2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Preview
Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
October 8 – October 11
TPC Summerlin | Las Vegas, NV
Par 71 – 7,255 Yards
Defending: Kevin Na (-23) def. Patrick Cantlay (Playoff)
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Sergio Garcia won Sanderson Farms with his eyes literally closed. He’s been so bad on the green he’ll try anything and this week it worked, as Sergio gained 2.83 total strokes putting on the way to his first PGA Tour victory since the 2017 Masters (11th overall). Rounding out the top five were Peter Malnati (-18), J.T. Poston (-17), Henrik Norlander and Keegan Bradley (-15). The betting side wasn’t terrible as we picked up a Top 5 for J.T. Poston (+1400) and a Top 10 for Tyler McCumber (+1000).
Las Vegas is on deck this week for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin. The tournament has been played since 1983 so we have some better data than in past weeks. Winners in 8 of the last 10 tournaments have reached 20-under or better at the Par 71 – 7,255 yard course that plays pretty wide open. So, no surprise to see bomber and elite putter Bryson DeChambeau the heavy favorite at +750. Bryson is followed by Webb Simpson (+1200), Collin Morikawa (+1600), Patrick Cantlay (+1800), and Hideki Matsuyama (+2000). Kevin Na (+6600) is a two-time Shriners champ (2011 and 2019) and Patrick has finished 2nd, 2nd, 1st over the last three years. Bryson DeChambeau has a win in 2018 and Webb Simpson won here in 2013. Three time winner Jim Furyk (1999, 1998, 1995) is on the Champions Tour this week so will not be in the Shriners’ field.
The field is much improved over last week including other notables like Matthew Wolff (+2200), Rickie Fowler (+3300), Louis Oosthuizen (+4000), Joaquin Niemann (+4500) and Sergio Garcia (+5000).
The Course
TPC Summerlin | Las Vegas, NV
Par 71 – 7,255 Yards
Par 3’s: 197, 239, 168, 196
Par 4’s: 408, 469, 492, 450, 430, 382, 420, 448, 442, 341, 444
Par 5’s: 563, 606, 560
The course will play short with not too much to worry about if you miss the fairway (shocker, minimal water in the desert), but there are plenty of bunkers protecting the greens.
Par 4 Scoring from 400-450 yards will be key this week with seven holes that length at TPC Summerlin.
Short courses with winners reaching 20-under par will always benefit great putters so keep SG Putting in mind this week along with Birdie or Better Percentage (can narrow to par 4 birdie or better with par 4’s this week). The shorter course certainly keeps shorter hitters in play, but longer Driving Distance will keep wedges in players hands all week, a big advantage when you need to shoot low. We’re staying with the stats from last week with Strokes Gained Tee to Green factoring into models as well.
Longer hitters will be playing a lot of approach shots from 125-150 yards (shorter for Bryson of course) and average drivers of the ball will be playing from the 150-175 yard range, making both worth looking at as a differentiator.
Scoring Holes: The par 5’s (#9, #13, and #16) will provide the most scoring opportunities but the reachable 341 yard par 4 15th hole will be the most fun to watch. It’s scored almost a half stroke under par in prior tournaments.
Problem Holes: Hole #3, a 492 yard par 4, is the most difficult on the course and is a par 5 during normal play at TPC Summerlin. Next, the 239 yard par 3 8th hole scores over par every year and produces as many bogeys as any other hole.
Past Champions
2019: Kevin Na (-23) def. Patrick Cantlay (Playoff)
2018: Bryson DeChambeau (-21) def. Patrick Cantlay (-20)
2017: Patrick Cantlay (-9) def. Alex Cejka; Kim Meen-whee (Playoff)
2016: Rod Pampling (-20) def. Brooks Koepka (-18)
2015: Smylie Kaufman (-16) def. Jason Bohn; Alex Cejka; Patton Kizzire; Kevin Na; Brett Stegmaier; Cameron Tringale (-15)
2014: Ben Martin (-20) def. Kevin Streelman (-18)
2013: Webb Simpson (-24) def. Jason Bohn; Ryo Ishikawa (-18)
2012: Ryan Moore (-24) def. Brendon de Jonge (-23)
2011: Kevin Na (-23) def. Nick Watney (-21)
2010: Jonathan Byrd (-21) def. Martin Laird; Cameron Percy (Playoff)****
**** In the 2010 tournament, Jonathan Byrd made a hole in one on the fourth hole of a three-man sudden-death playoff to win.
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