Back to win: Jordan Spieth –
Spieth has never finished higher than seventh at this event, but this could be the year he breaks through at a course that suits his game.
It’s imperative that to hit the greens at TPC Scottsdale – two-time defending champion Hideki Matsuyama ranked first and second in GIR in 2016 and 2017 – and that plays perfectly to Spieth’s strengths.
The 24-year-old is currently first in GIR on the PGA Tour and ranked fourth last year.
A T7 and T9 in two starts here isn’t a bad record, but Spieth has the class to dominate this event and is well worth backing at this price.
Each-way shout: Webb Simpson –
Simpson finished second in Phoenix in 2017 and has placed inside the top 15 in each of his last five starts at this event.
Last year, the 32-year-old closed with rounds of 65 and 64 over the weekend before losing to Matsuyama in a play-off, and would have won had he not carded a disappointing 71 on Friday.
A former US Open champion and four-time winner on the PGA Tour, Simpson has proven that he can win big tournaments and has the game to perform well at this course.
He made a good start to the season with a T4 at the Sony Open three weeks ago, and is a solid bet to contend again this weekend.
Outside shot: Ryan Palmer –
Palmer made a fast start at Torrey Pines last week, leading after two days before two rounds in the 70s saw him miss out in a play-off.
The American should bounce back from that disappointment with a strong showing at TPC Scottsdale, where he has had success in the past.
Palmer finished fifth in Phoenix in 2013, and followed that up with a T2 two years later, as he lost out to Brooks Koepka by a single shot.
The 41-year-old is worth a punt to win given the form he’s in, and is worth a bet to lead after the first round at after opening with a 64 here in 2015.
