In the coming week, the PGA Tour descends on TPC Scottsdale for the 91st edition of the WM Phoenix Open, and it’s set to be another competitive weekend of golf.
Belgian star Thomas Detry returns as the defending champion after his emphatic seven-shot victory here last year, but he faces a field stacked with heavyweights looking to reclaim the title in Arizona.
Top five picks – WM Phoenix Open
Here’s our top five picks for the 2026 WM Phoenix Open, based on current form and historical performance at TPC Scottsdale.
1. Scottie Scheffler
You simply cannot bet against the World No. 1 right now. Scheffler has started the 2026 season exactly how he finished the last, cruising to a four-shot victory at The American Express in La Quinta just weeks ago.
That win marked his 20th career PGA Tour title, and his ball-striking stats remain in a league of their own. Coming off that dominant performance in the desert, he arrives in Scottsdale in peak condition.
TPC Scottsdale is effectively Scheffler’s home turf. He won back-to-back titles here in 2022 and 2023 and was in the mix for a “three-peat” in 2024 before finishing T3. He knows exactly how to navigate the chaos of the 16th hole and capitalise on the risk-reward finish down the stretch. Given his current form and track record, he is favourite and it’s easy to see why.
2. Justin Thomas
“JT” looks to be back to his best. After a quiet spell in previous seasons, he has found a rhythm in early 2026, evidenced by his runner-up finish to Scheffler at The American Express. If Thomas is your man and you want to back him each-way then check out AceOdds’ betting calculator tool to see your potential winnings.
Thomas finished T6 here in 2025 and has consistently peppered the leaderboard in Phoenix over the last decade and he has the aggressive mentality required to make birdies in bunches on the back nine. His current confidence makes him a dangerous contender to finally lift this specific trophy.
3. Hideki Matsuyama
The Japanese superstar is quietly playing some of the best golf of his life again. He is fresh off a T3 contention at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines this week, proving his game is sharp on tough setups.
Matsuyama is a two-time champion at TPC Scottsdale (2016, 2017) and arguably plays this course better than anyone not named Scheffler. The firm, fast conditions of the Arizona desert suit his high ball flight perfectly and even when he isn’t winning, he is usually top-10 here.
4. Xander Schauffele
Schauffele remains one of the most consistent players on Tour. He is due for a big week, and his all-around game has no real weaknesses that this course can exploit.
Xander has a history of heartbreak at Phoenix, having finished runner-up multiple times (including to Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler). He clearly understands how to score here, consistently posting rounds in the mid-60s.
He is often the “safest” pick on the board for a top-5 finish, and 2026 could be the year he finally converts those close calls into a win.
5. Thomas Detry
The defending champion deserves a spot on this list after his life-changing performance last year.
In 2025, Detry didn’t just win; he dismantled the field by seven strokes, finishing at -24. While repeating is incredibly difficult, that level of dominance suggests a deep comfort with the visual lines off the tee.
Detry’s length and towering iron shots allowed him to tear TPC Scottsdale apart last February. He proved he can handle the unique pressure of the stadium atmosphere, which often rattles lesser-experienced players.
If he brings even 80% of the game he had last year, he will have a chance on the weekend.
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