Waste Management Phoenix Open: Power Rankings

3 of 10

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – FEBRUARY 02: Daniel Berger reacts after his putt on the 16th green during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale on February 2, 2017 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

With two top-10s in three career starts at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Daniel Berger is an intriguing pick this week.

He rallied from an opening 71 last year to post three rounds in the 60s and finish just three off the lead in a tie for seventh. In 2015 as a 21-year-old on a sponsor exemption, Berger carded a 65 on Thursday on the way to a T10.

Berger took two weeks off after playing both events in Hawaii, where he tied for 11th at Kapalua and went T14 at the Sony Open.

He had a nice 2017 with a win in Memphis and a solo second at the Travelers. He’s a popular name to make his first American Ryder Cup team this year. If he’s to do so, he’ll need to scoop up a win or two this year.

Berger is long enough (62nd in driving distance) to hold his own here, and his 66.67 percent GIR mark (64th) is fine, too. He’s a strong iron player and could tear apart TPC Scottsdale (20th in fairway proximity) if his game is on.

Home/Golf Power Rankings