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2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open Preview | Picks

Phoenix Open Betting – TPC Scottsdale

Brandt Snedeker baby!! He was my pick to win the Farmer’s Insurance last week. Too bad my sleeper was actually a snoozer and missed the cut (Robert Garrigus). This week, the PGA TOUR moves to Arizona to the 2012 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Waste Management Phoenix Open
January 30 – February 5, 2012
TPC of Scottsdale, Scottsdale, Arizona
Length: 7,216 yards
Par: 71
Prize fund: $6,000,000
Defending Champion: Mark Wilson

The field includes 17 of the top 30 from the 2011 FedEx Cup final standings and four of the Top 6 Money Winners from last year. 132 players will vie for the $6.1 million purse, the $1,098,000 first-place check and FedEx Cup points.

Here is a breakdown of some of the names to keep an eye on ahead of this weekend’s tournament.

THE FAVORITES:

Webb Simpson +1500

Simpson is #6 in the world at the moment and finished eighth in this tournament last year. He skipped last week after a T38 at the Sony Open and a T3 at Kapalua. He is consistent as they come – failing to miss a cut in his last 10 tournaments. Simpson will be there on Sunday – it is just a matter of how close to the top!

Brandt Snedeker +1800

My Man! Snedeker almost let the farmer’s slip away with an average third round but he came on when it mattered most. He has placed 13th or better in four straight events and finished T8 last year with another Favorite Webb Simpson.

THE CONTENDERS:

Martin Laird +2000

Laird has played well this season so far – three straight tournaments with a 14th or better showing including a second at Kapalua and a T14 at the Humana. Laird finished third in this event last year and just may be due for a win in Phoenix.

Nick Watney +2000

Watney had a third and fourth round to forget last week on his way to a 60th place finish last week. In his last three starts in this event, he has finished Top 25, including a T5 last year. Watney has been relatively quiet after a terrific 2011 but he has the game to get it done at TPC Scottsdale.

Matt Kuchar +2000

Kuchar was only OK down the stretch in 2011 (1 top 10 in his last seven tournaments) but was superb at the start of last year (6 top 10s in his first eight events). Phoenix will be his second tournament of this – his first being a T22 at the Humana. His game is suited for this course. I just wish that he was a little hotter going into the event. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

INTERESTING NOTABLES:

Rickie Fowler +2500

Ricky Fowler is definitely one of the most exciting prospects this week especially after a 13th last week at the Farmer’s. He was 13th at this event last year and second in 2010. His game matches the course like his hat matches his shirt and pants! Fowler has been on the radar as a player to watch all season – this could be his week.

Bill Haas +2500

Haas has played a lot so far during this short season with his best showing coming last week – a fourth place finish at the Farmer’s. Haas played well at this event last year and was actually in contention until a closing round 76 saw him tumble to a T29 finish. Haas is uber-talented and will be a contender for sure this week.

Mark Wilson +3000

You gotta love Mark Wilson at +3000. He won the Humana Challenge and then took last week off to prepare to defend at this event. Wilson is on top of his game right now and although he’s not the longest hitter on Tour, he is as good as there is at this point in time.

THE SLEEPERS:

D.A. Points +5000

Points has played in three events this year finishing T12 at Kapalua, a T6 at Waialae and a T8 at Torrey Pines while shooting under par in every single round – impressive for sure! Points finished T18 at this event last year – it was the first time he made the cut in this event.

J.B. Holmes +6000

Holmes has won this tournament twice and finished Top 5 last year. Holmes is coming back from some serious health issues – brain surgery to treat vertigo and may need a few more tournaments to regain his form.

Cameron Tringale +9000

Tringale finished T4 last week and is now 25 under par the last two weeks. A little extra money on him could produce a very nice payday!

THE PICK:

Martin Laird +2000 has been a factor in every event that he has played so far this season. His third place finish here last year gives me even more confidence that he is ready to break through this week. Laird is due folk and is my pick to win this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open

My Sleeper pick is Cameron Tringale +9000 who is playing some spectacular golf at the moment. Confidence and momentum could carry this relative unknown to victory on Sunday.

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