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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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Justin Thomas hits his tee shot on the 17th hole during the 2nd round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Ariz.Waste Management Phoenix Open
Justin Thomas hits his tee shot on the 17th hole during the 2nd round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Friday, Jan. 31, 2020, at TPC Scottsdale in Scottsdale, Ariz.Waste Management Phoenix Open /

Justin Thomas earned the bronze each of the last two times at the Phoenix Open. He debuted at TPC Scottsdale in 2015 with T-17th, missed a couple cuts then was back to where he started at T-17th again in 2018.

He had plenty of chances down the stretch in taking solo third in 2019 (64-66-68-72), finishing three shots back. Firing 270 once again got him into a tie for third in 2020 (68-68-69-65) and again just three shots back.

“This is a course that I enjoy,” Thomas was transcribed by ASAP Sports prior to the 2020 tournament. “I feel like it sets up well for my game, if I can execute properly.”

He ranked third in the field last year in scrambling (83.33%) and was in or around the top 20 in all the ball striking stats.

JT comes to Arizona off of a week of rest after missing the cut at the European Tour’s event in Abu Dhabi. It was his first event dealing with the after-effects of his homophobic slur uttered during the Tournament of Champions and the subsequent loss of one of his main sponsors, Ralph Lauren.

It will be interesting to see how Thomas atones for his mistake down the road, and how it affects his game. While he hasn’t won since last summer’s WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational, he was still placing well.

Thomas had no missed cuts, a runner-up at the Zozo Championship and five top-10s since the win.

The former Alabama Crimson Tide ranks 11th on the PGA Tour in strokes gained approach (.953) and fifth in SG around the green (.617). Of little surprise, he’s 24th (4.5) in par-5 scoring.

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