This week the players head to the TPC Scottsdale in sunny Arizona for the annual Phoenix Open. A stadium course with ASU and other area schools near by it makes for the biggest(and drunkest) crowds the players will see all year. This course sets up as a 7200 yd par 71 known for it's aceable par 3 16th where Tiger made a 1 in '97 one the most memorable golf moments.This course will require solid driving erring to distance over accuracy as well as good GIR, proximity to hole and solid putting. Only 3 par 5's this week for the players to take advantage of, also being in the desert sand save % is worth looking at with 78 bunkers in play.
This week the most popular player will be Phil Mickelson a huge fan favorite, twice a winner here('96, '05) look for him to get back on track and have a good week. Other popular notables include B. Watson, J. Dufner, R. Fowler, B. Snedeker, N. Watney and many others. As you can see already we're in for a fun competitive event. Last year K. Stanley redeemed himself after a meltdown at the Farmers to pick up the win after S. Levin had a Sunday meltdown of his own giving up a six stroke lead he had after 54 holes.
As the records indicate we haven't been picking up the outright victories but have done okay H2H. My favorite part of golf betting is picking the outright winner and kissing the trophy as I love to do and did 11 times in about 35-40 events last season. I'll be looking to get the outright picks in order with a few of the favorites and a couple others. No doubt we'll keep H2H plays rolling along and probably have a couple props this week. Will there be a hole in one? YES!
Here are my picks to win the event:
**Jason Dufner +1450 **Jason will be the 2% play this week (MC)
~Jason is THE pick this week! He has been playing great with top tens over the last 2 events on the euro tour. He's also performed well here and his stats are lining up nicely. T8th here last year and finished solo 2nd in '11. Here are some key stats, GIR 7th, total driving 3rd, all around 3rd, proximity to hole 4th, birdie avg 5th, scoring avg 4th.
*Rickie Fowler +1800 (MC)
~Rickie had a great final 54 holes last week after an opening round 77 at the Farmers. He did disappoint us as he was just one stroke off of a couple payouts however he shot -13 thru his final three rounds and finished T6th. He is familar with this course as he finished solo second here in 2010.
*Bubba Watson +1900
~Bubba is back! Feeling better after a late withdraw last week due to the flu, I think Bubba will do well this week. B dub finished in a T4th at the TOC and T5th here last year. Some key stats, driving distance 1st, GIR 2nd, par 4 performance 1st, scoring avg 9th.
*Phil Mickelson +2500 $$$WINNER$$$
~Another lefty, the hometown hero will be back looking for his 3rd win at the TPC Scottsdale. Lefty has not gotten off to a great start this year but he's getting older and may have just needed to shake off the rust. I think this course will rejuvenate him. He knows the track well I mentioned his 2 wins here and he's also had a 2nd as well('08). Last year he finished T26th. His stats are nothing special but he knows how to putt and he knows how to win! 40 career wins and second only to Mr. Woods on the all time money list.
*Keegan Bradley +4000 E/W
~KB is offering some nice value on an each way play and he could certainly win this week with his friend and mentor Phil M. close by this week. Keegan finished T15th in his only appearance here last season. Keegan is a good ball striker and ranked 1st on tour in all around last season. Already has 3 career wins and should be in contention for his fourth this week.