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Matsuyama is just too obvious
Everyone and their pet dog is talking about how Matsuyama is the man to beat. He’s gone back to back at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. If he can win this year he will be the only other person to three-peat alongside the great Arnold Palmer. Obviously he is one of the Players to watch. Do I think he’ll three-peat? He’ll no! He’s not playing at an elite level right now. He’ll compete, but winning is very unlikely.
True favourites
Rickie Fowler
Lets be honest here. One of Matsuyama’s wins should really have been Rickie’s. He imploded coming down the stretch, and eventually lost in a playoff. The stadium feel is an advantage for Rickie. He’s so popular among the fans that playing in front of any crowd is like having home field advantage. Anyone playing alongside him is going to feel like the enemy. Rickie feeds off the crowds energy and has a number of high finishes here to show for it. It wouldn’t surprise me if the energy at TPC Scottsdale lifts him to a Championship.
Jon Rahm
Rahm has played some amazing golf recently to where he has moved up to second overall in the PGA rankings. While the crowd will help Rickie feel like he’s playing in front of a home crowd. Jon Rahm actually will be. As a former Arizona State Sun Devil, Rahm will feel right at home at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. You can be damn sure he’ll come out wearing some Sun Devils garb at some point. Given his recent performance you can bet good money that the crowd at TPC Scottsdale will be pulling for their local boy to win. Every Championship means something on the PGA tour, but I’m willing to wager that this one means a little bit more to Jon Rahm.
Potential Surprises
Keegan Bradley
Keegan Bradley comes into this event in great form, and has exactly the kind of game that suits TPC Scottsdale. He’s impressively accurate with his long clubs, and can bomb it. There’s a lot of risk/reward plays available at TPC Scottsdale. Keegan Bradley has the accuracy to effectively minimize the risk, while enjoying the reward. Given his recent play I would expect him to take a few more chances than usual, and capitalize. Keegan Bradley has the game to flat out win this event, but I’m expecting a Top 15 finish.
Kevin Streelman
Another Player coming into the Waste Management Phoenix Open in excellent form is Kevin Streelman. If it wasn’t for the quality of this particular field I would consider Streelman to be a favourite. His Ball striking has been stellar, and he seems to be playing with a lot of confidence. I don’t expect him to overpower the TPC Scottsdale course, but where others will take risks, and pay the price. I expect Streelman to play a very smart, safe game that will keep him in contention. I just don’t see him being able to turn it up a notch on Sunday against this field. A top 20 finish isn’t out of the question though.
Interesting story
J.B. Holmes
After his four minutes and ten seconds of club deliberation last Sunday before electing to lay up. In a situation where he needed an Eagle to make a playoff, and potentially win the tournament. A significant enough pause during the round that some people believe may have broken Alexander Noren’s concentration, and ultimately cost him the Championship. After a few days of being slammed on Twitter, and forced to answer for his actions by the Golf media. How will J.B. Holmes bounce back at the Waste Management Phoenix Open? This tournament is perfect for his long hitter game. As evidenced by his two previous victories here. He’s obviously playing well considering he was an Eagle away from making the playoff last week. Really he should be considered one of the favourites, but how will the TPC Scottsdale crowd welcome him after last week’s shenanigans? If you are looking for a sneaky good bet to make in DraftKings, J.B. Holmes might be your guy.
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