February 3, 2026
Xander Schauffele played well at last week's Farmers Insurance Open but disappointingly missed the cut. Schauffele is set to make his second appearance of the 2026 season at this week's Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. Schauffele skipped last year's edition and the 2024 edition but has played well here in the past. He finished tied for 10th in 2023 and tied for third in 2022. Over the past 12 months, Schauffele ranks in the 95th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Collin Morikawa missed the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii three weeks ago, and that has been his only appearance so far in the 2026 season. Morikawa will need to find his stroke on the greens if he's going to have a chance to compete. He lost 1.62 strokes putting but gained 0.68 strokes on approach at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Morikawa missed the 2025 and 2024 editions of the Waste Management Phoenix Open but missed the cut in his last appearance in 2023. Over the past 12 months, Morikawa ranks in the 95th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Hideki Matsuyama continued to show the excellent form he's been in to start the 2026 season, finishing tied for 11th at last week's Farmers Insurance Open, which was followed by a tied for 13th finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii. Matsuyama has been outstanding with his approach play so far this season, gaining at least 1.25 strokes in both of his starts. Matsuyama has been excellent in his recent appearances at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, finishing tied for 25th in 2025 and tied for 22nd in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Matsuyama ranks in the 97th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth pointing out because at last year's Waste Management Phoenix Open over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Max Homa missed the cut at last week's Farmers Insurance Open, which was disappointing considering how well he's played there in the past and how well he played at the American Express the week prior. Homa hasn't had much recent success at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, missing the cut in 2025 and 2024. Over the past 12 months, Homa ranks in the 48th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth mentioning because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Ben Griffin finished tied for 24th at the American Express, and that was followed by a tied for 19th finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii the week prior. Griffin has been excellent around the greens so far this season, gaining over 0.85 strokes in his first tournaments. Griffin has played well at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, finishing tied for 36th in 2025 and tied for 28th in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Griffin ranks in the 53rd percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Harris English secured a T22 finish at last week's Farmers Insurance Open, which followed a T27 finish the week prior at the American Express. English was excellent on approach last week, gaining 1.68 strokes, and will need to replicate that form to have a shot at competing at this week's Waste Management Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Arizona. English skipped last year's tournament but finished tied for 17th in 2024. Over the past 12 months, English ranks in the 85th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is important because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Wyndham Clark finished tied for 65th at last week's Farmers Insurance Open, which was a disappointing finish to the week, especially after coming off a tied for 13th finish at the American Express the week before. Clark lost strokes across the board except off the tee, gaining 0.12 strokes last week. Clark finished tied for 16th in the 2025 Waste Management Phoenix Open and tied for 41st in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Clark ranks in the 76th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth pointing out because at last year's Waste Management Phoenix Open over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
Akshay Bhatia missed the cut at last week's Farmers Insurance Open and has missed the cut in each of his first two starts in the 2026 season. Bhatia has lost his stroke putting and on approach in both of his starts. Last week, he lost over 3.50 strokes putting and 0.23 strokes on approach. Bhatia finished tied for 32nd in last year's edition but missed the cut in 2024. Over the past 12 months, Bhatia ranks in the 90th percentile in proximity to the hole on approach shots from 150-200 yards in the fairway. This is worth mentioning because, last year at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, over 40% of approach shots came from this distance.
--Ian Christenson - RotoBallerSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
As time goes on and Scottie Scheffler continues to wreak havoc on the rest of the PGA Tour roster, the question of whether you take him or literally anyone else becomes the weekly discussion. He's so good in every area that if he shows up firing on all cylinders, everyone else is playing for second place. This feeling can't be felt more than at TPC Scottsdale (or Augusta), as he won back-to-back in 2022 and 2023 and averages a sickening +2.897 total strokes gained over his last 20 rounds. There isn't any other explanation needed. If you believe in a third victory for the 29-year-old, he's in your lineup without question.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
February 3, 2026
The impressive start that Maverick McNealy has gotten off to this season has a chance to throw a W in the mix this week at the WM Phoenix Open. The 30-year-old has demonstrated supreme comfort on this track in two previous starts (WD'd in 2023), with T9 and T6 finishes coming in the last two years. Through eight rounds, he ranks fourth in the field in total strokes gained average (+2.364) at TPC Scottsdale and second in strokes gained putting (+1.156). There is little reason to doubt him ahead of Thursday's round, and if you can find room on some DFS lineups for the former Stanford Cardinal, he's a must-add.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
February 3, 2026
It felt like a special occasion with Brooks Koepka back on the tee sheet for the Farmers Insurance Open, and this week will likely feel like much of the same. The WM Phoenix Open was the site of his first career victory on the PGA Tour in 2015, and it often feels like one of the few regular events he gets amped up to play in. His return last week was more positive than many expected, as he played all four rounds to end the four days at T56. Koepka showed signs of life by ranking 11th in the field in strokes gained from tee to green (+2.02). The putter didn't cooperate, however, how much stock can we give it on unpredictable Poa annua greens? In five career appearances at TPC Scottsdale, Brooksie has managed to gain strokes with the flat stick in all of them. It's still up in the air on what kind of fantasy asset he'll be in his returning season, but this is as good a spot as any to take a chance on him this week.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
February 3, 2026
After a T6 finish to open the season, followed by a T24 the following week, Harry Hall should be pleased with how his game is trending ahead of this week at TPC Scottsdale. He's making a ton of putts, averaging +1.123 strokes gained through his first two starts. That number will surely fall, just as his -0.076 strokes gained on approach will rise. However, ball striking hasn't been good here. Over his eight competitive rounds on the Stadium Course, he's lost an average of 0.687 strokes between off-the-tee and on approach metrics. Ranking third last season in birdie average (4.56) and having a tidy short game, there's plenty of reason to think he'll improve on his best finish of T41 in this event come Sunday.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
February 3, 2026
It has been an incredible run for Chris Gotterup over the last seven months. From winning the Scottish Open last year to being the first winner on tour this season, he's established himself as one of the bright young players. After competing on TGL Monday night, the 26-year-old made the trek out to TPC Scottsdale for his third career appearance. The first two ended early, missing the cut both times and failing to really gain strokes anywhere besides on the green. However, we are now two wins and a slew of good finishes later, and this time feels like a much different story. Through his first two events, the 26-year-old is averaging +1.169 strokes gained off the tee and +0.628 on approach. Everything about his game is more refined and exudes more confidence than when he was here last season. Play Gotterup with confidence this week, but understand that his streaky putting limits his upside a little bit.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
February 3, 2026
After a discouraging 2025 season, the new year started in a similar fashion for Tony Finau. The 36-year-old missed both of his first two cuts of the campaign and looked set for a third after a terrible start on Thursday at Torrey. However, he battled back nicely to finish T11. After a run of poor ball striking to end last year, things look much improved on that front. Even with the MCs out the gate, he is averaging +0.261 strokes gained off the tee and +0.250 on approach. It isn't record-breaking by any means, but it's certainly a step in the right direction. His history at TPC Scottsdale isn't very impressive, other than a runner-up finish in 2020. The putter has let him down, which isn't anything new for the Utah native. So, while there are positives to draw on from last week, the jury is still out on whether he's back to being a reliable fantasy option. The best advice feels like letting the suckers take the bait of hoping the play travels from San Diego.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
February 3, 2026
It was a decent start to the season for Sam Burns, who finished T27 at the AMEX a couple of weeks ago. He averaged +1.33 strokes gained from tee to green, but surprisingly, lost strokes with the putter. That is the second consecutive event where the putter let him down, going back to the Hero World Challenge in December. For someone who led the tour in strokes gained putting last season, it is a troubling sign. However, his time at this week's event, the WM Phoenix Open, has historically been a venue where he's rolled the ball well. The ball striking seems poised enough, especially considering the 150-200 yard range is more in his wheelhouse of approach yardages. Burns has a decent floor with the possibility of having a nice week. Don't hesitate to take him in DFS lineups.
--Todd McGillSource: Data Golf
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