2024 WM Phoenix Open: First-Round Leader Odds, Picks & Predictions
A rough weather week on the coast of California resulted in a rain-shortened victory for Wyndham Clark at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am on Saturday.
Now, the PGA Tour moves inland to the desert for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, but the rain will follow. The good news is the heavy rain should move out of the area by Thursday, save for a possible shower or two over the first two days. The heaviest of the precipitation is expected Wednesday, which should soften up the course, making it easier to fire at pins when players tee it up Thursday morning. Cooler temps throughout the tournament should mean the course will hold the moisture and provide a soft course all weekend.
TPC Scottsdale is famous for the par-3 16th hole. A full, multi-level grandstand around the entire hole from tee to green provides players and fans with a stadium-type atmosphere where the alcohol is consumed early and often by the fans, and players (I’m looking at you, Harry Higgs and Joel Dahmen) have been known to let loose with their celebrations when making improbable shots.
If you ever have the chance to attend, I highly recommend spending a few hours in the stands at 16 to soak up the atmosphere and a few beverages.
Enough about the setup; let’s get to why you’re really here. Who do I think will be atop the leaderboard on Thursday night?
2024 WM Phoenix Open Best First-Round Leader Bets
(Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook)
Justin Thomas (22-1)
With his 2023 struggles seemingly behind him, Justin Thomas has gotten off to a great start this season. The Louisville native finished T3 at the American Express and T6 at last week’s rain-shortened AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Thomas seems to love it here. The Alabama alum has three top-five finishes in his last five starts here and has finished no worse than T-17 in his last six appearances at TPC Scottsdale. Thomas opened with a 64 here in 2019, so he has shown the ability to start fast.
Sam Burns (33-1)
The eighth-year pro finished in the top 10 of the FedEx Cup standings in 2023 and has shown no signs of slowing down in 2024. After four rounds in the 60s at The Sentry TOC, the LSU alum has a pair of top-10 finishes under his belt this year. Even though he has missed the cut in three of his five appearances here, when he made the weekend, Sam Burns has been in the mix. He posted a T6 a year ago and has shot 64 here twice. He has the game, is in good form and should make a run at the early lead Thursday.
Byeong Hun An (40-1)
Even though Byeong Hun An doesn’t have the greatest track record at TPC Scottsdale, missing the cut three of five times, the South Korean has posted multiple rounds in the mid-60s, including 65 twice. An hasn’t teed it up here in three years but comes in playing some excellent golf. The 32-year-old lost in a playoff at the Sony Open in Hawaii and was T31 at Pebble Beach before the tournament got shortened due to the rain.
Other first-round leader bets to consider: Scottie Scheffler, Sungjae Im and JT Poston
Best of luck, and let’s cash some tickets!
Make sure to check out our other best bets for Wednesday: