3. Sepp Straka
The trailblazer of Austrian golf, Straka has found another gear to start the year (the swing is probably more aerodynamic with the bald head). Sunday was a disappointment for Straka, as he squandered a chance to win back-to-back starts, but a T7 finish at a course that I didn't think fit his game that well makes me feel more confident in his skills going into the Phoenix Open. The clear strength of Straka's game is his iron play, and the layout of TPC Scottsdale should make a lot of sense for him. He hasn't actually played well the three times he has played this event, but considering his success at the AmEx this year, and this being some of the best golf he's played on the PGA Tour, I think Straka's luck at Scottsdale turns around this year.
2. Hideki Matsuyama
A two-time winner of this event, Hideki made the business decision to focus solely on the Phoenix Open this week and not participate in the TGL match this week (yes, we are VERY worried about Boston Common right now). At this time last year, Hideki was ranked 55th in the world and searching for anything to go right again. Since then, he has climbed back into the top 5 in the OWGR, won 3 times on Tour, and reasserted himself as a dominant force in the game. His ball striking with his irons is a work of art when everything is clicking, and Hideki going into Phoenix this year without any sort of injury issues should make him the favorite. But...
1. Scottie Scheffler
What do I even need to say? We're going to start reaching the point where "Scottie vs. The Field" bets are legitimate discussions. I know everyone is picking him to be #1 and maybe I should try to be contrarian and go against the grain and all of that, but that's not happening. Any time Scottie tees it up moving forward, he's going in at number one for now. There's no reason to pick anyone else. Congrats to Scottie.