PGA: The American Express - Third Round
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A major championship feel is expected when the PGA Tour's top golfers gather at TPC Scottsdale this week for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open. Setting WM Phoenix Open fantasy golf lineups will be a challenge with top stars like world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, defending champion Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm all on hand. Numerous major winners, including Collin Morikawa, Jordan Spieth and Hideki Matsuyama also could play huge roles in successful 2023 WM Phoenix Open fantasy golf lineups. McIlroy is the 8-1 favorite in the latest 2023 WM Phoenix Open odds, followed by Rahm (17-2), Xander Schauffle (14-1) and Scheffler (15-1).

Matsuyama has won this event twice, so is he a player who can make a difference in your WM Phoenix Open fantasy golf rankings? Or can Scheffler repeat his magic from last season and put you in a better position to win? Before setting your fantasy golf rankings or making any 2023 WM Phoenix Open picks, you need to see the fantasy golf projections and lineup advice from SportsLine fantasy expert Jim Holliman.

Holliman has been a writer and editor for nearly 25 years and has been playing and following the game closely for more than three decades. The Florida-based writer knows what it takes to win on the PGA Tour and how the players' games fit the courses. The golf expert has been on a roll on his picks since last season. At the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, six of the expert's picks finished in the top 15, including winner Justin Rose and top-five finishers Denny McCarthy and Keith Mitchell. At the Farmers Insurance Open, every player in his predictions made the cut, and four finished in the top 15, including winner Max Homa. 

Last season, he nailed the Tour Championship, saying Rory McIlroy was the only player capable of making up a six-stroke deficit to get past Scheffler. "He has a lot of ground to make up," Holliman said, "but he is the most well-rounded player in this field, so if anyone can do it, he can." The Northern Irishman was actually down by 10 through two holes Sunday but stormed back to claim the title. Anyone who has followed Holliman's predictions is way up on their golf picks.

Now, Holliman has ranked his top golfers from the 2023 WM Phoenix Open field. You can only see his fantasy golf rankings and WM Phoenix Open picks at SportsLine.

2023 WM Phoenix Open fantasy golf picks

Holliman has absolutely no qualms backing McIlroy this week, and why would he? It seems like all the Northern Irishman has done lately is win. He has finished in the top 10 in 12 of his past 14 tournaments worldwide, a stretch that started with a victory at the Canadian Open. He has since won the Tour Championship, the CJ Cup and his most recent DP World Tour event. His victory in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic two weeks ago was his seventh straight top-five finish worldwide. Now McIlroy is gearing up for the Masters, so he won't let off the gas anytime soon.  

On the other hand, Holliman is slightly fading Rahm, even though he might be on an even better run than McIlroy. The Spaniard has four victories in his past six worldwide starts and tied for seventh at the Farmers his last time out. Still, Holliman saw some vulnerability in Rahm's game at Torrey Pines, where Rahm shot 73 in the first round and 74 on Sunday. The 28-year-old ranks 139th in scrambling, which is a key stat for TPC Scottsdale. Rahm has finished between ninth and 13th each of the past six years in Phoenix, and Holliman expects a similar finish this week. You can see who else to back this week at SportsLine.

How to set your 2023 WM Phoenix Open golf rankings

For the WM Phoenix Open 2023, Holliman is backing several longshots, including one higher than 25-1 who comes off an excellent finish. This golfer has also never missed the cut at this event. You can find out who it is, and check out all of Holliman's PGA picks, only at SportsLine.

Who wins the 2023 WM Phoenix Open? Who are the top PGA Tour players to target for your WM Phoenix Open fantasy picks? And which overlooked players can help you win your league this week? Visit SportsLine now to get Jim Holliman's Fantasy golf rankings for the 2023 WM Phoenix Open, all from the fantasy expert with his finger on the pulse of the game, and find out.