Tuesday, January 29, 2019

What To Look For: 2019 Waste Management Phoenix Open

The Tour comes back to the loudest hole in golf at TPC Scottsdale.


The Waste Management Phoenix open dates back to the Phoenix Open which has been in existence since 1932. For the past 33 years, they have played at TPC Scottsdale. The course used to be a pretty fair course for any style of play, but when the Pro V1 was introduced it became a bomber oriented course up until the re-design.

Generally, the course is not all that exciting from a design perspective. The bombers used to like it because it favored them so much, but the re-design implemented a lot more waste areas, often in the middle of fairways and that has drawn the ire of the players. However, the atmosphere of the 16th hole makes it hard for players to not want to play there.

This is a course that stresses a lot of mid-length approach shots. For the bombers, if they can avoid the waste areas with their driver they can be at an advantage.

The last ‘Critical Hole’ on the course is the driveable 17th hole.




What’s interesting about this hole is that it’s a fairly easy driving hole, even for a driveable hole. But, it has a very difficult approach to the green if the player does not drive the green. However, that is countered by it being the easiest green to putt on. The water also runs to the back where occasionally golfers can find off the tee.

Projected Winning Score: -18


3JACK’S FAVORITES

Jon Rahm +700
Justin Thomas +900
Hideki Matsuyama +1,200
Rickie Fowler +1,800
Tony Finau +2,000
Phil Mickelson +2,200


3JACK’S DARK HORSE PICKS

Billy Horschel +4,000
Daniel Berger +5,000
Luke List +6,600
Talor Gooch +8,000





3JACK

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