Power Rankings: Scheffler Eyes a Three-Peat, but It Won't Be Easy
There's no question about the betting favorite, but there are plenty of challengers on their games this week.
Welcome to Power Rankings, a weekly feature on SI Golf from our partners at KeyCompete. This week the PGA Tour returns to Scottsdale for the Waste Management Phoenix Open. Here’s how the KeyCompete model sees it playing out.
2024 Waste Management Phoenix Open Preview
It’s been dubbed "The Greatest Show on Grass," and the WMPO is again poised to deliver. Its atmosphere, particularly at the par-3 16th hole, is simply unparalleled in the golfing world.
TPC Scottsdale is a masterpiece by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish and opened in 1986. The course has undergone several renovations, the most recent in 2014 under the guidance of Weiskopf himself, to keep the layout both challenging for the professionals and enjoyable for the amateurs. Spanning across 7,261 yards, the par-71 course is a test of accuracy, strategy and nerve, and characterized by large, undulating greens, strategic bunkering, and water hazards on several holes.
2024 KeyCompete WM Phoenix Open Power Rankings
- Scottie Scheffler (+500): The betting favorite with eyes on a three-peat, Scheffler's impeccable ballstriking and recent form make him the player to beat.
- Justin Thomas (+1000): With his aggressive play and ability to go low, Thomas is always a threat. His experience and success on similar courses could help him navigate TPC Scottsdale. Four top 10s here in his last five trips.
- Jordan Spieth (+2000): Spieth's creativity and short game magic make him a crowd favorite and a serious contender. His ability to pull off incredible shots could be the difference-maker.
- Max Homa (+1400): Homa has been on a meteoric rise, with a game that matches well with the course. His confidence and recent performances suggest he could make an impact.
- Byeong Hun An (+2800): Known for his ball striking and solid iron play, An will be returning to TPC Scottsdale for the first time since 2021. Consistency will be key.
- Sahith Theegala (+3500): As a relative newcomer, Theegala has shown he has the game to compete with the best. His fearless approach and ability to adapt could see him make a surprise run. T3 here in 2022.
- Wyndham Clark (+3000): Clark brings a powerful game, with the ability to dominate par-5s. Coming in hot after a win at the rain-shortened AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
- Sam Burns (+2000): Burns has the firepower and the short game to make a statement. If he gets hot, he could easily contend.
- Sungjae Im (+3000): Despite coming off of a rough performance at Pebble Beach, Im is still a top player in this field with a well-rounded game. T6 last year.
- J.T Poston (+3000): Poston enters with a lot of momentum, as his worst finish in four tournaments so far this year is a T20 last week.
About Last Week
The 2024 Pebble Beach Pro-Am unfolded with its usual mix of spectacular golf, celebrity sightings, and the unpredictable nature of coastal weather, culminating in a series of memorable moments that underscored the event's unique place in the golf calendar. At the forefront was Wyndham Clark, whose stellar play throughout the tournament earned him a well-deserved victory, marking a significant achievement in his ascending career.
KeyCompete went 4-3 on its picks, bringing the yearly bet record to 26-14 for a total unit gain of +7.