The PGA Tour once again heads to the desert for the WM Phoenix Open, the loudest, wildest, and most unapologetically fun stop on the calendar. “The People’s Open” returns for its 39th edition at TPC Scottsdale, where perfect weather, massive crowds and a stacked field promise another electric week. With 10 former major champions and 11 of the world’s top 20 teeing it up, this is far more than just a party. It’s a genuine elite-level test disguised as a spectacle, with the Super Bowl looming and the famous Coliseum ready to erupt.
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PGA Tour Phoenix Open Betting Tips
TPC Scottsdale, Thursday 5th - 8th February
Top Picks
Scottie Scheffler ($3.40/Top 5 $1.62)
Åberg returns to Torrey Pines with unfinished business and elite credentials. He already knows how to win here, having claimed the Genesis Invitational at this venue in 2025, and his combination of length, ball speed and iron control makes him tailor-made for the South Course. Åberg thrives on big ballparks where driver and long irons matter, and his calm temperament suits a week where pars are valuable. With confidence high and a proven ceiling on this layout, he shapes as one of the standout contenders.
Viktor Hovland ($38/Top 20 $2.35)
Few players in the field understand Torrey Pines better than Jason Day. A former winner here, Day’s ability to flight irons, scramble under pressure and handle brutal conditions makes him a perennial threat whenever the Tour returns to San Diego. His recent form has been encouraging with a T2 at the American Express last week, and when the South Course firms up, his experience becomes a genuine edge. If the wind plays a role over the weekend, Day’s comfort in survival golf puts him firmly in the mix.
Value Picks
Brooks Koepka ($56/Top 30 $2.10)
Rose remains one of the smartest course managers in the game and Torrey Pines rewards exactly that profile. A past champion at this event, he knows how to plot his way around both the North and South layouts. Rose’s iron play remains world class when dialled in, and his patience is a huge asset on a course where forcing birdies often backfires. At his price point, he’s a strong value option with genuine top-five upside.
Sahith Theegala ($56/Top 20 $2.10)
Bhatia continues to trend in the right direction and this week presents a big opportunity to test himself on a true championship layout. While Torrey Pines traditionally favours bombers, Bhatia’s improved driving and elite iron play give him a pathway to contend. His confidence has grown markedly over the past season, and if he can manage the rough and stay aggressive on the North Course, he could carry momentum into the tougher weekend test.
The Field
The WM Phoenix Open field is loaded from top to bottom. Scheffler headlines alongside Koepka and Xander Schauffele, while major champions and top-20 regulars like Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young, Sepp Straka and Chris Gotterup add serious depth. Veterans and fan favourites including Jordan Spieth, Tony Finau, Max Homa and Billy Horschel round out a field that feels closer to a signature event than a standard Tour stop.
There’s also plenty happening beneath the surface with Aon Swing 5 implications front and centre. With Pebble Beach and Riviera spots up for grabs, players like Pierceson Coody, Matt McCarty and Patrick Rodgers are under real pressure to hold their positions. A strong week here could define the early part of someone’s season.
Sponsor exemptions bring added intrigue. Joel Dahmen returns as a local cult hero after a resurgent performance last week, while Sahith Theegala and Charley Hoffman both arrive motivated to capitalise on opportunity. Expect fireworks both on and off the course.
The Course
TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course is a par 71 measuring just over 7,260 yards, and while it’s visually friendly, it demands precision. Desert carries, strategic bunkering and slick greens punish even small mistakes. The par fives offer scoring chances, but danger lurks everywhere for players who lose discipline.
The iconic par-3 16th is the heartbeat of the tournament. The Coliseum transforms a simple short hole into the most intimidating tee shot of the week, where nerves are tested as much as swing mechanics. It’s often where momentum swings, both positively and disastrously.
Low scores are common here, but winning still requires control. With ideal weather forecast and calm conditions expected, birdies will be flying. However, history shows that staying patient, avoiding big numbers and handling the atmosphere are just as important as raw scoring. Whoever wins will need to embrace the chaos, not shy away from it.
