We run through the main golf tournaments this week – the Saudi International and the Waste Management Phoenix Open.
This includes facts, odds and picks from our own golfing professional Cliff Jackson with odds from 32Red.
SAUDI INTERNATIONAL
OVERVIEW: The Saudi International was introduced in 2019 as the first and only European Tour event in Saudi Arabia, and it has proven popular pulling together a brilliant field including Dustin Johnson – who won the inaugural tournament.
Johnson is back in Saudi to defend his title, and he is favourite to take the win – but the world’s elite are competing with Brooks Koepka, Patrick Reed and Open champion Shane Lowry all competing.
VERY IMPRESSIVE … with @royalgreens_ksa clubhouse dazzling in readiness for this weeks @EuropeanTour global stage showing ?
Host venue for second staging @SaudiIntlGolf @IMGgolf @VisitSaudiNow ? pic.twitter.com/YtggzY6s6z
— Golf & Science?⛳️ (@TOURMISS) January 28, 2020
WASTE MANAGEMENT PHOENIX OPEN
OVERVIEW: The Phoenix Open is the most well attended golfing event in the world, it encourages a big loud crowd, including the par 3 16th hole which is known as the Coliseum as it is surrounded by stands containing 20,000 people – who roar every stroke.
Rickie Fowler defends the title, but there is big competition from a glittering field containing the likes of Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas and Bubba Watson to name but three of a host of big names.
Don't worry, the PGA TOUR pros aren't the only ones who can take on TPC Scottsdale. You can play The Stadium Course after the Waste Management Phoenix Open too!
Book a tee time here: https://t.co/nqitjjK08q#PlayTPC #WMPO #TPCScottsdale pic.twitter.com/5RJSRACwb0
— TPC Network (@PlayTPC) January 28, 2020
Our resident golf expert is Cliff Jackson. Cliff is a leading youth coach and PGA professional at the famed Seaton Carew Links – one of the oldest courses in the world.
Truly one of the best weeks in golf outside a Major weekend, with two brilliant tournaments.
In Saudi Arabia, the International has attracted a wonderful field yet again but I am not sure Dustin Johnson defends his crown – I am going for Brooks Koepka to win and a top-five finish for Sergio Garcia.
In Phoenix, and what a great event – the way golf should be moving towards – and I do think Rickie Fowler will put up a real defence and he has to finish top-ten and I think that Bubba Watson might do something too.
Cliff’s Picks…
Brooks Koepka @11/1 to win the Saudi International
Sergio Garcia @5/1 to finish top-five at the Saudi International
Bubba Watson @28/1 to win the Phoenix Open Open
Rickie Fowler @12/1 to win the Phoenix Open
