Who to watch this week at the Waste Management Phoenix Open

This week, the PGA Tour makes it's annually pilgrimage to the TPC Scottsdale for the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Of course, we all know this event has been made more and more famous for the chaos that is the par-three 16th hole.

For many players playing the event for the first time. The 16th hole might seem like stepping into a Roman Coliseum like atmosphere.

It may be the only hole in golf that you a Tour player will get booed on if he hits a bad shot into the green.

Record an ace in front of the amphitheatre surroundings and you are etched into the Phoenix Open's history forever. Joining the likes of Tiger Woods, who aced it back in 1997.

Or Jarrod Lyle, who last year became the eighth player to ever card a hole-in-one on the famed 16th hole.

Though the 16th hole garners most of the attention, the players will of course have play the other 17 holes well, to score a victory in the desert.

Here are a few guys to keep your eyes on this week in Phoenix.

Mark Wilson

After winning the Humana Challenge two weeks ago, the 2011 defending Phoenix Open champion took last week off, for a little early season recharging.

Carding only four bogeys through all four rounds in 2011, Wilson also led the field in greens in regulation.

The five-time PGA Tour winner has also recorded two top-15 finishes in his three other starts here in Phoenix.

Nick Watney

It does seem Watney's name appears a lot on 'players to watch' lists, for good reason. Watney has not finished outside the top-25 in back-to-back starts since 2010.

The Sacramento, California native has posted top-25 finishes three years in a row. Including his tie for fifth at this event in 2011.

Although he struggled last week at the Farmers Insurance Open, look for Watney to bounce back and keep his streak in tact.

Vijay Singh

It seems Singh makes less and less of these types of lists lately. Then before you know it, he posts a top-15 finish like he did last week at Torrey Pines.

The big Fijian has twice lifted the Phoenix Open trophy in victory, in 1995 and 2003. Though has not claimed victory on the PGA Tour since 2008.

Singh has posted top-10 finishes in six of his last 15 appearances in Phoenix, with a Tie for third in 2011.

You may also want to keep an eye on Brandt Snedeker this week in Phoenix as well.

Though he owes a great deal for his win last week to Kyle Stanley's breakdown on No. 18 at the Farmer Insurance Open.

Snedeker still played very well last week and will be carrying that momentum into the desert this week.

1 comment:

  1. Take Nick Watney off the list. He has pulled out of the event due to an illness.

    ReplyDelete