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Five storylines for the WM Phoenix Open: Can anyone stop Scheffler?
Scottie Scheffler. Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Five storylines for the WM Phoenix Open: Can anyone stop Scottie Scheffler?

The PGA Tour heads to TPC Scottsdale this week for the most electric event on the golf calendar every year: the WM Phoenix Open. We know about the stadium-esque 16th hole and the hundreds of thousands of raucous fans on the grounds, but what are the five juiciest storylines heading into the biggest party in golf?

Can anyone stop Scottie Scheffler?

Scheffler might be playing the best golf of his career, which is a terrifying thought considering how dominant he's been over the last few years. All he did in his 2026 debut was shoot 27 under par and win by four shots at The American Express last month. Now he heads back to TPC Scottsdale, where he's won twice in his last four appearances. 

Can anyone take down the World No. 1 this week?

Brooks Koepka looks to make a statement

Koepka ditched LIV Golf to rejoin the PGA Tour in 2026, making his season debut last week at the Farmers Insurance Open. The five-time major champion finished T56 because he couldn't make a putt, but he ranked 11th in the field in strokes gained from tee to green and third in strokes gained from around the green. 

In five career starts at the WM Phoenix Open, Koepka has two wins, a T3 finish and gained strokes from putting in all five. Don't be surprised if he contends for a win this week. 

Jordan Spieth back in his happy place

Spieth has fallen out of the limelight recently due to injuries and poor play, but maybe a return to TPC Scottsdale is exactly what he needs to get back in contention. In his last five starts at the WM Phoenix Open, the American has four top-six finishes. His T4 last year was tied for his best finish of the season. 

Spieth is dying to get back in the mix on Tour, and this is where he can do just that. 

Collin Morikawa searching for form

Morikawa has only played the WM Phoenix Open twice (cut, T25), but he's in the field this year and hoping to build some momentum. The 28-year-old has just one top-10 finish since the Players Championship last March, and he missed the cut in his season debut at the Sony Open.

Morikawa has lost strokes from putting in nine of his last 10 recorded starts. Can he figure out the flat stick and make some noise this week?

Will the Phoenix faithful behave?

This one's a bit more complicated. The WM Phoenix Open is a party in the desert disguised as a golf tournament, so fans have gotten carried away over the years. We've seen inebriated fans run on the course, make snow angels in bunkers and even shower the 16th green with beverages after a hole-in-one. 

Security has cracked down on rowdy fans recently, so we'll see if the tournament can keep fans in check this year. 

Jack Dougherty

Jack Dougherty has been writing professionally since 2015, contributing to publications such as GoPSUSports. com, Centre Daily Times, Associated Press, and Sportscasting. com

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