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The "Greatest Show on Grass" returns to TPC Scottsdale with one of the strongest fields of the early season. This week features an impressive lineup of 69 players ranked in the top 100 of the Official World Rankings, including 32 in the top 50.

Leading the charge are four top-ten players: #1 Scottie Scheffler, #7 J.J. Spaun, #8 Xander Schauffele, and #9 Ben Griffin.

The field also includes 19 players in the top 25 on this year’s FedEx Cup point standings led by #1 Chris Gotterup.

The field also includes seven past champions: Nick Taylor (2024), Scottie Scheffler (2022 & 2023), Brooks Koepka (2021 & 2015), Webb Simpson (2020), Rickie Fowler (2019), Gary Woodland (2018), and Hideki Matsuyama (2017 & 2016).

If you’re serious about making the best picks this week, our GolfStats tools have you covered.

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TPC Scottsdale is ready to welcome back the PGA Tour's largest crowds after implementing significant changes to improve the fan experience. By 2024, unruly behavior and excessive drinking had created an unsafe atmosphere, but tournament officials responded with increased police presence, new entrance pathways, improved ticketing, and a zero-tolerance policy for disruptive behavior. The results were transformative, restoring the electric atmosphere without the chaos. Expect around 200,000 fans each day on Friday and Saturday, particularly packed around the famous 16th hole.

With soft greens and minimal wind, TPC Scottsdale could witness the first sub-60 round in tournament history. Nick Taylor shot a first-round 60 in 2024—the lowest opening round ever at TPC Scottsdale. The PGA Tour's 72-hole scoring record of 256 could also fall. Both Mark Calcavecchia (2001) and Phil Mickelson (2013) shot that total, with Mickelson famously lipping out a birdie putt for 59 on his final hole. With current conditions, don't be surprised if someone eclipses these marks.

Speaking of going low…. At 45 years old, Justin Rose delivered one of the most dominant performances in recent PGA Tour history at Torrey Pines, winning wire-to-wire by seven strokes with a tournament-record 265 total. He was first in Greens in Regulation (59 of 72) and made all 44 putts from six feet and in. Since winning at Pebble Beach in 2023, he's finished in the top ten 14 times, including a runner-up at the 2024 British Open. When the majors roll around, especially at Pebble Beach next week and the Masters in April, keep Rose on your radar.

The tournament is being held at TPC Scottsdale's Stadium Course, a par 71 stretching 7,261 yards. Designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, the course was specifically built to host the Phoenix Open with dramatic mounding that accommodates massive crowds. Major renovations in 2016 rebuilt all 18 greens, redid every bunker, and added 250 trees to tighten driving corridors. The course features greens averaging 6,770 square feet and is famous for Hole 16, where Tiger Woods made his legendary hole-in-one in 1998.

Scottie Scheffler

Scheffler's TPC Scottsdale record is otherworldly: two wins (2022, 2023), a T-3rd in 2024, and in his last 20 rounds, he's been over par just once while going 78 under par total. After dominating at the American Express, he enters as the prohibitive favorite with a legitimate 1-in-3 chance of winning his third Phoenix Open in four years.

Brooks Koepka

Don't overlook Koepka after his T-56th at Farmers. His only issue was putting on Poa Annua greens (ranked 74th). TPC Scottsdale features Bermuda greens, which suit him much better. With two Phoenix wins (2015, 2021) and a T-3rd, Koepka spent four hours at the Scotty Cameron studio fixing his stroke and should contend.

Hideki Matsuyama

After winning the Hero World Challenge, Matsuyama posted T-13th at Sony and T-11th at Farmers. His Phoenix resume is impeccable: 12 starts, zero missed cuts, two wins (2016, 2017), a T-2nd, and a T-4th. TPC Scottsdale perfectly suits his elite tee-to-green game. If the putter heats up, he can win his third Phoenix title.

Sahith Theegala

Theegala endured a lost 2025 season due to oblique and neck injuries but has returned healthy with strong finishes: T-31st at Sony, T-8th at American Express, and T-7th at Farmers. His Phoenix history is outstanding—four starts, four cuts made, T-3rd in 2022, and 5th in 2024. At longer odds, Theegala represents excellent value.

Greens in Regulation: Since course changes in 2004-2005, GIR has become the defining stat. Almost every winner since 2008 has ranked in the top six for the week. Last year's champion Thomas Detry ranked first in GIR, hitting 62 of 72 greens. Winners average 75.6% greens in regulation for the week.

Birdie-Making Ability: Winners average 22.8 birdies for the week. Detry made 28 birdies last year. The ability to convert opportunities on birdie-able holes is crucial at TPC Scottsdale.

Par-4 Scoring: This is one of the rare events where scoring on par-4s matters more than par-5s. Every single champion since 1997 has scored better on the 13 par-4s. Last year, Detry was 15 under on par-4s but only 7 under on