Month: February 2025

Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches

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Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches

The Champion Course

PGA National

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

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Top of the Board (odds via Bet365)

Shane Lowry and Daniel Berger would lead my card. Both have had a taste here, and both players have played well on the West Coast to start the season, each with a runner-up finish.

Russell Henley returned last year with T41 after back-to-back Top 10 paydays in 2021-22. The Georgia-Florida contingent should be littering the leaderboard.

Luke Clanton needs to make the cut to earn enough points through PGA TOUR U to secure his TOUR card for later this summer. He won last week in Panama City playing for Florida State University.

Players to consider for Top 10, Top 20, or Top 40 action:

Ben An, Taylor Moore, and course horse Keith Mitchell should fill plenty of cards this week.

Longer shots Ryan Gerard, Chan Kim, and Gary Woodland can produce.

Luke Donald was an AUTO PLAY a decade ago here. Let’s see if he can sneak into the weekend and the top 40.

Zach Johnson is also a frequent weekender around here, including T21 and T12 the last two years.

NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseThe Champion Course
Yards (per official scorecard):7,167
Par:71 (35-36).
Greens:TifEagle Bermuda; 7,000 square feet.
Stimpmeter:12 feet.
Rough:Overseeded ryegrass at 2.5 inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play60/20/15
Architect(s):George Fazio (1981); Jack Nicklaus (2002, 2014 redesign; 2018).
Defending Champion (event):Austin Eckroat (-17)
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:Zero in 18 events at this course.
Course Record:61; Brian Harman (2012) only player entered to post this score.
72 Hole Tournament Record17-under (Par-71) Austin Eckroat 14-under (Par-70) Chris Kirk and Eric Cole 2023.
Fact of the Week:4 of the last 6 winners are first-time TOUR champions.
Fact of the Week II:3 of the last 6 winners played college golf at UGA.

The biggest defenses of the course are the Florida breeze and water penalty areas seemingly everywhere. Better be able to shape and control the golf ball.

Jack Nicklaus is the only player to win this event in consecutive seasons on the same course (1977, 1978).

Nobody has won twice since moving to The Champion Course (19th edition 2025).

A dry February produced less than an inch of rain before .65 inches fell this week.

Notes:

  • Field of 144.
  • The cut will be made after 36 holes. The top 65 and ties play the weekend.
  • The OWGR is represented by 16 of the top 50.
  • $9.2 million – $1.656 million – 500 FedExCup points – Sentry, PLAYERS, and Masters ticket punched.

Recent Winners

  • 2025 Season Winners
EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (first time)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaWorldBrian Campbell (first time)
  • 2024 Season Winners
EventWinner
The SentryChris Kirk
Sony Open in HawaiiGrayson Murray (Rest in Peace)
The American ExpressNick Dunlap (a)
Farmers Insurance OpenMatthieu Pavon (rookie)
AT&T Pebble BeachWyndham Clark (54 holes)
WM Phoenix OpenNick Taylor
The Genesis InvitationalHideki Matsuyama
Mexico Open at VidantaJake Knapp (rookie)
Cognizant ClassicAustin Eckroat (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipPeter Malnati
Texas Children’s Houston OpenStephan Jaeger (first time)
Valero Texas OpenAkshay Bhatia
88th Masters TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC HeritageScottie Scheffler (4)
Zurich ClassicRory McIlroy & Shane Lowry
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonTaylor Pendrith (first time)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipRory McIlroy (2)
106th PGA ChampionshipXander Schauffele
Charles Schwab ChallengeDavis Riley
RBC Canadian OpenRobert MacIntyre (first time)
The 49th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (5)
124th United States OpenBryson DeChambeau
Travelers ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicCam Davis
John Deere ClassicDavis Thompson (first time)
Genesis Scottish OpenRobert MacIntyre (2)
152nd Open ChampionshipXander Schauffele (2)
3M OpenJhonattan Vegas
2024 Paris OlympicsScottie Scheffler (7)
3M OpenJhonattan Vegas
Wyndham ChampionshipAaron Rai (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipHideki Matsuyama (2)
BMW ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
The TOUR ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (8)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipPatton Kizzire
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipKevin Yu (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMatt McCarty (first time)
Shriners Children’s OpenJT Poston
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIPNico Echavarria
World Wide Technology ChampAustin Eckroat (2)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampRafa Campos (first time)
The RSM ClassicMaverick McNealy (first time)

Recent Winners – Cognizant Classic

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2024Austin Eckroat (-17)Making his second start, he set the new standard for scoring at the now Par-71 track. Won by 3 and became the fourth first-time winner in six events.
2023Chris Kirk (-14)Needed an extra hole to defeat Eric Cole and produce the lowest winning total on the Par-70 layout in its final season.
2022Sepp Straka (-10)Outlasted Shane Lowry, Kurt Kitayama, and Daniel Berger in a deluge late on Sunday to win for the first time on TOUR.
2021Matt Jones (-12)Won by five in the big breezes.
2020Sungjae Im (-6)Became the youngest winner (21 yrs) and won for the first time on TOUR.
2019Keith Mitchell (-9)Held off Rickie Fowler by a shot to add his name to the list of four UGA Bulldog winners since 2014.

Notables

  • Brian Harman (+6500), another UGA grad, is one of two players to post 61, the course record, and is the only player to sign for this score in the field this week.
  • From 2018 through 2022, The Champion Course ranked in the top 10 most difficult courses on TOUR. The last two years, it ranked as the easiest of the four courses on The Florida Swing.
  • 15 holes provide water penalty areas.
  • The fairways have been reduced from 32 yards in width to 28 yards across on average. Two and a half inches of overseeded ryegrass awaits when the fairways are missed.
  • The last five winners have ranked T7 or better in GIR.
  • TifEagle Bermudagrass greens average 7,00 square feet and will run 12 feet on the Stimpmeter.
  • Eckroat is the only winner since 2014 to rank outside the top 20 in Scrambling.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy gets kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee Thursday).

1 use per year.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
The SentrySungjae Im3rd$1,360,000
Sony Open in HawaiiRussell HenleyT10195,025
The American ExpressAdam HadwinMC 
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3252,080
AT&T Pebble BeachLudvig AbergWD 
WM Phoenix OpenRasmus HojgaardT12195,500
Genesis InvitationalWill ZalatorisT24168,857
Mexico OpenPatrick RodgersT2559,350

LAST WEEK – Mexico Open at Vidanta

MY CHOICE: Patrick Rodgers – T25

He was one of two players in the top 25 to post a round ABOVE par (72) on Sunday.

The only upside from another terrible selection is that I have Bhatia to use down the road.

We go again.

This Week – Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches

MY CHOICE: Daniel Berger

The Floridian just pips Lowry for the top spot this week. I’ll focus on the Irishman as McIlroy’s partner in New Orleans or use him across the pond. Berger knows this layout better than most, and I will argue he probably should have won here twice already. Running second at TPC Scottsdale, I don’t have to worry about him finding form in front of friends and family this week.

Just Missed

Shane Lowry, Russell Henley, Cameron Young, Luke Clanton

Mexico Open at VidantaWorld

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Mexico Open at VidantaWolrd

Greg Norman Signature Course at Vidanta Vallarta

Vallarta, Mexico

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Top of the Board (odds via Bet365)

Akshay Bhatia (+1200): Supreme coastal/wind player, has all the shots and is the class of the field for my money. Easy to see why he’s on top.

Rasmus Hojgaard (+1400): I prefer him in the desert.

Kurt Kitayama (+2200): Another desert star, his putter will have to keep up with his fantastic ball-striking.

Patrick Rodgers (+2500): The current form meets course form. What could possibly go wrong?!?!?

Stephan Jaeger (+2500): Nothing worse than T18 from three starts includes T3 last year.

Sam Stevens (+2500): He should be ready pop. Cashed in his last 13 on TOUR and decent on the surface. Gave it a run against the big boys last week as well.

Michael Kim (+2800): After bombing out at the FIO in late January, he cashed T13 last week after running second, albeit seven shots back of Detry, in Phoenix.

Players to consider for Top 10, Top 20, or Top 40 action:

Taylor Moore (+3000): All you can get.

Justin Lower (+5000): More than you need, plus one.

Jacob Bridgeman (+6600): Incredible on the surface. Incredibly soft number here, boooooooooo.

Thorbjorn Olesen (+6600): His grass.

Antoine Rozner (+8000): Four of his last seven starts worldwide are top-10 results, including a solo fourth in Qatar his last time out.

Nate Lashley or Emiliano Grillo (+12500): Both veterans and winners on this surface.

Rafa Campos (+50000): Yes, please.

NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseGreg Norman Signature Course at Vidanta Vallarta
Yards (per official scorecard):7,436.
Par:71 (35-36).
Greens:Platinum Paspalum; 7,000 square feet.
Stimpmeter:11 feet.
Rough:Platinum Paspalum at 2.5 inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play106/14/12
Architect(s):Greg Norman (2015).
Defending Champion (event):Jake Knapp (-19)
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:N/A
Course Record:61; Jon Rahm (Round 3, 2023).
72 Hole Tournament Record260; Tony Finau (2023).
Fact of the Week:Knapp won in only his ninth TOUR start.
Fact of the Week II:Paspalum for the first time since El Cardonal last fall.

The 65th edition of the Mexico Open tees off at Greg Norman’s Signature Course at Vidanta Vallarta.

The Australian’s coastal design, located just off the Pacific Ocean, opened in 2015.  Playing 7,436 yards to Par 71, the track features tee-to-green Platinum Paspalum.

Back for the second consecutive February edition, the forecast is outstanding for the four tournament days.

Without a plethora of course history, I suggest you read Horses for Courses at pgatour.com for more insight.

The resort course provides massive landing areas off the fairway to account for everyday players and the ocean breezes off the Pacific Ocean.

The Paspalum putting surfaces, 7,000 square feet, on average, will be prepped to run at just 11 feet.

Errant tee balls and approaches must steer clear of over 100 bunkers and water hazards found on 12 of 18 holes.

One of the biggest ballparks around, even with 20 yards shaved off the scorecard, Vidanta Vallarta has five Par-3 and four Par-5 holes. The course also features two holes (No. 10 and No. 16) as two of the toughest scoring chances on TOUR.

Notes:

  • Field of 132.
  • The cut will be made after 36 holes. The top 65 and ties play the weekend.
  • The OWGR is represented by four of the top 50.
  • $7 million – $1.26 million – 500 FedExCup points – Sentry, PLAYERS, and Masters ticket punched.

Recent Winners

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (first time)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg

2024 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryChris Kirk
Sony Open in HawaiiGrayson Murray (Rest in Peace)
The American ExpressNick Dunlap (a)
Farmers Insurance OpenMatthieu Pavon (rookie)
AT&T Pebble BeachWyndham Clark (54 holes)
WM Phoenix OpenNick Taylor
The Genesis InvitationalHideki Matsuyama
Mexico Open at VidantaJake Knapp (rookie)
Cognizant ClassicAustin Eckroat (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipPeter Malnati
Texas Children’s Houston OpenStephan Jaeger (first time)
Valero Texas OpenAkshay Bhatia
88th Masters TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC HeritageScottie Scheffler (4)
Zurich ClassicRory McIlroy & Shane Lowry
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonTaylor Pendrith (first time)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipRory McIlroy (2)
106th PGA ChampionshipXander Schauffele
Charles Schwab ChallengeDavis Riley
RBC Canadian OpenRobert MacIntyre (first time)
The 49th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (5)
124th United States OpenBryson DeChambeau
Travelers ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicCam Davis
John Deere ClassicDavis Thompson (first time)
Genesis Scottish OpenRobert MacIntyre (2)
152nd Open ChampionshipXander Schauffele (2)
3M OpenJhonattan Vegas
2024 Paris OlympicsScottie Scheffler (7)
3M OpenJhonattan Vegas
Wyndham ChampionshipAaron Rai (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipHideki Matsuyama (2)
BMW ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
The TOUR ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (8)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipPatton Kizzire
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipKevin Yu (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMatt McCarty (first time)
Shriners Children’s OpenJT Poston
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIPNico Echavarria
World Wide Technology ChampAustin Eckroat (2)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampRafa Campos (first time)
The RSM ClassicMaverick McNealy (first time)

Recent Winners – Mexico Open at Vidanta

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2024Jake Knapp (-19)The rookie led by four after 54 holes and won comfortably by two shots over Sami Valimaki.
2023Tony Finau (-24)Rolled to a three-shot victory over Rahm.
2022Jon Rahm (-17)Held off Tony Finau and Brandon Wu by one shot. None of these players are entered.

Angles

The eighth event of the 2024 PGA TOUR season will be the first of two in Mexico this year. El Cardonal in Los Cabos will return in the fall to host for the second time.

The combination of a Greg Norman track and Mexico was in play at Mayakoba on the Yucatan Peninsula from 2007 through 2022.

Paspalum is a common playing surface in the resorts of the Caribbean and Mexico. PGA TOUR events played recently on Paspalum include El Cardonal, Puerto Rico Open, Corales Puntacana, and Mayakoba. Korn Ferry Tour players have experienced this surface in two events in the Bahamas.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy get kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee Thursday).

1 use per year.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
The SentrySungjae Im3rd$1,360,000
Sony Open in HawaiiRussell HenleyT10195,025
The American ExpressAdam HadwinMC 
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3252,080
AT&T Pebble BeachLudvig AbergWD 
WM Phoenix OpenRasmus HojgaardT12195,500
Genesis InvitationalWill ZalatorisT24168,857

LAST WEEK – Genesis Invitational

MY CHOICE: Will Zalatoris – T24

Making the cut on +3, I knew I was toast before the weekend started.

I should have just blindly stuck Tony Finau in, oh look, another top 10, another top 25…

Is this over yet?

This Week – Mexico Open at Vidanta

Patrick Rodgers

Fresh off a sniff in the big leagues of a Signature Event, it’s time to finally kick down the door to victory. Since he probably won’t, I’d also look at:

Justin Lower

Kurt Kitayama

Sam Stevens

Any of the Gaards

And of course, Karl Vilips

Genesis Invitational

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Genesis Invitational

Torrey Pines Golf Course

South Course

La Jolla, California

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Chalk

My thoughts on the top players for betting purposes:

Scottie Scheffler: The front and back nines last Sunday created more questions than answers. Playing for the third week in a row, I would expect a more linear path on the weekend.

Rory McIlroy: Sticking the hottest player on the planet on a course that rewards his skillset is a no-brainer. He’s dominated Quail Hollow Club since 2010, and Torrey South is in that category.

Collin Morikawa: Hyper accurate off the tee, familiar grass will also help.

Justin Thomas: He’s tired of firing late on Sunday to play catch up. Let’s see if he breaks the streak of every other week after T6 in Arizona.

Hideki Matsuyama: Plenty of pop tee to green, but his short game might be the difference this week.

Ludvig Aberg: Thankfully, I’ve used all of my tokens on this ride. Is he sick? Healthy? Ready? Let me know.

Patrick Cantlay: I’ll be interested to see if he heats up in Florida. Plays well where he plays well and Torrey ain’t it.

Sungjae Im: Top 10s in three of his last four. Go.

Tommy Fleetwood: Big, long, and wet is how Torrey will play this week. The Englishman will need his litany of short-game magic to deliver to contend.

Taylor Pendrith: Hit it, find it, hit it again. Back-to-back top 10 paydays with seven of eight-weekend rounds par or better. Super putter.

Tony Finau: Two missed cuts and two top 10s in his last four here. Never worse than T24.

Shane Lowry: Battering the sprinkler line is never a bad plan. Only McIlroy was better at Pebble Beach.

NOW PLAYING: Torrey Pines South Golf Course

Host CourseSouth Course
Yards (per official scorecard):7,765.
Par:72 (32-36).
Greens:Poa annua; 5,000 square feet on average.
Stimpmeter:13 feet and up.
Rough:Overseeded Rye and Poa annua around FOUR inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play82/1/1 (a pond in front of No. 18)
Architect(s):William F. Bell and William P. Bell. (1957).
Defending Champion (event):Hideki Matsuyama.
Defending Champion (course):Harris English.
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:Jason Day (2018, 2015).
Course Record:61; Tiger Woods (1999).
72 Hole Tournament Record (Torey Pines South)22-under; Tiger Woods (1999).
Fact of the Week:The Genesis Invitational was moved from The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades to Torrey Pines because of the January wildfires. All information this week is based on COURSE, not event.
Fact of the Week II:Harris English is the only American winner in the 2025 season, and he won on this track in late January at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Notes:

  • Field of 72.
  • THE 36-HOLE CUT returns this week. The Signature Events with player hosts (Genesis, Arnold Palmer, Memorial) will cut to the top 50 and ties, plus anyone within 10 shots of the lead.
  • The OWGR is represented by 46 of the top 50.
  • $20 million – $4 million – 700 FedExCup points – Sentry, PLAYERS, and Masters ticket punched.

For those of you who do not read Horses for Courses at pgatour.com, you should.

The Genesis Invitational is annually played at The Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades. I’m not referring to any past performances on a course that is NOT BEING USED this week.

Right, Hideki Matsuyama is the event defending champion and closed with 62 last year. The course they play is more important than the name of the event.

Recent Winners

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (first time)

2024 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryChris Kirk
Sony Open in HawaiiGrayson Murray (Rest in Peace)
The American ExpressNick Dunlap (a)
Farmers Insurance OpenMatthieu Pavon (rookie)
AT&T Pebble BeachWyndham Clark (54 holes)
WM Phoenix OpenNick Taylor
The Genesis InvitationalHideki Matsuyama
Mexico Open at VidantaJake Knapp (rookie)
Cognizant ClassicAustin Eckroat (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipPeter Malnati
Texas Children’s Houston OpenStephan Jaeger (first time)
Valero Texas OpenAkshay Bhatia
88th Masters TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC HeritageScottie Scheffler (4)
Zurich ClassicRory McIlroy & Shane Lowry
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonTaylor Pendrith (first time)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipRory McIlroy (2)
106th PGA ChampionshipXander Schauffele
Charles Schwab ChallengeDavis Riley
RBC Canadian OpenRobert MacIntyre (first time)
The 49th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (5)
124th United States OpenBryson DeChambeau
Travelers ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicCam Davis
John Deere ClassicDavis Thompson (first time)
Genesis Scottish OpenRobert MacIntyre (2)
152nd Open ChampionshipXander Schauffele (2)
3M OpenJhonattan Vegas
2024 Paris OlympicsScottie Scheffler (7)
3M OpenJhonattan Vegas
Wyndham ChampionshipAaron Rai (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipHideki Matsuyama (2)
BMW ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
The TOUR ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (8)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipPatton Kizzire
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipKevin Yu (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMatt McCarty (first time)
Shriners Children’s OpenJT Poston
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIPNico Echavarria
World Wide Technology ChampAustin Eckroat (2)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampRafa Campos (first time)
The RSM ClassicMaverick McNealy (first time)

Recent Winners – Farmers Insurance Open

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2025Harris English (-9)Defeated Sam Stevens by a shot to win for the fifth time on TOUR.
2024Matthieu Pavon (-13)Won in his first appearance. Won for the first time on TOUR.
2023Max Homa (-13)Held off Keegan Bradley by two.
2022Luke List (-15)Defeated Will Zalatoris in a playoff.
2021Patrick Reed (-14)Lapped the field by five shots.
2020Marc Leishman (-15)Won by a shot.
2019Justin Rose (-21)Missed tying the tournament scoring record by one. Adam Scott was second at 19-under.
2018Jason Day (-10)Won for the second time and won for the second time in a playoff.
2017Jon Ram (-13)Won for the first time on TOUR and is the last person to win in their 20s.
2016Brandt Snedeker (-6)Didn’t strike a ball on Monday after bad weather wiped most of Sunday’s round.
2015Jason Day (-9)Won a four-man playoff to kick off his best year on TOUR.

Players to consider for Top 10, Top 20, or Top 40 action:

Much better in the desert. 5 players in the top 25, highlighted by Taylor Moore and T9.

Course Horses Jason Day, Tony Finau, and Sam Stevens (!?!?) should run well this week.

Will Zalatoris, Rasmus Hojgaard, and Keegan Bradley will not have to rely on hot putters to keep up.

Gary Woodland, Cam Davis, and Min Woo Lee all have enough firepower to shorten this beast.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy gets kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee on Thursday).

1 use per year.

LAST WEEK – WM Phoenix Open

MY CHOICE: Rasmus Hojgaard – T12

I’d mention that he played in the final three-ball but that would just open an old wound.

I was ready for a final round 74, but his birdie at the last made me a few dollars.

Thomas Detry, Daniel Berger, and Mike Kim were not on my radar, so I’ll gladly take the second-best finisher in the OAD game this week.

I also didn’t have to burn Justin Thomas like some of the others.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
The SentrySungjae Im3rd$1,360,000
Sony Open in HawaiiRussell HenleyT10195,025
The American ExpressAdam HadwinMC 
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3252,080
AT&T Pebble BeachLudvig AbergWD 
WM Phoenix OpenRasmus HojgaardT12195,500

THIS WEEK – Genesis Invitational

Big purse.

Big win ticket compared to other Signature Events. $4 million instead of $3.6 million.

Biiiigggggggggggggggg course, the longest used on TOUR.

Hideki Matsuyama and Rory McIlroy are the Signature Event winners so far and I wouldn’t be surprised to see another household name holding the trophy again this week.

I need somebody who can smash it, putt Poa annua, scramble, and grind out pars over a long, wet track.

MY CHOICE: Will Zalatoris

Let’s try this again.

I ran him out for the Farmers but he WD before the event started and Jason Day took his spot.

I have no worries about his course form and I was encouraged to see 68-69 to close at Pebble Beach his last time out.

Others to consider:

Keegan Bradley, Taylor Pendrith, Hideki Matsuyama, Sam Stevens

WM Phoenix Open

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WM Phoenix Open

The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale

Scottsdale, Arizona

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Chalk

My thoughts on the top players for betting purposes:

Scottie Scheffler (+260): If he’s in the field, he has my attention. At less than 3-1, I’m hesitant, but this field does not have the depth of Pebble Beach. Without the pressure to win three in a row, I’d be shocked if he finished outside the top 10.

Justin Thomas (+1400): Play him in the “without Scheffler” market. Desert dog and course horse, just not on the level of Scheffler. Who is? Also a winner at Waialae CC.

Hideki Matsuyama (+1600): A two-time winner like Scheffler, the Japanese star is the only player in the top three with a win this year. Nobody has accused Matsuyama or Scheffler of being lights-out putters but they are both winners here twice.

Sam Burns (+2500): A super putter, he’ll enjoy the large targets approaching the greens. The largest greens on TOUR at Kapalua produced at T8 cash in January.

Sungjae Im (+2500): The Korean’s history at the event matches his early 2025 results, top finishes and head-scratchers.

Tom Kim (+2800): Hit the ball, already! Eight rounds here produced four rounds in the 70s and four rounds in the 60s.

NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseThe Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale
Yards (per official scorecard):7,261.
Par:71 (35-36).
Greens:Poa annua; 7,100 square feet on average.
Stimpmeter:12 feet.
Rough:Overseeded Rye and Poa annua around two inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play67/3/6
Architect(s):Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish (1986); Tom Weiskopf (2014 renovation).
Defending Champion (event):Nick Taylor (-21)*
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:Scheffler (2023, 2022); Hideki Matsuyama (2017, 2016).
Course Record:60; Nick Taylor, Round 1 (2024).
72 Hole Tournament Record (post-2014 renovation)21-under; Nick Taylor & Charley Hoffman (2024).
Fact of the Week:Taylor became the fourth international winner this century.
Fact of the Week II:Only two players have won on debut this century.

Notes:

  • Field of 132.
  • THE CUT returns this week. The top 65 and ties advance to the final two rounds.
  • The OWGR is represented by 28 of the top 50.
  • $9.2 million – $1.656 million – 500 FedExCup points – Sentry, PLAYERS, and Masters ticket punched.

Recent Winners

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy

2024 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryChris Kirk
Sony Open in HawaiiGrayson Murray (Rest in Peace)
The American ExpressNick Dunlap (a)
Farmers Insurance OpenMatthieu Pavon (rookie)
AT&T Pebble BeachWyndham Clark (54 holes)
WM Phoenix OpenNick Taylor
The Genesis InvitationalHideki Matsuyama
Mexico Open at VidantaJake Knapp (rookie)
Cognizant ClassicAustin Eckroat (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipPeter Malnati
Texas Children’s Houston OpenStephan Jaeger (first time)
Valero Texas OpenAkshay Bhatia
88th Masters TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC HeritageScottie Scheffler (4)
Zurich ClassicRory McIlroy & Shane Lowry
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonTaylor Pendrith (first time)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipRory McIlroy (2)
106th PGA ChampionshipXander Schauffele
Charles Schwab ChallengeDavis Riley
RBC Canadian OpenRobert MacIntyre (first time)
The 49th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (5)
124th United States OpenBryson DeChambeau
Travelers ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicCam Davis
John Deere ClassicDavis Thompson (first time)
Genesis Scottish OpenRobert MacIntyre (2)
152nd Open ChampionshipXander Schauffele (2)
3M OpenJhonattan Vegas
2024 Paris OlympicsScottie Scheffler (7)
3M OpenJhonattan Vegas
Wyndham ChampionshipAaron Rai (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipHideki Matsuyama (2)
BMW ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
The TOUR ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (8)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipPatton Kizzire
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipKevin Yu (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMatt McCarty (first time)
Shriners Children’s OpenJT Poston
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIPNico Echavarria
World Wide Technology ChampAustin Eckroat (2)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampRafa Campos (first time)
The RSM ClassicMaverick McNealy (first time)

Recent Winners – WM Phoenix Open

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2024Nick Taylor (-21)Held off Charley Hoffman to become the sixth winner in the last nine to need extra holes.
2023Scottie Scheffler (-19)Tied the tournament scoring record defending his title. Won by two shots over Nick Taylor. Third place was five back.
2022Scottie Scheffler (-16)Defeated Patrick Cantlay in a playoff to win for the first time on TOUR.
2021Brooks Koepka (-19)Matched the tournament scoring mark holding off KH Lee and Xander Schauffele by a shot.
2020Webb Simpson (-17)Defeated Tony Finau in a playoff.
2019Rickie Fowler (-19)Tied the tournament scoring record by defending his title. Won by two shots over Nick Taylor. Third place was five back.
2018Gary Woodland (-18)Defeated Chez Reavie in a playoff; Circled 26 birdies.
2017Hideki Matsuyama    (-17)Successfully defended his title knocking out Simpson in a playoff.
2016Hideki Matsuyama     (-14)Won in his third attempt defeating Fowler in a playoff.
2105Brooks Koepka (-15)Won on his debut and won for the first time on TOUR.

Notables

  • The highest winning total since 2015 is 15-under-par.
  • Eight of the last 10 winners have ranked T6 or better in Ball-Striking.
  • Taylor and Matsuyama join Aaron Baddeley (2007) and Vijay Singh (2003) as the only international winners this century.
  • Only two players won on debut this century, including 23-year-old J.B. Holmes (not entered) in 2006 and none since 2015.
  • Holmes and Matsuyama are the youngest winners at 23.
  • Kenny Perry (not entered) is the oldest winner at 48 in 2009.
  • Tom Weiskopf designs feature on TOUR at TPC Craig Ranch, where K.H. Lee (+27000) has won twice, and Black Desert, where Matt McCarty (+30000) won in the fall of 2024.
  • Every winner in the last decade ranked T11 or better in Greens in Regulation.

Players to consider for Top 10, Top 20, or Top 40 action:

After a DISASTER last week, let’s try and rebound, eh?

Sepp Straka (+4000): In the fight most of the weekend at Pebble Beach, he’s already a winner this season in the desert.

Sahith Theegala (+4000): This will be the week he gets the train back on the tracks. T3 on debut and solo fifth last year.

Rasmus Hojgaard (+5000): T22 last week to break the jet lag. Shit-fire hot across the world since last year.

Nick Taylor (+6000): Even as the defending champion, he knows he’s not the star of the show. And he’s fine with that.

Luke Clanton (+6000): If he makes the cut, he gets his PGA TOUR card.

Si Woo Kim (+5500): Trending at the event.

Sam Stevens (+7000): Stick a top 10 ticket here.

Lee Hodges (+10000): Look up his recent form and remember he has big targets to aim for this week.

Taylor Moore (+10000): Rounding into form and a solid performer in the desert.

Eric Cole (+12500): Too big of a number to pass up for a top 10, top 20.

KH Lee (+22500): Twice a winner at TPC Craig Ranch, a Tom Weiskopf design.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy gets kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee Thursday).

1 use per year.

With EIGHT Signature Events spread out throughout the season, player management becomes a major issue. These events do NOT include the four majors or THE PLAYERS Championship. These events do NOT include the FedExCup Playoffs. This game ends with the BMW Championship.

Sign up here

LAST WEEK – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

MY CHOICE: Ludvig Aberg – WD

For the second week in a row, my selection withdrew.

This time, he played a round and THEN quit, leaving me no recourse.

Did I mention it was a no-cut event?

My backup choices were shit as well.

I guess I was distracted being there.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
The SentrySungjae Im3rd$1,360,000
Sony Open in HawaiiRussell HenleyT10195,025
The American ExpressAdam HadwinMC 
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3252,080
AT&T Pebble BeachLudvig AbergWD 

THIS WEEK – WM Phoenix Open

The shitshow in the desert of Scottsdale has paid off veterans and young, up-and-comers alike.

Although disappointed with my last three weeks, this game will be won and lost with THE PLAYERS, four majors, and the first two events of the FedExCup Playoffs.

It’s not time to panic, yet.

MY CHOICE: Rasmus Hojgaard

Right.

Take the new guy on some of the friendlier greens on TOUR to putt. I have no qualms about the way he hits it or his current form. Also, I’m not burning Scheffler or Matsuyama with this purse.

You do you.

Others to consider:

Sam Burns, Tom Kim, Sepp Straka, Kurt Kitayama, Lee Hodges