WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN 2023

TOURNAMENT PREVIEW FEB 9, 2023 

WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN 

TPC SCOTTSDALE AZ FEB 9-12, 2023 PAR 72 

PURSE $20,000,000 +11,500,000 58%

The tournament will start with a field of 136.  It draws as many as 220,000 fans per day.   Second largest number of fans for any sporting event with the exception of the Indianapolis 500 which is #1.  Last years winner Scottie Scheffler won $1,476,000.  It was his first of 4 PGA wins in 2022.  This years winner will get $3,600,000.  This is the first of the elevated events which have a purse of $20,000,000 each.  It is played on Super Bowel Sunday, and it is usually over by game time.

My Sentimental Favorites

#1 Rory McIlroy 8/1 I want him to stay #1.

#2 Max Homa 21/1 He played so well in winning The farmers, maybe he can do it again.

#3 Justin Thomas 21/1 He is due to put together 4 good rounds.

#4 Jordan Spieth 31/1 Same as above.

#5 Ricky Fowler 60/1 On my favorite golfers list who has best odds to win.

NB My #5 pick will always be a long shot who has not won recently whom I want to win again.

Oddsmakers Favorites

#1 Rory McIlroy 8/1 He and Rahm have won this year so it’s a toss up.

#2 Jon Rahm 8.5/1 Both of these guys are playing very well.

#3 Xander Schauffele 14/1 He could win if his back does not act up.

#4 Scottie  Scheffler 15/1 Very hard to repeat.

#5 Tony Finau 18/1  Playing well but no chance with the big boys.

Last years top 5 picks; Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Patrick Cantlay, V. Hovland, H Matsuyama.

Scottie Scheffler was picked #8.  Sahith Theegala was a surprise, finishing tied for 3rd.

Cantlay only top 5 pick to finish in top 5 at 2. 

The Sixteenth Hole is unique.  It is a par 3 with an arena like setting and is the only enclosed hole on the PGA TOUR.  It seats 17,000 fans who treat it more like a football game than a golf tournament.  Very refreshing, but once a year is enough.  Some players enjoy and some do not.  The Golf Channel sets up their studio outside this hole starting on Monday Feb 6.  

In 1997, Tiger & Steve Stricker aced the hole.  Last year Sam Ryder & Carlos Ortiz made a hole in one.  The crowd goes crazy with an ace.   

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