RG's "Fairway Focus" is a weekly look at golf's major tours. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights. In this installment, Elliott previews this week's PGA TOUR party stop in the desert, The WM Phoenix, the LPGA’s Founders Cup in Bradenton, Week five of TGL, and sad news for Tiger Woods and Matt Kuchar.
PGA TOUR Preview: Buckle Up, The WM Phoenix Open is Here! "The Peoples Open," A Honey Pot For Scheffler
As the PGA TOUR heads to the desert for this week's WM Phoenix Open, many eyes will be on Scottie Scheffler. With a tie for third last year and wins in the two previous years, Scheffler is poised to conquer TPC Scottsdale once again this week. After a very solid showing in his 2025 debut last week at Pebble, Scheffler returns this week with high expectations, especially on a course that he could shoot 65 on in his sleep. Can Scheffler replicate his success in Scottsdale? Given his recent form, he's undoubtedly the odds-on favorite, and Vegas thinks so too.
Comfortable Surroundings For Matsuyama
11-time PGA TOUR winner Hideki Matsuyama has always performed well at TPC Scottsdale. In the past six previous seasons, he has finished inside the top 30 five times, including one top 10 and two other top 20s. Combining Matsuyama’s familiarity with the course and good form to start this year, he could make him a formidable contender come Sunday.
Justin Thomas: Ready To Compleat The Comeback
Justin Thomas really started to find his form in the 2024 season. In the 20 starts he made, he made 16 cuts with 10 top 25s, 6 top 10s, and a runner-up. When you look at his last six starts, starting at last year's TOUR Championship, he has gone T14 (TOUR Championship), 2nd (ZOZO), 3rd HERO), and T26 (Sentry, with 63 in the final round), 2nd (American Express), and a ho-hum week last week at Pebble with a T48. Despite that down tic at last week's AT&T, Thomas just might be able to leverage the energy of the crowd this week at TPC Scottsdale to deliver an impressive performance and capture his first win since the 2022 PGA Championship.
Rising Star: Luke Clanton's Chance at the WM Phoenix Open
Another player to watch at this week's WM Phoenix Open is amateur phenom Luke Clanton, a young talent on the brink of securing his PGA Tour card. Clanton has a significant advantage at TPC Scottsdale due to his local ties. His charming personality and connection to the area make him a fan favorite and a formidable contender this week. The 21-year-old Florida State Junior made eight starts on the PGA Tour in 2024, making the cut in seven of those events, including four top-10 finishes and two runner-up finishings, a remarkable feat for an amateur. So far in 2025, he has already achieved a T15 finish at the Farmers Insurance Open.
For Clanton, making the cut this week would be just as significant as a win. A made cut would earn enough points in the PGA Tour University Accelerated program to obtain his PGA TOUR membership after the conclusion of the college season.
Expect the Unexpected at 16
The iconic 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale is more than just a typical hole; it’s an experience known for its dramatic moments and electric atmosphere. In this setting, where NFL stadium energy meets golf, players can either thrive or crumble under the party-like environment of this legendary par-3.
As someone who has witnessed this party firsthand, I can confirm that no matter how seasoned a player may be, the 16th hole can get them into pucker mode.
LPGA Preview: 2025 Founders Cup
This week, the LPGA Tour visits the Bradenton Country Club for the 2025 Founders Cup, presented by the U.S. Virgin Islands. This year marks a new date on the calendar and a new venue for the event. Although the Bradenton Country Club hosted the LPGA Tour last year, it was for the LPGA Drive On Championship. That event may have been one of the best of the year, too, with powerhouses Nelly Korda and Lydia Ko battling it out in a playoff, which Korda ultimately won.
Star-Studded Field
Bradenton's own Nelly Korda takes center stage this week at the Founders Cup, and to be honest, anytime the world number one is playing, she will be in that spot. Fresh off a thrilling second-place finish at last week’s Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, Nelly will certainly be eager to make some noise in front of the home crowd.
Lydia Ko, Hannah Green, Jin Young Ko, Brooke Henderson, Charley Hull, Danielle Kang, and Celine Boutier are only a few of the stars of the LPGA who will be in the field this week.
2024 Champion Rose Zhang Absent This Week
Last season, Rose Zhang made a flurry of birdies during the final round of the Founders Cup at Upper Montclair Country Club in Clifton, N.J., to secure her second career LPGA Tour title. Unfortunately, the Stanford University student will be busy in classes and will not be defending her title.
Honoring the Pionieering 13
The Founders Cup serves as a tribute to the pioneering women in golf, and with this season marking the 75th anniversary of the LPGA Tour, this week holds much more significance. Celebrating the enduring legacy and history of women's professional golf, the tournament is a significant reminder of the 13 original founding members of the LPGA Tour.
TGL Update: Los Angeles Dominates Boston in 6-2 Victory
Los Angeles notched its second victory of the start-up TGL season with a convincing 6-2 win over Boston Commons, putting LA in first place in the SoFi Cup standings. Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, and Tommy Fleetwood were dominant, establishing a 5-0 lead heading into Singles play, leaving Boston with limited chances to recover.
Boston struggled to find their rhythm despite Rory McIlroy coming into the match with lots of momentum after his PGA TOUR victory at Pebble.
Fleetwood, making his TGL debut, contributed significantly to Los Angeles by hitting key birdies that set the tone for the match.
"What a team. What a group of lads," he commented on the thrilling atmosphere.
In Singles play, Keegan Bradley earned two points for Boston by winning both holes against Rose, which could prove significant in the standings. With this victory, Los Angeles now leads the SoFi Cup with four points, while Boston remains at one point following a previous overtime loss.
TGL will take a break next week and return with a tripleheader on February 17. Los Angeles will play Atlanta Drive Golf Club at 1 p.m. ET, Atlanta and The Bay will compete in the second match at 4 p.m., and Boston and The Bay will kick off at 7 p.m. The Action can be seen on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+, the TGL website, and the TGL app.
Condolences
All of us at RG would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to Tiger Woods and his family following the loss of his mother, Kultida Woods. Throughout his career, Tiger's mother was a constant presence both on and off the course and played a significant role in his success. Kultida was 80 years old.
We also wish to extend our thoughts and prayers to Matt Kuchar and his family on the unexpected passing of his father. Peter Kuchar was a steady presence at golf tournaments and caddied for his son when Matt won the 1997 U.S. Amateur at Cog Hill. The following year, Matt performed well in both the Masters and the U.S. Open. Peter Kuchar was 73 years old.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
