale is a venue just as well known in the golfing world as Old Trafford is in the footballing world.
This stunning par 71, desert layout will be playing 7,261 yds and the key attribute this week will be power and accuracy around this fairly straight-forward test.
The 132 field (top 65 make the cut) will all be competing for a share of the $8.2m prize purse with the winner collecting the title and $1.3m.
Brooks Koepka returns to defend his title when beating Xander Schauffele and K.H. Lee by only a single shot at last year’s event.
The weather is forecast to be sunny & warm from start to finish with no breezes to contend with.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf & Sky Sports Main Event with live coverage starting at 2pm GMT on Thursday.
Last week we were still knocking on the door, Patrick Cantlay could only manage 4th at AT&T Pebble Beach while Cameron Smith was also 4th at the Saudi International. It’s still each-way returns and I was also pleased to see my first ever 5pts Nap land but maybe not so pleased in the manner it happened.
I knew Bryson was struggling with a wrist injury so I advised Thomas Pieters to get the better of De Chambeau over the 72 holes in the matchbet. It was all over after the first round when Bryson withdrew from the tournament complaining about a wrist & hip injury.
Well done if you collected especially with the new 5pts Nap. Keep an eye out for more banker golf bets on the website.
So let’s get on with narrowing down this week’s field for the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
Scottie Scheffler
For my first and main selection I’m really liking the look of Scottie Scheffler 25/1EW Bet365.
I’ve mentioned in previous previews that this talented 25 year old kid from Dallas, Texas would win his first maiden PGA title this year so so this weekend is as good as any for Scheffler to get off the mark.
With two runners-up prizes and a fourth place finishes in his last six tournaments, surely it’s only a matter of time before Scheffler has his maiden crown.
2nd at the Hero World Challenge and T2nd at the Houston Open with a 4th place finish at the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba, add to that a very respectable Top 20 finish last time out at the Farmers Insurance Open, then you have all the makings to be PGA Tour champion.
The world ranked No.15 player was seventh at this event last year, only three shots off the pace so conditions will suit. I’ve just got a feeling that Scheffler will go close this weekend if not all the way and I don’t t want to miss out when it happens as he’s hit the bar for us on a good few occasions.
Viktor Hovland
For my next suggestion I’m going to advise a player who very rarely lets us down whenever I select him, Viktor Hovland 18/1 EW Bet365.
The 24 year old from Oslo in Norway had quite a superb year in 2021 and he certainly hasn’t started this year too shabbily either.
With a victory already in the bag after winning the Dubai Desert Classic on the new look DP World Tour his other recent victories include the Hero World Challenge and also the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba.
Hovland definitely ticks all the boxes for what’s required to win around Scottsdale and with three victories in his last five attempts, it would be crazy not to consider Hovland as a danger this weekend.
With four PGA & two European crowns in the bag, this is a major champion waiting to happen, most probably this year if you ask me but before then he will keep on winning event after event. It’s that winning mentality what has seen Hovland rise to be the 3rd best player on the planet and it could get even better this weekend in Arizona.
Sam Burns
For my next pick I’m going to single out and stick with another who usually does himself and us proud, Sam Burns 33/1 EW Skybet.
The 25 year old from Louisiana missed the cut last time out at the Farmers Insurance Open but I’m not allowing that to have any influence, in fact it’s probably boosted his price this week.
Before the Farmers, Burns has finished inside the Top 20 at all previous eight attempts, I could have said ten if it wasn’t for a 21st place after finishing runner-up at the WGC FedEx St Jude Invitational, truly remarkable.
With six Top 10 finishes in eleven attempts, four of them Top 5s including a victory at the Sanderson Farms Championship, ignore Sam Burns at your peril.
I told you last year he was all over my radar and that hasn’t changed this year. With two PGA Tour victories in the bag, the other being the Valspar Championship, Burns can relax and this course is all set up for him to get his year up and running in the desert with another win on the PGA Tour.
Bubba Watson v Louis Oosthuizen
For my final selection it’s the customary 72 hole matchbet and this week I’m liking the look of Bubba Watson to beat Louis Oosthuizen 10/11 Nap Betfair.
Phoenix Open Tips
- Scottie Scheffler 25/1 EW Bet365
- Viktor Hovland 18/1 EW Bet365
- Sam Burns 33/1 EW Skybet
- Bubba Watson to beat Louis Oosthuizen 10/11 Nap , 72 hole matchbet
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