Joe Champion
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It’s a huge week in the sporting world and while attention will soon turn to the Super Bowl on Sunday, the WM Phoenix Open and its famously boisterous TPC Scottsdale crowd should serve up a fine opening course. The Phoenix Open has been downgraded from Signature event status in favor of last week’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a decision which has not paid off after that tournament finished a day earlier than planned due to terrible coastal weather conditions. However, a number of stars are in attendance at Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, which is the long-time host venue for the most attended, and most raucous event in golf, best illustrated by the bearpit atmosphere of the enclosed par-three 16th hole.
The mass of spectators can add to the tension for Phoenix competitors and it’s perhaps no surprise that 8 of the last 9 winners have also won Major championships. The cream typically rises to the top at this 7,261-yard, par-71 layout.
Phoenix Open golf picks and predictions
Justin Thomas (+1000)
Odds generally available at time of publishing.
Scottie Scheffler, champion in each of the last two seasons, sat in 6th place when play was curtailed and the Pebble Beach title was handed to Wyndham Clark. He is the rightful favourite this week but he hasn’t won a full-field PGA Tour title since March 2023.
The same accusation could be levelled at Justin Thomas, who is winless since lifting the 2022 US PGA Championship, but he’s prolific at his best and there has been a lot to like about his return to top form in recent months.
The 30-year-old always plays well at Scottsdale, where his elite iron play is a significant asset, finishing 3rd, 3rd, 13th, 8th and 4th in his last five visits to Phoenix, and his form figures of 5-4-3-3-6 from his last 5 starts are just as impressive.
Byeong Hun An (+2800)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and BetMGM at time of publishing.
Another superb iron player, Byeong Hun An, started slowly at Pebble Beach but signed off with a Saturday 67. He’s finished in the top 4 in 4 of his last 8 PGA Tour events and he boasts a rock-solid Phoenix record, having finished 23rd or better in 4 of 5 visits.
Beau Hossler (+5000)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and BetMGM at time of publishing.
Beau Hossler continues to play well, following up 6th place in the Farmers Insurance Open with 14th at Pebble. He filled the same position in Phoenix on a star-studded leaderboard last season and is full of confidence on his return to Arizona.
Shane Lowry (+7000)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing.
Shane Lowry missed the cut at the American Express but he still reached 12 under par before improving the following week to finish 25th at the Farmers. The Irishman, 6th on Phoenix debut in 2016, might not be far away from finding top form and he could well prove overpriced.
