This Week’s PGA Tour Predictions!
The most fan-friendly golf tournament in the world comes our way this week from a very busy Phoenix, Arizona, site of the Super Bowl that also takes place this weekend.
Bet On The 2015 PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open
When: Jan 29 – Feb 1, 2015
Location: Tournament Players Club of Scottsdale (TPC Scottsdale)
Purse: $6,200,000 – (Winner Share – $1,116,000)
Defending Champion: Kevin Stadler
***2015 BONUSES***
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TPC Scottsdale will host a very good field that includes Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Nick Watney, Rickie Fowler, Vijay Singh and Bubba Watson to name a few on a Stadium Course that brings the enjoyment level of golfers and spectators to a different level.
TPC Scottsdale is a par-71 layout, stretching out to 7,266 yards with three par 5s and a reachable par 4. For once, a hot putter is not essential this week – former Champions Kevin Stadler and Kyle Stanley aren’t exactly wizards with the flat stick. Solid ball striking seems to trump putting on this track as well as an ability to go low.
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So who should we keep an eye on this week? I hit on Bill Haas last week at 25/1 so pay attention!
2015 PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open Favorites:
Bubba Watson 14/1
Bubba blew it here last year – he led after each of the first three rounds en route to a second place finish – he will be motivated not to let that happen again! Watson feeds on the crowd – this tournament suits him just fine. Add in the fact that he has six straight top 25 finishes worldwide and Bubba looks like a serious threat here a again on a track he’s finished inside the top 5 in two of his last three appearances.
Jordan Spieth 14/1
Will play this event for the first time but enters with the game and the confidence to rip this track up. He is coming off a tremendously dominating win last year at the Australian Open and a win at the Hero Challenge which followed a T3 in Japan. Spieth hasn’t been seen in a while but the last we saw of him, he looked like the most dominant player on the planet. Rust scares me a little here though.
2015 PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open Contenders:
Ricky Fowler 20/1
Was the runner-up here in 2010 and T13 in 2011 and his game has absolutely taken off the last year. He has somehow missed the cut in this event the last two years but there is no denying the class of Fowler heading into this year. Fowler will relish the crowd support and could be the last man standing Sunday.
Phil Mickelson 22/1
Worth a mention as the All-Time money leader at this event – a three time winner! He was OK at the Humana last week but I just don’t trust him!
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Patrick Reed 25/1
Was a disappointing T24 in his attempt to repeat at the Humana last week but did win at Kapalua three weeks ago. He finished T19 here last year but has really stepped up his game lately. Like it or not Reed is going to be a contender most weeks from here on in.
Brendan Steele 40/1
If you are a course history guy, Steele may be the best value on the board. He has finished T-6 or better each of the last three years at TPC Scottsdale – as solid a player as there has been here the last few years. Add in a T2 at the Humana last week and Steele absolutely HAS to be on your radar.
2015 PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open Sleepers (50/1 or higher):
Robert Streb 66/1
Why not take a look at the guy in second in the FedEx Cup at the moment. He has four top 10s and leads the PGA in all-around rankings.
Francesco Molinari 66/1
Has never played this track before but that doesn’t scare me. His game matches up very well with TPC Scottsdale and he is coming off a 10th place finish last week at the Humana. He’s not that well known outside of the avid golf fan but could burst onto the scene this week.
2015 PGA Waste Management Phoenix Open Picks:
There is a lot of temptation to go with one of the favorites – Bubba Watson and Jordan Spieth are awfully hard to ignore. But I am! Brendan Steele at 40/1 is a total steal this week – get it? He has played very well here and off a T2 last week that included a closing round 64, I love his chances this week!
My Sleeper is Francesco Molinari 66/1 – he’s too good not to have won in the US and his stats line up beautifully here.
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