One of the most popular events on the PGA Tour will take place this weekend in Scottsdale, Arizona as some of the world’s best compete in the 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open. 17 of the world’s top 50 players will compete with this year’s winner set to take home a grand prize of $1.17 million and 500 FedEx Cup points.
Event Details
Event: 2016 Waste Management Phoenix Open
Category: PGA
Date: February 4-7
Location: Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale, Arizona
It will be a much different atmosphere this week than it was when the Farmers Insurance Open wrapped up with horrendous conditions taking their toll on Torrey Pines. Scottsdale, Arizona presents the players with a pristine environment in January with what’s expected to be clear skies, sun and weather of 20-25 celcius. Brandt Snedeker managed to brave the conditions with a final round rally to win the Farmers Insurance Open and he will be among the besting favorites to win again in Scottsdale this week.
Past Five Winners
2015 – Brooks Koepka
2014 – Kevin Stadler
2013 – Phil Mickelson
2012 – Kyle Stanley
2011 – Mark Wilson
What To Know About The Course
The challenges of the Tournament Players Club are among the reasons it is the largest-attended golf tournaments in the world. Set in the Sonoran Desert amidst the McDowell Mountains, even the casual golf fan will recognize the 16th hole where golfers are surrounded by the raucous crowds in the stands. Typically, golf is played in front of a quiet, peaceful audience that occasionally claps after a nice shot. There’s no hooting, hollering or booing. However, the 16th hole in Scottsdale is a completely different animal. For one hole of action, the sport’s crowd more closely resembles a UFC audience than anything else. The majority of players seem to love the setting and thrive when the crowd really gets in to it but for many who are not used to it (or for the players who are not popular among the fans, it can certainly be a nuisance. Make sure you tune in for the spectacle – especially on Sunday.
Also, it’s worth keeping in mind that this course isn’t very challenging. Taking a look back at last year’s scores, the winner was at -15 and a total of 14 players were at -10 or better. We also saw some fairly low rounds too, including Freddie Jacobson’s 64 in the final round.
The Field
Bubba Watson will be the betting favorite when the action gets underway this week but Snedeker, Rickie Fowler and last year’s winner Brooks Koepka will be in that mix as well. Koepka managed to edge out Watson, Hideki Matsuyama and Ryan Palmer by one stroke for the victory here last year and golfing enthusiasts should expect another close finish again this week. Watson has been the runner-up in each of the last two Waste Management Phoenix Opens, so he has to be hoping that the third time will be the charm for him.
A Good Matchup To Bet
Phil Mickelson over Kevin Na
Na has registered second and third place finishes at this tournament over the last six years but betting on this matchup is more about loving Mickelson’s chances than expecting Na to falter. Mickelson will be looking for his record-fourth Phoenix Open title and there is no doubt about his familiarity and comfort with this course. Mickelson has participated in this event 26 times already and he actually grew up fairly close to the course (in California) and was actually raised in Scottsdale. His experience will give him a slight edge over Na at this year’s tournament.
Top-Five Prediction: Bubba Watson
Watson has to be anxious about finally earning the victory at this year’s Waste Management Phoenix Open after consecutive runner-up finishes the last two years. He hasn’t missed the cut in Scottsdale since 2011 and he will head in to this year’s tournament with momentum on his side. Watson has registered four straight top-15 finishes in the event and there is every reason to bank on that he will put together another impressive tournament with a chance to finally capture that elusive victory.
Top 10 Odds To Win The Phoenix Open
Bubba Watson +1015
Brandt Snedeker +1250
Rickie Fowler +1550
Brooks Koepka +1650
Hideki Matsuyama +2050
Kevin Kisner +2250
Phil Mickelson +2550
J B Holmes +2550
Jason Dufner +2850
