Waste Management Phoenix Open - Preview

Waste Management Phoenix Open

TPC Scottsdale, Arizona

Thursday Feb 2nd - Sunday 5th 2017 

by David Barwise

It’s the run-up to Super Bowl Sunday, and things are gonna get loud.

Photo: Golficity

The Course

At 7266 yards, this par-71 is a long-hitter’s course. The slow, unassuming, Bermudagrass greens means it’s all about the tee-to-green play. If in doubt, see Hideki Matsuyama’s record here.

But the gem in Scottsdale’s crown is the short par-3 16^th, surrounded by grandstands and dubbed “The Coliseum”. While caddie racing has since been outlawed, keep your eyes peeled for the good, the bad, and the downright bizarre.

The Field

We’ll start this week with 132, with the weekend cut for the top 70 and ties. While the bright lights of Dubai have enticed many top golfers this week, Scottsdale will host 12 of the top 30, including previous winners Matsuyama, Brooks Koepka, and Phil Mickelson.

Justin Thomas, who leads the FedExCup and is currently the name on everyone’s lips, will also be in attendance.

Last Year

Much to the frustration of sports fans who were eager to switch over to the Super Bowl, a then-rare clutch putt from Hideki Matsuyama meant he was tied with Rickie Fowler at -14. They were evenly matched throughout until Rickie found the water on the fourth playoff hole, leaving the door open for Matsuyama to score par and win

Photo: MyGolfBuddy

Spotlight

All eyes will be on Justin Thomas to see if he can be the first player to make back-to-back-to-back wins on the PGA Tour since Rory McIlroy in 2014. His tussle at the top of the FedExCup standings with defending champ Matsuyama will also make for interesting viewing.

Thomas will be partnered with fellow 59-shooter Adam Hadwin and fan favourite Phil Mickelson. The Californian shot a record-tying -28 over his successful 2013 campaign. On top of Mickelson’s three wins at this event, he’s been known to interact well with the crowd at this event – even throwing the pigskin around on the 16^th.

Prediction

I’m not looking for much of an upset here. Although this is a course that suits Justin Thomas’ game perfectly (and I fully expect a top-5 finish from him), Hideki Matsuyama’s record here is just too good – he’s shot a total of 14-under on each visit here and has never finished outside of the top-5.

While Thomas’ putting game has been excellent in his previous two events, it has been uncharacteristic of him, and I don’t see him carrying that form on to a place where he missed the cut only 12 months ago. I’d sooner expect Jon Rahm (another winner this year, T5 in his last appearance here, tee-to-green pro, great desert player) to challenge the defending champion.