After a four year hiatus and Monday finish due to wind delays, Justin Rose is finally back in the winner’s circle. He finished three strokes clear of the field at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am for his first win of the season and 11th of his career.
Although we have been playing golf this season since September, this week feels like the unofficial kickoff. The Tour is headed to the Grand Canyon state, its one and only trip to Arizona, but be sure local spectators and fans will fit in as much fun as they can for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open played at the iconic Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale.
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2023 WM Phoenix Open
February 9-12, 2023
TPC Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ
Purse: $20,000,000
Defending Champ: Scottie Scheffler
The WM Phoenix Open inaugural tournament was held in 1932 and has been played annually since 1944. More recently, the tournament has become arguably one of the best non majors played all season and the undeniably most rowdy. Known as the Greatest Show on Grass and sometimes affectionately, the Wasted Management Open, the crowds at TPC Scottsdale this week will likely be the largest spectator group at any tournament this season.
The tournament is a 72 hole, stroke play tournament with a cut after 36 holes down to the top 65 players and ties.
The weather could definitely play a factor this week, with strong winds in the forecast throughout the weekend. Otherwise it should be perfect for golf with temps in the low 60s.
What Course Is the WM Phoenix Open Held At?
The WM Phoenix Open has been played at the Stadium Course on TPC Scottsdale since 1987. The course was designed by Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf and opened in 1986 with renovations being done in 2014 that were overseen by Weiskopf as well.
As a part of the Tournament Players Club, the course was specifically designed for this tournament. It is a desertscape course which is located ~1,500 feet above sea level, meaning the shots will carry and roll much further than most other courses. The course is most famous for the 16th par 3, which is surrounded by a stadium-like grandstand that can hold up to 20,000 spectators who will let you know exactly what they think of your shot into the short 163 yard green.
The Stadium Course measures in at 7,261 par 71. The course doesn’t require big hitters but it will cater to them. Precision will also be another major factor as errant shots will find their way to ponds, bunkers and most likely of all the desert.
Saturday: 1:00-3:00 p.m. Golf Channel; 3:00-6:30 p.m. CBS
Sunday: 1:00-3:00 p.m. Golf Channel; 3:00-6:00 p.m. CBS
How To Listen To the WM Phoenix Open
Thursday: 2:00-8:00 p.m. Sirius XM
Friday: 2:00-8:00 p.m. Sirius XM
Saturday: 1:00-6:30 p.m. Sirius XM
Sunday: 1:00-6:00 p.m. Sirius XM
Payouts for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open
The total purse of the 2023 WM Phoenix Open is the largest up to this point in the season at a whopping $20,000,000. The winner receives 500 FedEx Cup points and a minimum of 24 Official World Golf Ranking points — additional Official World Golf Ranking points can be added based on the tournament’s strength of field.
The champion also receives a two season exemption on the PGA Tour, as well as inclusion to the 2023 Masters and 2023 PGA Championship and the 2024 Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Finish
Payout
1
$3,600,000
2
$2,180,000
3
$1,380,000
4
$980,000
5
$820,000
How many Golfers are in the 2023 WM Phoenix Open?
There are 132 golfers teeing it up this week at the WM Phoenix Open. It is far and away the deepest and most competitive field we have had this season, with 22 of the top 25 and 37 of the top 50 Official World Golf Ranking players teeing it up this week.
Who has the Best Odds of Winning the 2023 WM Phoenix Open?
The current favorite to win the 2023 WM Phoenix Open is Jon Rahm (+750), followed by OWGR No.1 Rory McIlroy (+800) and defending champion Scottie Scheffler (+1200) rounds out the top 3.
WM Phoenix Open Past Winners
2022 Scottie Scheffler (-16)
2021 Brooks Koepka (-19)
2020 Webb Simpson (-17)
2019 Rickie Fowler (-17)
2018 Gary Woodland (-18)
PGA Best Bets Today – Thursday, February 9, 2023
2023 WM Phoenix Open Pick: Jon Rahm Tournament Winner | +750 at BetMGM
Thursday, February 9, 2023
This is all beginning to feel like deja vu, as Jon Rahm is again this week’s odds favorite and my pick for this tournament winner. While he fell short recently, it wasn’t all that short, finishing T7 after winning the two previous tournaments.
He is currently No. 1 in Stroke Gained: Off the Tee and No. 4 in Strokes Gained: Total, which will set him up nicely this week. Did I mention he is an ASU grad and this is basically a homecoming? Putting will be the only question mark this week but if he can stay steady with the flat stick he has a strong chance of hoisting a trophy come Sunday.
2023 WM Phoenix Open Pick: Collin Morikawa Top 5 Finish | +400 at BetMGM
Colin is playing as well as anyone can without actually taking home any hardware. In the last three tournaments he played he has finished 3, 2, and 6. He should be able to stay out of trouble off the tee as he’s extremely accurate and No. 1 on tour this season in accuracy off the tee. He is not the longest hitter but the thin air and dry desertscape course should help him out this week.
2023 WM Phoenix Open Pick: Scottie Scheffler Top 10 Finish | +110 at BetMGM
Scottie is officially defending the first ever title, though many more will come this year. While the field is stacked and competition will be high, odds are plus money and there is no reason to believe Scottie won’t be in the thick of it come Sunday.
He hasn’t played a ton of golf in 2023 but finished T7 and T11 in the two he did play. He is No. 4 in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee which is needed at the WM Phoenix Open. Scottie must putt better than he has this season but that should not be hard to do, even putting average puts him in the conversation on Sunday.
