Tournament: Waste Management Phoenix Open
Date: Thurs.-Sun. January 30-Feb. 2, 2014
Course: TPC at Scottsdale, Scottsdale AZ
TV: Golf Channel/CBS
by Tim, PGA Golf Handicapper, Predictem.com
The PGA Tour fellas skip approx. 325 miles due east for the Waste Management Phoenix Open (it isnt an Open) this weekend! Last week, Torrey Pines grabbed Tigers lunchand Mickelsons egofirmly by the handle and jacked that stuff straight into Scott Stallings hands. Tiger looked absolutely horrible in “Sand” Diego and MickelsonMickelson had to run to the Doctor to see what happened to his game (Mickelsons game, not the Doctors!). The Valley of the Sun will entertain some of the greatest golfers in the world this weekend hoping to pour fame in fortune into their own modest bank accounts. By the way; Phoenix isnt really the Valley of the Sunits more like the Haunting Omnipresence of the Sun! The amount of daily sun-doses received in Phoenix would drive the most docile Librarian absolutely crazy!!! If anyone wonders why certain Indians worshipped the sun; go to Phoenix! The truth will reveal itself in Day 2! Lets pick a Winner!
Scott Stallings wore out the Field in San Diego and withstood solid play from Jason Day and the ever-present Korean Assassin K.J. Choi. Phoenix is quite like a circus atmosphere with the 16th Hole primed, prepped, and ready for a beer keg conversion that would make a Bartender blush! The PGA fellas know what to expect at Phoenix and one day, perhaps, the title sponsor (Waste Management) will be changed to reflect a more tasty image when connecting Phoenix, golf, and tournament name! Waste Managementmaybe its just mebut when I think of the Waste Management Phoenix Open images containing thousands of seagulls, thrown out plastic coke bottles, and the movie The Godfather wrap tightly around the minds eye! The usual Suspects are entered in this years version of the tourney; Stallings, Horschel, Ryan Moore, Ryan Palmer, Bradley along with a few perennials like Angel Cabrera, and newest perennial Russell Henley. Lets take a look inside the field and see who has a real shot at winning this dumpster Tourney!
Angel Cabrera, like K.J. Choi, is a warrior! Yes, Cabrera is in this tournament to get ready for the Masters but unlike Tiger or Mickelson, Cabrera and Choi actually dont work on things during the tournament; Choi and Cabrera compete! This course sets up nicely for both Playersas well as Speith and DeLaetbecause the TPC of Phoenix is a Fake-Links layout. Fake-Links in the sense that the wind sort of is a factor (if it blows at all) but the Moguling of the course at the edges effectively blocks the winds effect although the playing surface has undulations reflecting that of the finest European Links courses. A drive hit 300 yards and another at 301 might be a 2 or 3 club difference depending on the lie. NOW, we need to look at the Thinkers on Tourthe ones who dont simply load up and reload according to distance (The Point A to Point B Target Players). I like Cabrerathis is Cabreras first tourney but he is ready for the game required in Phoenix. DeLaet is another player that is uniquely suited for this tournament and Speith is just a terror on the course with his confidenceRyan Moore is also a Player to watch. Lets pick em!
Short Favorite: Ryan Moore (28 Odds to 1 to Win)
His game is ready, he plays well on Links style coursesA Plodder with a brain (but ZERO Fashion Sense!).
Middle of the Road: Ian Poulter (50 Odds to 1 to Win)
Im not sure if his game is ready to compete? Poulter is a Bulldog competitor and has more experience with this type of course than probably the entire field combined! If his putter is workingWatch Out!
Longshot: Angel Cabrera (150 Odds to 1 to Win)
Angel is getting ready for the Masters. Unlike his counterparts, Angel puts 100% into every tournament and every shot no matter what status the tourney sits under. Cabrera never takes a tournament off!
Head to Head Matches *Picks to win based on final score after all four rounds. Check out your favorite online betting site for single round matches and a variety of prop bets.
Phil Mickelson vs. Webb Simpson (our pick to win: Webb Simpson)
Mickelson left Torrey Pines and went straight to the Doctor. Huge Red Flag! Mickelson might pull out on the back nine of the first round if hes struggling!
Keegan Bradley vs. Ryan Moore (our pick to win: Ryan Moore)
Bradleys a great player but over-matched in this pairing. I have Moore winning the tourneyI dont have Bradley winning the tourney; nuff said.
