Waste Management Phoenix Open 2021 | PGA Tour

Though the atmosphere at TPC Scottsdale will be a bit different this year, a select few fans will get a taste of live PGA Tour action when the 2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open (WMPO) kicks off in Scottsdale, Arizona on Thursday. Let’s get you set to see some green screens on DraftKings this weekend.

What's up golf addicts! AC here, checking in week to week to provide a quick recap of the latest Tour Junkies podcast. I won't cover all of the picks and insight (you need to listen to the show) but I'll give you a few.

Let’s just skip over Patrick Reed winning the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines last week. If you were on him, good for you, if you weren’t, good for you. Our boy, Viktor Hovland, almost took it down but Willy Zalatoris and Luke List nailed T-10s for us.

As expected, a solid field has gathered for the WMPO which will be greeted by about 5,000 fans each day. Webb Simpson returns to defend his triumphant title captured in 2020 while last year’s runner-up, Tony Finau, and a flock of other birdie makers fly to Saudi Arabia for some free oil money.

The strength of the field for the WMPO won’t be outdone though as three of the top five in the world tee it up. Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, and Xander Schauffele will be joined by the likes of Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Sungjae Im, Daniel Berger, and Harris English.

TPC Scottsdale Course Preview

The famous Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish track designed in 1986 will see some prime scoring conditions this week with almost no wind in the forecast but some chillier temperatures will keep the early risers cool in the mornings. The Stadium Course plays as a par 71 at just over 7,200 yards. Water is in play on six holes with 67 bunkers defending the greens and fairways. Bermudagrass can be found tee to green with Poa Trivialis/perennial ryegrass overseeded TiFEagle on the putting surfaces.

The PGA has hosted an event here for the last 34 years so finding key stats is easy this week. Veterans, Brian Gay, Bubba Watson, JB Holmes, Rory Sabbatini and Ryan Moore all have at least 50 rounds played at TPC Scottsdale. Looking through the official PGA data on fantasynational.com, historic top-10 finishers excel in strokes gained: approach, putting, and off the tee meaning ball strikers who can putt tend to do very well.

Par 4 and par 5 scoring are important. As is hitting fairways. Driving distance will be an advantage but things like greens in regulation and scrambling tend to be easier than the tour average. Have a look at guys who putt well on firm and fast greens and pair together the leaders in birdie or better percentage and opportunities gained. The winning score has pretty consistently been between -15 to -17 with a cutline around even par. The field is set at 132 players with the top 65 and ties making the cut.

The Picks & Fades

Each week we will give you a play and a fade from each DraftKings salary range.

$9k+:

DB: Play - Xander Schauffele | Fade - Scottie Scheffler

Pat: Play - John Rahm | Fade - Scottie Scheffler

AC: Play - John Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Sungjae Im | Fade - Hideki Matsuyama

$8k:

DB: Play - Rickie Fowler | Fade - Billy Horschel

Pat: Play - Bubba Watson | Fade - Matthew Wolff

AC: Play - Russell Henley, Brooks Koepka | Fade - Louis Oosthuizen

$7k:

DB: Play - Max Homa | Fade - Jordan Spieth

Pat: Play - Corey Conners | Fade - Matt Kuchar

AC: Play - Chris Kirk, Rory Sabbatini, Henrik Norlander | Fade - Matt Kuchar

$6k:

DB: Play - Dylan Fritelli, Harry Higgs, Matthew Nesmith

Pat: Play - Harold Varner III, Keith Mitchell, Davis Riley

AC: Play - Bo Hoag, James Hahn, JT Poston

OUT: Scott Piercy

IN: John Huh, Steve Stricker

Monday Qs:

64 (-8) Mark Anguiano (1 eagle, 7 birdies, 1 bogey), Vincent Whaley (9 birdies, 1 bogey)

65 (-7; via 2-for-1 playoff)

Nick Hardy (bogey-free; 7 birdies)

- Field of 132

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