The PGA Tour returns to a full field format this week as the world’s best head to TPC Scottsdale in Arizona to take on the Stadium Course.
The number one ranked golfer in the world Scottie Scheffler will tee it up for a second straight week and is a heavy favorite this week in the WM Phoenix Open odds.
Long shots should be a major factor this week, as the WM Phoenix Open has a long history of seeing those with longer odds walk away with the title.
With a full field this week make sure to pay close attention to the WM Phoenix Open projected cut line as only the top 65 players, plus ties, will make it through to play on the weekend.
WM Phoenix Open Sleeper Picks
Maverick McNealy (+6500 with FanDuel Sportsbook)
These West Coast events are ripe for the taking for 29-year-old Maverick McNealy who has a knack for performing well on desert tracks.
McNealy recorded his first career PGA Tour victory last season by winning the RSM Classic and his second win shouldn’t be too far away from now. A sixth-place finisher here last season, McNealy opened with a 65-67 start but couldn’t hold on over the weekend shooting 71-67 to wrap up the event.
McNealy has been on a rapid ascent up the official world golf rankings as he now sits with a 27th place rating.
Maverick McNealy has made the cut in seven straight events dating back to last season and with three top eight finishes in that stretch, including his first career victory, look out for McNealy this week as his current form makes him a serious player to contend.
Akshay Bhatia (+7500 with FanDuel Sportsbook)
Sitting 30th in the official world golf rankings, Akshay Bhatia arrives in Arizona in search of his third career PGA Tour victory in just his third full year on tour.
With wins in each of his first two seasons, first as a rookie in 2023 at the Barracuda Championship and then last season at the Valero Texas Open, Bhatia is looking to make it three years in a row with a victory and Arizona could make for the perfect setting for that.
In two events this season he hasn’t shot over par and that will be key this week as he looks to build off his tie for 22nd finish at last weeks AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
When looking at the list of longshots this week, keep a close eye on the young American as he looks to crash the top of the leaderboard.
Billy Horschel (+7500 with FanDuel Sportsbook)
Veteran Billy Horschel is a fixture over his career at the WM Phoenix Open and makes for an excellent sleeper pick this week on a course he has done almost everything except for win on.
Having missed the cut just once in 12 appearances, Horschel has five top 25’s and two top 10 finishes over his career at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course.
The eight-time PGA Tour winner has registered a victory in three of the last four seasons and when he does win it generally comes at longer odds.
Having missed just one cut since last July, the 38-year-old has recorded four top 10 finishes over his last nine events and is ready to make it four wins in the last five seasons.
Jordan Spieth (+9000 with bet365 Sportsbook)
After returning to the PGA Tour last week for the first time since the last seasons FedEx St. Jude Championship in August, Jordan Spieth looked a little underwhelming en route to a tie for 69th place finish.
However, this pick is all about course knowledge and experience and the 13-time PGA Tour winner certainly has that when it comes to the WM Phoenix Open.
In eight career starts Spieth has recorded five top 10’s and has finished tied for sixth place in each of the last two editions of the event.
While it has certainly been a struggle over the last few years for the 31-year-old who now sits 84th in the official world golf rankings, his veteran savvy around TPC Scottsdale could be good enough to see him end his close to three-year winless drought.
Charley Hoffman (+12000 with FanDuel Sportsbook)
Fan-favorite Charley Hoffman is in action this week as the 48-year-old continues to search for his first victory on the PGA Tour in almost a decade.
Hoffman last won on the big tour in 2016 and there have been several close calls since that win at Valero Texas Open. Hoffman is no stranger to the Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale having registered two second place finishes here during his career.
With 15 years between those finishes, first in 2009 and then last year in 2024, Hoffman has proved that he is certainly a fan of the Arizona course.
On top of his two runner-up finishes, Hoffman has recorded an additional two top 20 results and three top 30 results in 18 career appearances at the event.
While it may be a stretch to see the veteran return to the winner’s circle, if it is going to happen anywhere then the WM Phoenix Open is the ideal track for the veteran golfer.
