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2021 Waste Management Phoenix Open: Top 10 power rankings at TPC Scottsdale

By Mike Randleman

Bubba Watson watches his sho onto the 16th green during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at the TPC Scottsdale February 2, 2020,Phoenix Open
Bubba Watson watches his sho onto the 16th green during the final round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open at the TPC Scottsdale February 2, 2020,Phoenix Open /
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January 17, 2021; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; Daniel Berger hits his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Sony Open golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 17, 2021; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; Daniel Berger hits his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Sony Open golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Daniel Berger just goes about his business and stacks up quality results. This is true at the Phoenix Open where in six starts the Florida native has fared just fine across the country in Arizona, posting four top-11s since 2015.

Berger’s first time out resulted in T-10th (65-69-71-69). It continued with T-58th in 2016 (68-72-71-75), T-7th (71-66-66-68) in 2017, T-11th (68-65-68-71) in 2018, a missed cut by one measly shot in 2019 (71-71) and T-9th (69-71-66-67) in 2020.

The Jupiter, Florida, resident is comfortable on Bermuda greens. It showed when he ranked second in the field in strokes gained putting (1.89) at the 2020 Phoenix Open.

Berger was scorching hot all of last year. A resurgent campaign saw him win at Colonial and post six more top-10s in just 17 starts. He missed only one cut.

Quietly again, the former Florida State Seminole opened 2021 with back to back top-10s.

Berger took solo 10th at the Tournament of Champions and capped the Hawaii Swing with T-7th at the Sony Open.

The 27 year old ranks 185th (-.191) in SG around the greens this season. It’s a glaring weak spot on an otherwise solid stat sheet. He is addressing that issue with notable coach Cameron McCormick.

“Yeah, he’s been incredible for my short game, my putting,” Berger was transcribed by ASAP Sports at the Sony Open. “I think he’s really given me a new perspective on how to hit shots around the greens. I was kind of one-dimensional in the past.”

Berger was 28th (.271) around the green last year, so he knows he can get up and down with the best of them.

Most players in this week’s field are playing on the mainland for the third week in a row or second week out of three. Berger will be rested and ready to go at a venue he’s comfy at.

Plus, a chill guy like him might not mind a quieter 16th hole for a change.

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