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FREE 02/06 PGA Cheat Sheet: WM Phoenix Open DFS Plays

02/06 PGA Cheat Sheet: WM Phoenix Open DFS Plays

The WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale is always one of the most unique stops on the PGA Tour, combining a lively atmosphere with a course that rewards precision ball striking and sharp approach play. This year’s field features 132 golfers, including big names like Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, and Jordan Spieth. With an average DraftKings salary of $7,167 and only one highly owned player projected above 20%, roster construction becomes an intriguing puzzle. The lack of strong value plays (12x+ value) means balancing high-priced stars with lower-tier options will be key to building competitive lineups.

TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course plays as a Par 71 at just over 7,200 yards, favoring players who excel tee-to-green while capitalizing on the three short par-5s. The firm and fast conditions combined with large greens make accuracy on approach shots critical, especially from the 150-200 yard range where many opportunities arise. With more than half the field expected to make the cut (65 and ties), there’s room to take calculated risks on mid-range or low-priced players who can outperform their salaries. Let’s dive into our top plays for this slate.

Premium Plays ($10,000+)

Top Play: Scottie Scheffler ($12,000)

Scottie Scheffler comes into the WM Phoenix Open as one of the most reliable DFS options on the slate, but his $12,000 salary and elevated ownership (37.0%) demand careful consideration. Scheffler’s elite ball-striking, particularly his SG: Approach metrics, makes him an excellent fit for TPC Scottsdale, a course that rewards precision with irons and consistent tee-to-green play. His 93.3% make-cut rate provides a high floor for cash games, while his 36.2% optimal lineup percentage underscores his ceiling in tournaments despite chalky ownership. The recent top-10 finish at Pebble Beach shows no lingering effects from his hand injury, and he continued to excel with his irons, leading the field in SG: Approach last week.

While the high ownership might give some pause in GPPs, it’s hard to argue against Scheffler’s appeal given his combination of form, course fit, and scoring upside. His ability to rack up birdies in bunches aligns perfectly with the scoring demands at TPC Scottsdale. If you’re willing to eat the chalk, he’s one of the safest plays on the board and could easily pay off even at this elevated salary. However, if you’re looking to differentiate your lineup in large-field tournaments, pivoting away from Scheffler could be worth considering given how popular he’ll likely be across all formats.

Other Premium Options

  • Hideki Matsuyama ($10,200, MakeCut: 81.8%, Own: 15.9%)
  • Justin Thomas ($10,500, MakeCut: 77.4%, Own: 17.9%)
  • Sam Burns ($10,000, MakeCut: 76.8%, Own: 16.5%)

Mid-Range Plays ($8,000-$9,999)

Top Play: Sungjae Im ($9,800)

Sungjae Im ($9,800) brings a balanced skill set to TPC Scottsdale that makes him an appealing DFS option this week. While his T33 at the AT&T Pro-Am highlighted some struggles with his irons—ranking just 69th in SG: Approach—his ability to gain over three strokes putting in two of his last four starts is noteworthy. Historically, Im has performed well at the WM Phoenix Open, with three top-20 finishes in five appearances. His consistent cut-making ability (76.5%) and strong projection of 78.6 DraftKings points suggest he has both a solid floor and upside at this price point, especially given the importance of approach play and putting on this course.

At 13.7% projected ownership, Im will be one of the more popular plays in his salary range, but the chalk seems warranted given his profile. His optimal lineup rate of 17.2% reflects strong value for tournaments, and he ranks 18th in cash formats for safety. While it’s fair to have slight concerns about his recent iron play, TPC Scottsdale sets up well for his accuracy off the tee and short-game consistency. If you’re comfortable eating some ownership here, Im offers a reliable combination of cut equity and upside for all formats.

Other Mid-Range Options

  • Tom Kim ($9,600, MakeCut: 68.2%, Own: 13.2%)
  • Luke Clanton ($8,300, MakeCut: 62.8%, Own: 10.8%)
  • Sepp Straka ($9,400, MakeCut: 67.7%, Own: 11.1%)

Value Plays ($7,000-$7,999)

First Value Play: Harry Hall ($7,700)

Harry Hall ($7,700) presents an intriguing mid-range option at the WM Phoenix Open, offering a combination of value and upside that makes him worth consideration. His 12.4% optimal lineup rate is impressive for his salary, indicating he has a legitimate chance to outperform expectations. While his make-cut percentage of 62.8% isn’t elite, his ability to score well when he does make the weekend—projected at 70.1 DraftKings points—boosts his appeal in tournaments. TPC Scottsdale rewards strong approach play and accurate driving, two areas where Hall has shown flashes of consistency in recent form.

At just 6.5% projected ownership, Hall offers moderate leverage in GPPs without being overly contrarian. His field-average ownership means you’re not taking on unnecessary risk while still gaining exposure to a player ranked first in both tournament and cash value metrics this week. Given his affordable salary and potential for solid returns, Hall fits well as a secondary piece in balanced lineups or as a low-owned pivot in larger-field tournaments.

Second Value Play: J.J. Spaun ($7,900)

J.J. Spaun presents an intriguing mid-range option at $7,900 for the WM Phoenix Open. His recent form is solid, with a T15 at the Farmers Insurance Open and a T3 at the Sony Open earlier this year, showcasing both consistency and upside. Spaun’s ability to gain strokes off the tee—highlighted by his strong performance in that area at Torrey Pines—bodes well for TPC Scottsdale, where accurate driving and approach play are critical. His 61.6% make-cut rate isn’t elite, but his projection of 68.5 DraftKings points and an optimal lineup percentage of 13.2% suggest he offers excellent value relative to his salary.

At 9.3% projected ownership, Spaun is slightly above field average but far from chalky, making him a reasonable tournament play with some leverage potential. He ranks fourth in both tournament value and cash rankings, reflecting his balanced appeal across formats. While he may not carry the same name recognition as higher-priced options, his consistent ball-striking and recent momentum make him a strong fit for this course. If you’re looking for a steady mid-tier option with upside at moderate ownership, Spaun deserves consideration this week.

Other Value Options

  • Sam Stevens ($7,600, MakeCut: 61.5%, Own: 12.5%)
  • Lucas Glover ($7,400, MakeCut: 56.4%, Own: 11.8%)
  • Matt Fitzpatrick ($7,700, MakeCut: 57.2%, Own: 9.3%)

Good luck! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!

Please note: The content in our articles is based on data available at the time of publishing. Always double-check your lineups before locking in your players.

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DFS Hero

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