The 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is a classic
TPC Scottsdale, 7,266 yards, par 71
Defending champion: Hideki Matsuyama
TV: Thursday-Friday, Golf Channel, 2-6 PM CT/3-7 PM CT/3-7 PM ET; Saturday-Sunday, Golf, 12-1:30 PM CT/1-2:30 PM ET; CBS 2-5 PM CT/3-6 PM ET.
Weather: Sunny and perfect, 72-78 all 4 days. Wind minimal Thursday, Friday, 4-9 MPH Saturday, Sunday, so maybe a slight factor Sat and Sun.
Key Hole: No 16 par 3 163 yards: One of the most famous and without a doubt the loudest hole in golf. There will be 20,000 raucous, rowdy fans filling this fully enclosed stadium hole. They are pumped, energized and are ready to let a player know if they hit a good shot or a bad shot. Plus it’s Super Bowl Sunday so everybody’s pumped. The patrons cheer loudly for a shot on the green that is 25 feet and in for birdie, but boo without remorse for a shot that misses the green. The players have a blast with it as some of them put on the jersey of their favorite football team and with Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium Sunday, there may be players donning a Patriots or Falcons jersey, or for the local guys, like Pat Perez and Phil, maybe an Arizona State jersey. It’s loud, it’s fun and it’s pressure filled on Sunday. It’s a key, nerve wrecking hole for the players with trouble to the right and a trap in front on the left. A par here is a good score on Sunday and a birdie is a huge bonus with the 323 yard par 4 17th coming up in which players can reach the green off the tee and have a putt at eagle. Though it’s pretty challenging to stay on the green and make eagle and even birdie on the huge, lengthy green. Then the players finish at 18, a difficult 438 yard, par 4, that requires a 280 yard carry over water on the player’s left.The longer hitters really have an advantage on TPC Scottsdale.
Winner
Going with the 23 year old gunslinger from Dallas. It’s time the young stud wins again. Justin Thomas can’t steal all the thunder this year.
Jordan Spieth
7 Responses
Phil for me
I also like Spieth to win. JT to be on his heels and Woodland as my dark horse. I would love to see an ace on 16 Sunday by Phil.
Good stuff, Walter. Phil knocking on the door Bama, that’s for sure.
I am going to go with Pat Perez. Did y’all read the article on him in Sports Illustrated? Seems like a good guy. One guy who needs to get it going is our local guy Smylie….I know he is having fun out there, but sooner or later you got to go to work.
Thanks, MB. Pat Perez is close. Smylie been threatening, but not getting over the hump yet. Could be due here.
The gunslinger will be highest world rank in the field but it’s not his week to win. I am going back to the well for refreshment. My selection is Justin Thomas w matsuyama on his heels perhaps in a playoff. The other superstars are in another desert, Dubai. Phil must have turned the appearance money to play in Arizona and close to home. It will serve him well.
Thanks Spike. Definitely good choices, but sticking with the wiry hoss from Texas.