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WM Phoenix Open
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Course: TPC Scottsdale – Par 71 – 7,261 yards
Designer: Tom Weiskopf (1986)
Purse: $20 million
Preview
The biggest party of the PGA Tour season has arrived, and over 500,000 fans will descend upon the greater Phoenix area for what should be an exceptional weekend of sports. Although the WM Phoenix Open is known for its famously rowdy 16th-hole stadium setup, TPC Scottsdale is a rather traditional layout that players are more accustomed to than some of the other West Coast Swing venues. Accordingly, birdie opportunities will be plentiful, and past winners have often challenged 20-under par. Perhaps that’s exactly why this event boasts 23 of the world’s top 25 players and represents the PGA’s first full-field designated event of the year. Unsurprisingly, the weather forecast for the weekend is sunny and mid-70s throughout.
The winner’s share for this event is $3.6 million, and second and third places will come away with $2.2 and $1.4 million. As one can see, there’s a lot more to be excited about in Phoenix this weekend than just the Super Bowl. Somewhat notably, this tournament typically comes right down to the wire, as five of the past seven champions have been determined via a playoff.
Recent Champions
2022 – Scottie Scheffler (-16)
2021 – Brooks Koepka (-19)
2020 – Webb Simpson (-17)
2019 – Rickie Fowler (-17)
2018 – Gary Woodland (-18)
2017 – Hideki Matsuyama (-17)
2016 – Hideki Matsuyama (-14)
Key Stats
SG: Off-the-Tee
SG: Approach
Scrambling
Yahoo Picks
Based on $200 salary cap
Cream of the Crop
Rory McIlroy – $47
McIlroy is fresh off an impressive victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, where he outdueled rival Patrick Reed to claim the title by one stroke. While being interviewed following his victory, the Northern Irishman was quoted as saying that he didn’t quite have his “A game” during the week. This is reminiscent of Tiger’s dominance when he was besting fields with his “B” or “C” game, and it’s scary to think about…
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