Hello Gents,

Get ready for the most electric event on the PGA Tour! The 2025 Waste Management Phoenix Open tees off on Thursday, February 6, at TPC Scottsdale’s iconic Stadium Course. Dubbed “The People’s Open,” this tournament is famous for its raucous atmosphere—none more so than the legendary par-3 16th, where fans turn golf into a stadium spectacle. With a $20 million purse and 700 FedExCup points on the line, expect great competition from the world’s best. Except for Zach Johnson, he can kick rocks!

Course Breakdown: 

Par 71 | 7,261 yards

A layout designed to reward aggressive play while punishing missed fairways and greens. The closing stretch—holes 15 through 18—offers thrilling risk-reward scenarios that often decide the champion.

Signature Hole: The Par-3 16th (160 yards)

Pure chaos. The only fully enclosed stadium hole in professional golf, where birdies are met with deafening cheers, and missed greens bring brutal boos. It’s not just a par 3—it’s a Par(TY)!

Key to Success:

Driving accuracy and iron play. Players who can shape shots and stick wedges close will have the best chance of claiming victory.

Tournament Format

• Thursday & Friday: 132 professionals compete to make the 36-hole cut.
• Saturday & Sunday: The top 65 (and ties) battle for the title, with the final round setting up for a dramatic Super Bowl Sunday finish.

Favorites:

• Scottie Scheffler (+275)
  • Fresh off a T9 finish last week, Scottie is the clear favorite. If he starts slow, look for better live-bet odds before he inevitably makes a charge.
• Justin Thomas (+1400)
  • If JT can stay consistent and capitalize on scoring opportunities, he’ll be a serious threat.
• Sungjae Im (+2500)
  • A rock-solid ball striker with a knack for accuracy. If his putter gets hot, he’s got a real shot. Also, fun fact: he has the largest head on tour (irrelevant but relevant).

Dark Horse:

• Min Woo Lee (+6500)
  • Give me the fucking Aussie with the fan-favorite energy! If he’s in the mix on Sunday, expect the crowd to be screaming, “Min WOOOOO!” He started the season strong, making him an exciting long-shot play.

Best Bets & Props

Outright Winner Picks:

• Scottie Scheffler (+275)
• Sungjae Im (+2500)
• Justin Thomas (+1400)
• Min Woo Lee (+6500)

Top 20 Lay (+4112)

• Scottie Scheffler
• Min Woo Lee
• Sungjae Im
• Tom Kim
• Kurt Kitayama

Hole-in-One Props:

• YES (Any Hole – Entire Tournament): -115
• YES (Hole 16, Round 2 – Friday Madness!): +370
  History suggests someone will ace the most chaotic hole in golf. Drinks will be flying.

DraftKings $1M People’s Open Special ($25 Entry)

A balanced lineup built for scoring potential:

• Scottie Scheffler
• Rickie Fowler
• Chris Gotterup
• Kurt Kitayama
• Jake Knapp
• Min Woo Lee

Emperor’s Plays for the Weekend

Good evening fine ladies and gents and shoutout KB for letting me hijack Brennan’s Back 9. With that being said, I am just sharing a few of the plays I am riding for this weekend.

• Outright Winners
  • Justin Thomas (+2210)
    • Take out Scottie and JT is the favorite here. Successful history here in the past, striking the ball well here. History matters at this course.
  • Sahith Theegala (+4500)
    • As I said before, history matters. Theegala at this course has 2 Top 5 finishes here within the past 3 years. Now he has not got off to a good start to the season, but could this course get him over the hump?!?
  • Maverick McNealy (+6000)
    • I’m still a McNealy believer. I still think this man will win at least one major and go on a crazy run. Does the run start here?!? Played great here last season tying for 6th.
  • Min Woo Lee (+7500)
    • Vibes Guy and Tailing KB. #TailKB

Conclusion

The Waste Management Phoenix Open never disappoints. Expect drama, excitement, and some of the wildest crowds in golf. 

Good luck and hit ’em straight.

Cheers, Gents!