I like to think of the Waste Management Open as the beginning of the golf season. I mean, yeah there are a few others early in the year, notably the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, but this one is usually a must-watch. Obviously the fun at the 16th hole is a big part of it, but also the tournament happens during Super Bowl weekend. The entire tournament feels like a giant party, and the golfers get into it. I remember when Justin Thomas and other golfers honored Kobe Bryant by wearing his jersey at the 16th hole (damn, that was only four years ago).
Scottie Scheffler is the favorite to win this year, which would be his third straight win at this event. He is the popular pick by most people, as is Wyndham Clark, who won last week. But you know who like here this week? Sam Burns. He finished in 6th place last year, and was 10th last week. I like Burns because he is sitting at +2000 to win it all.
I am going to go out on a limb here with a crazy prediction: there will be a hole-in-one on #16. There have been 11 aces on #16 (well 12 if you count the robot). This year will see another one, and it will be Min Woo Lee. Go ahead, take that bet to your bookie.
