After all the talk at the end of last season about the impending designated events, the week is finally here. The WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale will serve as the first full-field designated event with the world’s best players battling against each other to see who’s top dog — the Sentry Tournament of Champions was designated but featured a limited field.
Jon Rahm is the betting favorite at most books, sitting at +800. Rory McIlroy, who has yet to make a start on the PGA Tour in 2023 but won the Hero Dubai Desert Classic over LIV Golf’s Patrick Reed on the DP World Tour two weeks ago, is behind him at +850.
Overall, 22 of the top 25 players in the Official World Golf Ranking have made their way to the desert.
Golf course
Par 71 | 7,261 yards | Tom Weiskopf/Jay Morrish design
Course comparisons (according to Data Golf): 1. Southern Hills Country Club, 2. Annadale GC, 3. Silverado Resort and Spa
Chesson Hadley on the 16th hole during the pro-am ahead of the 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open at the TPC Scottsdale. (Photo: Tom Tingle/The Arizona Republic)
Course history
TPC Scottsdale – Course History for the #WMPO
Includes average finish position and SG averages since 2015. pic.twitter.com/oHFmjUiyum
— Ron Klos (@PGASplits101) February 6, 2023
Betting preview
We didn’t have Justin Rose on the card so we didn’t cash an outright. Keith Mitchell (35/1) had a great week, finishing inside the top five. Viktor Hovland was close enough to the lead entering the final round but couldn’t get anything going and eventually tied for 13th.
If you’re interested in my plays and other coverage throughout the week, follow my Twitter here: @rileyhamel_
My cards drop every Wednesday.
| Player | Odds | Player | Odds |
| Jon Rahm | (+800) | Cameron Young | (+2500) |
| Rory McIlroy | (+850) | Tom Kim | (+2800) |
| Scottie Scheffler | (+1200) | Viktor Hovland | (+3000) |
| Xander Schauffele | (+1400) | Hideki Matsuyama | (+3000) |
| Collin Morikawa | (+1800) | Matt Fitzpatrick | (+3500) |
| Tony Finau | (+1800) | Jordan Spieth | (+4000) |
| Patrick Cantlay | (+2000) | Sahith Theegala | (+4500) |
| Justin Thomas | (+2000) | Sam Burns | (+4500) |
| Sungjae Im | (+2200) | Taylor Montgomery | (+6000) |
| Max Homa | (+2200) | Jason Day | (+6000) |
Collin Morikawa hits his tee shot on the 2nd hole during the third round of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament at Torrey Pines Municipal Golf Course – South Course. (Photo: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY…
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