Maverick McNealy
While I am tempted to use Hideki Matsuyama this week, he feels likely to be one of, if not the most, popular pick for one and done pools this week. Instead of eating the chalk with Matsuyama, I am going to pivot to another veteran that has been very successful at TPC Scottsdale in McNealy.
After withdrawing in the first round during his Phoenix Open debut in 2023, McNealy has finished T-6 and T-9 at TPC Scottsdale the last two years. McNealy has shot 69 or better in six of his nine rounds at the par 71, including an 8-under 63 during the third round last year. McNealy is gaining 2.35 strokes per round at TPC Scottsdale, which ranks second among the players in this field, trailing only Scottie Scheffler.
McNealy now returns to TPC Scottsdale fresh off a 10th-place finish at the Farmers Insurance Open last week. McNealy shot under par in all four of his rounds at Torrey Pines and he was one of only five players to gain strokes in every major category at the event. McNealy has gained strokes across the board in back-to-back starts and in general, he has been one of the most consistent players on the PGA TOUR over the last year.
Since the start of last season, McNealy has made 23-of-28 cuts and he has carded eight top-10 finishes, including a runner-up at the Genesis Invitational and third-place finishes at the Valero Texas Open, the RBC Heritage and the BMW Championship. McNealy sits six spots higher in the world golf ranking since his T-9 at TPC Scottsdale a year ago and a third straight top-10 at the desert venue is a strong possibility for the 30-year-old this week.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, McNealy carries the ninth-best odds to win the WM Phoenix Open at +3300.
Past One and Done Tournament Results
The Sony Open: J.J. Spaun (T40)
The American Express: Si Woo Kim (T6)
The Farmers Insurance Open: Will Zalatoris (MC)
