Golf: PGA Tour – Waste Management Phoenix Open
Venue: TPC Scottsdale, Arizona
Dates: Thursday 30th January – Sunday 2nd February 2020
Tournament Preview
The infamous Phoenix Open rolls in once more on the PGA Calendar with flocks of fans sure to arrive at the event ready to contribute to its famous boisterous atmosphere. The event first hit the PGA Tour back in 1932 as the Arizona Open and has taken on many incarnations before becoming the Phoenix Open it is today. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh are just some of the incredible names to have won the event which has a special place steeped in PGA Tour history. With a four-day attendance of around 500,000 people, it is the best attended event in golf and the crowds gather round the spectacular 16th hole to create a carnival atmosphere. With over $7 million in the prize pot and over $1.3 million on offer for the champion, there is plenty to play for in Phoenix this week.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
The field at the Waste Management Open is particularly strong with many talents from the USA and further afield keen to get their hands on the trophy come Sunday:
Spaniard Jon Rahm continues to blaze a trail on both the European and PGA Tours and he has finished inside the top 10 in the last 6 events he has played across both tours.
With a win already under his belt this year at the Tournament of Champions, Justin Thomas looks well placed to challenge once more here in Phoenix.
Two-time champion at this event Hideki Matsuyama loves playing here in Arizona and interacting with the crowd and he looks good value to challenge once again in 2020.
Defending champion Rickie Fowler has two top 10 finishes to his name already this season and in a congested field, he could well slip under the radar here.
Webb Simpson is a former runner up at this event and he has finished in the top 10 in the last 4 events he has played, making him a real candidate to go all the way this year.
1st Round Leader
The TPC Scottsdale can be unforgiving for all levels of player and getting off to a good start could be the catalyst to an excellent week:
The world number 9 has two top 10 finishes from his last 3 starts and he will fancy his chances of getting off to a good start here at the TPC Scottsdale.
Bryson DeChambeau put in an excellent display at the Dubai Desert Classic on the European Tour last week, finishing 6th and he will be keen to bring that form back home for this one.
South African Branden Grace is a relative unknown quantity on the PGA Tour but his win at the South African Open and 3rd place finish at the Alfred Dunhill suggest he is in fine form currently.
Top 10 Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in Arizona, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 10 come Sunday:
Few players have possessed the longevity and willingness that Matt Kuchar has in recent years and he will be a real candidate in an event he has yet to win on the PGA Tour,
2019 US Open Gary Woodland needs a kick start to his 2020 season, and he could well get it here on a course well suited to his efficient game and home support backing him to the hilt.
World number 13 Tony Finau has enjoyed 3 consecutive top 20 finishes in recent weeks and he will be keen to kick on and make the top 10 here in Phoenix.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Jon Rahm – 6.50
1st Round Leader: Xander Schauffele – 25.00
Top Ten Finish: Tony Finau – 3.00
