I so wanted to get JT & Hideki Matsuyama on to my staking plan this week but have decided to pass up on them and chance 3 players that I think might go close instead. I'll cheer on JT and watch Hideki from behind the sofa!
Runner-up last week in Saudi Arabia, Bubba Watson could be rejuvenated and ready to win again on the back of a good result there but also be inspired to do so by his mate, Harold Varner's victory. 43 year old Bubba hasn't won on tour since almost 4 years ago but as Riviera & Augusta approach its no surprise to see his game coming back into form as he relishes those upcoming visits. Bubba should have won this event back in 2014 when losing by a single shot and he missed out again the following year by the same margin too. Just one missed cut here in his last 11 starts with results boasting 5 TOP-5s and a further 2 TOP15s in that spell,it's clear from the results that he does indeed like TPC Scottsdale despite the grief the fans gave him in 2016 following an interview that suggested otherwise. Bubba is a contender here and I think there's some value to be had in the 40/1 - 8 places that is generally available.
I do like the chances of the 2019 champion, Rickie Fowler this week @ 80/1 - 8 places. We've seen many times how a return to a specific course can motivate if not inspire a player to produce a result and Rickie has shown recently that perhaps he's not too far away from a return to form. The nature of the raucous crowd that will be in attendance at the course will suit and Rickie is an ever popular player amongst the fans. He missed the cut last year and finished a lowly 39th in 2020 whilst defending but he did post 11-4-2 the three visits prior to the win. The runner up finish coming via a playoff defeat at the hands of Hideki Matsuyama. He does however arrive here this week on the back of back to back MCs at Torrey Pines & La Quinta but he did post a 3rd place finish at the CJ Cup in Las Vegas.
Lastly, I couldn't resist a play on Alex Noren this week @ 125/1 - 8 places. The Swede hasn't won on the PGA Tour despite taking Jason Day to 6 extra holes at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines just over 4 years ago. He's well capable of breaking the hoodoo on the tour and as he approaches 40 years of age this summer, the Swede has the ball striking game and the calmness or coolness to perform at Scottsdale and go better then his sole visit here in 2018 when finishing 21st the week after that heartbreak at Torrey Pines. Form has been sporadic so far this season but the price makes up for that and I'm happy to chance him here to rise up in Phoenix.
Selections:
2 pts e/w B. Watson @ 40/1 - 8 places
1 pt e/w R. Fowler @ 801 - 8 places
1 pt e/w A. Noren @ 125/1 - 8 places
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