\n The 100\/1 longshot caught us all off-guard when he triumphed last year after a dramatic play-off victory over Charley Hoffman. Taylor surged late on Sunday to match Hoffman\u2019s -21, before claiming a birdie on the second hole in the play-off and fly for the win. Taylor has never been a favoured player at the majors but has climbed back into the world top 30 after winning the Sony Open in January.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n
\n A Deep Dive into TPC Scottsdale: Course Analysis for Punters\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n Course designers Jay Morrish and Tom Weiskopf were keen to facilitate chaos at TPC Scottsdale.<\/p>\n\n
\n This par 71, 7,261-yard course features wide fairways, fewer traps and limited water hazards. Birdie opportunities are aplenty down the back nine, with the course\u2019s signature \u2018stadium hole\u2019 \u2013 their par 3 16th \u2013 regarded as the noisiest in the sport. Up to 20,000 golf fans pack in to cheer on the world\u2019s best, as they attempt to drop their iron shots closer to the pin to set up birdie putts.\r<\/p>\n\n
\n The 16th is located between a rare island-green par 5 on the 15th and a distinct birdie opportunity on the par 4 17th. These holes make for great drama late in the day, but players must navigate a tricky opening that is capped off by the par 4 11th. Last year\u2019s winner described it as the \u201chardest hole on the course\u201d, due to its length and awkward water hazard.\r<\/p>\n\n
\n Sound putting is required early on, with tricky par 4s and 5s kicking off the round. Also, the speed of these greens can never be overlooked.\r<\/p>\n\n
\n Overall, this is a course that should bring out the very best of players. Recent history suggests that backing a major winner to win outright would be smart. Before Taylor won last year, seven of the eight previous Waste Management Phoenix Open winners were also major champions.<\/p>\n\n
\n Stationed 1,530 feet above sea level, TPC Scottsdale is a clean ball striker\u2019s paradise. Thinner air makes for less resistance, allowing players to hit the ball further. In 2023, drives at the WM Phoenix Open travelled 13.8 yards longer than the PGA Tour average.<\/p>\n\n
\n WM Phoenix Open Prize Money\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n In 2023, the WM Phoenix Open purse was as high as $20m, but that figure came crashing down to $8.8m last year. This time, it\u2019s set at $9.2m \u2013 tied for 19th highest on the tour. The winner will take home just over $1.6m.<\/p>\n\n
\n LIV Golf\u2019s emergence and subsequent poaching of some of golf\u2019s biggest names has shown that money talks. While the very best players are where they are because they love the sport, the financial incentives cannot be ignored. A smaller purse will deter some.<\/p>\n\n
\n The People\u2019s Open remains one of the tour\u2019s biggest events, and this is a tournament like no other \u2013 for good and bad reasons. Fan behaviour has been called into question as of late, and there\u2019s a sense that the event might be losing some of its prestige.<\/p>\n\n
\n Last year, two top five players, Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele, withdrew from the event ahead of the Genesis Invitational ($20m purse in 2025).<\/p>\n\n