The PGA Tour is gearing up for one of the most anticipated stops on the annual calendar this week as we head to Arizona for the Waste Management Phoenix Open. As always, we have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the event below.
Remember to head to our PGA Tips page for regular updates as we build towards the first major of the season!
PGA Tour Phoenix Open Betting Tips
TPC Scottsdale, Thursday 9th - Sunday 12th February
It was another solid week for Before You Bet followers on the PGA Tour as we picked up another couple of nice place finish bets. Two of our top picks in Viktor Hovland and Beau Hossler both finished in the top 13, while our other two picks in Kevin Streelman and Jordan Spieth both made the cut. We’ll be hunting more winners this week as we preview the star studded Phoenix Open field.
The Field
To combat the rise of LIV Golf last season and entice more PGA Tour players to stay onboard, the tour announced that four events throughout the course of the season would have huge boosted prize-pools. The Phoenix Open marks the first of those tournaments, with a massive $20 million on offer this weekend.
Due to the boosted prize-pool and the overall prestige of the event, the field is absolutely jam packed this week, inarguably the best we have seen so far in the 2022-23 PGA Tour season. Of the top 20 ranked players in the world, only LIV contracted Cam Smith and injured Will Zalatoris will be missing from the field this week.
At the top of the betting markets is the likes of Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau and the red hot Max Homa.
Past winners of the event who will be hunting another trophy this week include Scheffler, Webb Simpson, Rickie Fowler, Hideki Matsuyama and J.B. Holmes.
The Course
TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ
7,261 Yards, Par 71
TPC Scottsdale was designed by Jay Morris and Tom Weiskopf and opened for play back in 1986. Since the following year, the course has hosted a PGA Tour each and every season. Set amongst the Arizona desert, course knowledge is key at TPC Scottsdale, as winners often come from players who have had successful outings in Arizona in the past.
The course itself has become synonymous with the Par 3 stadium 16th hole. It has already provided some of the most famous moments on the PGA Tour and will no doubt continue to do so this week.
This week, we’ll predominantly be targeting players who have strong records at TPC Scottsdale above any other metric.
Betting Tips
Bigger prize pool and a more star studded field means that instead of the standard two top dogs and two dark horses, we’ll be opting for a 3-2 split this week as there is just so much talent in the field.
Rory McIlroy ($10)
Hard to believe the No.1 player in the world isn’t actually favourite for this tournament. He is playing on a different level to any other golfer on the planet at the moment, and his consistency is incredible. His last eight tournament starts across the PGA and Euro Tours reds T8, 1st, T2, 4th, T4, 1st, 4th and 1st. Rory should be in contention come Sunday once again.
Justin Thomas ($23)
JT hasn’t been in spectacular form of late but a week off last week should help that. He has a fantastic record at TPC Scottsdale, finishing 17th, 3rd, 3rd, 13th and 3rd in his last five trips there. One of the best ball strikers in the world on a course that requires a good all-round game.
Hideki Matsuyama ($34)
There’s arguably no golfer who has had more success at TPC Scottsdale than Hideki Matsuyama. The Japanese star won back to back events in 2016 and 2017 and has finished in the top 10 a further three times since the 2014 season. Finished 9th in his last start, so is starting to find some form as we head into major season.
Lucas Herbert ($81)
Flying somewhat in the face of our aim to target players with strong records in Arizona, but I Herbert’s coming into this tournament in some fantastic form. The Australian has finished 3rd in back to back weeks on the PGA Tour at the Dubai Desert Classic and the Saudi International to climb into the top 50 in the world. Will thrive off the party style atmosphere in Arizona.
Martin Laird ($201)
Like the Scottsman for a bit of value this week. Has a great record at TPC Scottsdale over the years, racking up three top 10 finishes and another two top 20 finishes in his last nine trips to Arizona.
Rory McIlroy to win ($10) 0.5 Units
Justin Thomas to win ($23) 0.3 Units
Rory McIlroy top 10 ($2.05) 2 Units
Justin Thomas Top 20 ($2.15) 2 Units
Hideki Matsuyama Top 30 ($1.90) 5 Units
Martin Laird Top 40 ($2.87) 2 Units
Lucas Herbert Top 40 ($2.05) 3 Units
Phoenix Open Betting Tips
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