Can Jon Rahm win the 2023 WM Phoenix Open?
Jon Rahm is currently playing in the WM Phoenix Open and is in a good position halfway through the tournament. He has already won two events, the Sentry Tournament of Champions and the American Express.
The World No. 2 has won four tournaments in the last seven starts. He believes he is currently the best golfer in the world, irrespective of the rankings. The question arises, can Rahm win the 2023 WM Phoenix Open?
Odds
The bookies believe that Rahm is not the favorite but is still quite the favorite to succeed at TPC Scottsdale this year. Rory McIlroy is the favorite with a +800 probability, followed by the Spaniard at +850. Not much difference there.
Here are the 2023 WM Phoenix Open top 20 odds:
- Rory McIlroy +800
- Jon Rahm +850
- Xander Schauffele +1400
- Scottie Scheffler +1500
- Tony Finau +1800
- Collin Morikawa +1800
- Patrick Cantlay +2100
- Justin Thomas +2100
- Max Homa +2100
- Sungjae Im +2700
- Viktor Hovland +2700
- Hideki Matsuyama +2800
- Tom Kim +2800
- Cameron Young +2900
- Jordan Spieth +3100
- Matthew Fitzpatrick +3700
- Sam Burns +4200
- Sahith Theegala +4500
- Tyrrell Hatton +5000
- Shane Lowry +5000
How has Rahm fared so far at the WM Phoenix Open 2023?
Jon Rahm is the local favorite at the WM Phoenix Open. The former Arizona State star had to return early to finish the first round at TPC Scottsdale. He finished the first round at 3-under 68, followed by a second round of 5-under 66. He sits at joint second along with Adam Hadwin, two strokes behind the defending champion Scheffler.
Rahm's best finish at TPC Scottsdale was tied for fifth in 2015, which came as an amateur.
Rahm had a fantastic run in the second round with four birdies, one eagle, and just one bogey. He scored a birdie on the par-5 13th, hit an eagle from a greenside bunker on the par-5 15th, and sank a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th.
"I hit a lot of great tee shots today. A lot of good iron shots that ... didn't end up in great spots." Rahm said.
So far, the odds and performance are in favor of Rahm. The title is pretty much within his reach because the difference is just two strokes between him and Scheffler. Given the form Rahm is on, we can't keep him out of the discussion just yet.
Scheffler leads after 36 holes at the WM Phoenix Open
Scheffler completed 25 holes on Friday, as the first round couldn't be finished on the first day due to bad light. He ended Round 1 at 3-under 68 and then went on to play a bogey-free second round to finish at 10-under after 36 holes.
Scheffler was two strokes ahead of Rahm and Adam Hadwin when play was suspended due to darkness. The World No. 2 won his first PGA Tour title at TPC Scottsdale and then went on to add three more victories in 2022: Arnold Palmer Invitational, WGC-Match Play, and Masters. He also received the PGA Tour Player of the Year for 2022.