It’s been a busy few days at TPC Scottsdale.
Not only did former ‘Bachelor’ star Matt James absolutely rifle a shank off a photographer during Wednesday’s pro-am, but a little kid got loose on a golf cart and took down everything in his path (including the man trying to stop him).
Patrick Cantlay went out early Friday during his second round of the WM Phoenix Open and fired a 5-under 66 to give him, at the time, the clubhouse lead. Cantlay continues to fire on all cylinders – the man hasn’t finished outside the top 10 at a golf tournament since last year’s Northern Trust. That week, he tied for 11th.
PGA Tour rookie Sahith Theegala continued to rip up the back nine Friday, putting four circles on the card over his last six holes. He drained a birdie bid on 18 to close with a 7-under 64 and walked off the golf course with a three shot lead.
Thanks to Brooks Koepka, Theegala’s lead going into the weekend is just two as the WM Phoenix Open defending champion continues to show he feels very comfortable at this track. Slim Shady dropped in six birdies on Friday to go along with a bogey for a second day 5-under 66. Xander Schauffele, runner-up to Koepka here last season, also sits at 10 under.
Weekend betting odds for the WM Phoenix Open
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds a full list.
| Player | Odds |
| Brooks Koepka | (+360) |
| Xander Schauffele | (+360) |
| Patrick Cantlay | (+490) |
| Sahith Theegala | (+750) |
| Max Homa | (+1800) |
| Jon Rahm | (+2200) |
| Talor Gooch | (+2200) |
| Hideki Matsuyama | (+2700) |
| Justin Thomas | (+2700) |
| Adam Hadwin | (+3400) |
| Abraham Ancer | (+3400) |
| Bubba Watson | (+3900) |
*odds above are as of 7:45 ET on Friday, Feb. 11, 2022
Picks for the WM Phoenix Open
Justin Thomas (+2700)
JT hasn’t been sharp so far this week and he’s still managed to be 5 under after two rounds. He has two third place finishes here in the last three seasons. There isn’t a player on Earth that cooks as well as JT does when he is on. Due to the fact he can explode for an 8- or 9-under round at any time, hard not to take a chance on him over the weekend.
Max Homa (+1800)
Homa’s tee-to-green game this week has been sick – hitting nearly 78 percent of fairways and 85 percent of greens. His putter finally came alive on Friday leading him to a bogey-free 6-under 65. He’s beat loaded fields before (2021 Genesis), and sits at 8 under, four back.
Xander Schauffele (+360)
Schauffele could have shot 10 under on Friday. He failed to convert on a bunch of chances and still shot a bogey-free 65. He’s due — like DUE. His last win came at the 2019 Sentry TOC. His tee-to-green game is on another level right now, so if that putter gets going even a little, it could be a blood bath for the rest of the field.
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