WM Phoenix Open expert picks for matchup best bets on PGA Tour this week

PGA Tour expert picks for the WM Phoenix Open as we run through our best bets for the tournament matchups this week at TPC Scottsdale.

If you’re ready for the PGA Tour’s party on the yearly schedule, then tune in for the WM Phoenix Open from TPC Scottsdale this week. This is a crowd that loves to make noise, at the 16th hole particularly, and get involved in the action in a big way. But what’s the fun in just watching it. Why not make some money as well?

We’ve already run through picks to win and best bets for Top X finishes in addition to previewing the DraftKings DFS slate. Now, we’re going to look at the matchups for the WM Phoenix Open and try to get more winners.

Before we get into the matchup picks, please take this to heart: These are tournament-long picks and not Round 1 matchups. Don’t chirp me if someone is behind after Thursday — give it time. Now, onto the matchups.

Note: All odds are courtesy of WynnBet. For more betting picks and advice, check out BetSided.

WM Phoenix Open expert picks: Matchup best bets for the tournament

Viktor Hovland (+100) over Patrick Cantlay

Let’s just bet the farm on Hovland this week, right? I have him in my DraftKings lineup, he’s my pick to win this week and he’s won three of his last five starts worldwide. Need I say more?

Well, probably, because he’s the underdog in this matchup against Cantlay. Both of these players have been playing extremely well. The big factor for me, though, is that Hovland (though he missed the cut) has played here before. Cantlay, on the other hand, has not. With Hovland having the better odds and with his recent form, I think he’s well worth the sprinkle in this spot.

Bubba Watson (+100) over Louis Oosthuizen

You could almost call this a pseudo-home-field advantage for Watson, even if he’s not from Arizona. Bubba has terrific feels at TPC Scottsdale — beyond just loving the rowdy crowd — as he has one missed cut here playing every year dating back to 2009 in addition to no other finish outside the top 40 in addition to five top-five finishes.

Contrarily, we know how good Louis Oosthuizen was last year but he hasn’t played in a tournament since November. I don’t like that rust factor and getting even odds for Watson at a place where he’s gone T-4, T-3 and T-22 over the past three years feels like a great call for me.

Sam Burns (+110) over Daniel Berger

I’ve had Burns as part of everything pick-related for this tournament, so this shouldn’t be all that surprising to anyone who’s been keeping up. He’s an elite ball-striker due to regress back to a positive mean after some down showings who is matched up here with  Berger, who withdrew prior to last week at Pebble Beach with an injury. If you need more, this is also one of BetSided Iain MacMillan’s best matchup bets as well.

"I already listed Sam Burns as one of my outright picks for this week, but I also like him at +110 against Daniel Berger, who withdrew from last week’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am due to a back injury. I will be staying away from betting on Berger until he can show that he’s feeling healthy and fit to compete. Meanwhile, Burns continues to be underrated and I think he’s set for a big week at TPC Scottsdale."

For what it’s worth, I also love Iain’s pick of Hideki Matsuyama over Scottie Scheffler at -130. But Burns is my better bet here, so let’s ride together in solidarity.

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