By Eric Cohen

On Saturday I bought an overpriced general admission ticket to

the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, which is located within five

miles from where I live. Not only was it GREAT being back at a

live sporting event but the difference between 5,000 spectators

and 200,000 as usual made the experience WAY better.

I was sitting about 30 feet above Jordan Spieth on Saturday when

he chipped in for birdie on the 10 th hole. I saw Patton Kizzire

almost ace the par 4 17 th coming within a foot. Then Spieth’s drive

on that same hole came without 25 feet or so and watching his up

and down for birdie was no doubt the highlight of the day. If you

like watching golf as I do, you would’ve LOVED the experience at

TPC Scottsdale on Saturday!

The experience not only felt safe but somewhat normal, and as

we all know, nothing about the last year has been even close to

that.

What made the experience on Saturday that much more exciting

was that one of the players I bet on, Xander Schauffele was

leading and seemingly was a better than even money shot to win.

There was no way Jordan Spieth was going to hold up after a

career low 61 and the rest of the competition was at least three

strokes behind.

I saw Brooks Koepka play a few holes on Saturday and not once

was I ever concerned that he would win.

So much for that.

Damn you Xander for choking on Sunday! While he’s an

awesome player and seemingly great guy, Schauffele has trouble

closing with a lead. And losing out on those potential winnings

darn near kept me up on Sunday night.

So this week the tour moves on to iconic Pebble Beach with a

significantly weaker field and the return of Dustin Johnson,

coming off yet another dominant victory in Saudi Arabia last

weekend. If the other experts want to pick him at +360, by all

means…I’ll pass. I know the field is weak…but give me a break,

I’m not even sure Tiger Woods in his prime was worth only +360

odds! A lot can happen in 72 holes…

(NOTE: After this was written, DJ dropped out…this field just

got that much weaker!)

Once again the rules: each picker will get a simulated $200 to bet;

$100 of which will be on win bets and another $100 on top-5, top-

10, and top-20 bets only. The kicker this time is that the money

can only be spent on a maximum of three golfers in each

category. Picking winners has never been so difficult.

Here are this week’s plays for the Waste Management Phoenix

Open:

(Odds courtesy of Draft Kings Sportsbook)

The Parlay Kid

Last Week’s Results: -$200

Total ROI: +$592.50

Winners Picked in 2021: 1

$40 to WIN: Patrick Cantlay (+1000)

$40 to WIN: Daniel Berger (+1800)

$20 to WIN: Jordan Spieth (+3000)

$50 on Top-10: Kevin Streelman (+500)

$50 on Top-10: Si Woo Kim (+350)

Harry

Last Week’s Results: -$200

Total ROI: -$287.50

Winners Picked in 2021: 0

$50 to WIN: Si Woo Kim (+3500)

$25 to WIN: Paul Casey (+2000)

$25 to WIN: Jason Day (+3000)

$50 on Top-10: Si Woo Kim (+350)

$25 on Top-10: Paul Casey (+164)

$25 on Top-10: Jason Day (+275)

Producer Michael

Last Week’s Results: -$200

Total ROI: -$450

Winners Picked in 2021: 0

$50 to WIN: Patrick Cantlay (+1000)

$50 to WIN: Jordan Spieth (+3000)

$75 on Top-10: Jordan Spieth (+275)

$25 on Top-10: Si Woo Kim (+350)

Eric:

Last Week’s Results: -$200

Total ROI: -$500

Winners Picked in 2021: 0

$40 to WIN: Daniel Berger (+1800)

$40 to WIN: Jason Day (+3000)

$20 to WIN: Jordan Spieth (+3000)

$100 on Top-20: Kevin Streelman (+200)

Brother Bri

Last Week’s Results: -$200

Total ROI: -$525

Winners Picked in 2021: 0

$40 to WIN: Jordan Spieth (+3000)

$30 to WIN: Kevin Streelman (+5500)

$30 to WIN: Max Homa (+5500)

$50 on Top-10: Jason Day (+275)

$25 on Top-10: Si Woo Kim (+350)

$25 on Top-10: Max Homa (+450)

Find more of Eric’s sports opinions and predictions on Twitter at

@CohensCornerAZ.