It's a huge week in the sporting world and while attention will soon turn to the Super Bowl on Sunday, the WM Phoenix Open and its famously boisterous TPC Scottsdale crowd should serve up a fine opening course. The Phoenix Open has been downgraded from Signature event status in favor of last week's Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a decision which has not paid off after that tournament finished a day earlier than planned due to terrible coastal weather conditions. However, a number of stars are in attendance at Scottsdale's Stadium Course, which is the long-time host venue for the most attended, and most raucous event in golf, best illustrated by the bearpit atmosphere of the enclosed par-three 16th hole.
The mass of spectators can add to the tension for Phoenix competitors and it's perhaps no surprise that 8 of the last 9 winners have also won Major championships. The cream typically rises to the top at this 7,261-yard, par-71 layout.
Phoenix Open golf picks and predictions
Scottie Scheffler, champion in each of the last two seasons, sat in 6th place when play was curtailed and the Pebble Beach title was handed to Wyndham Clark. He is the rightful favourite this week but he hasn't won a full-field PGA Tour title since March 2023.