2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open Picks

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 2^nd, 2^nd, 1^st 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 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.

See the full course and tournament preview here.

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 (Bryson even less)and average drivers of the ball will be playing from the 150-175 yard range, making both worth looking at as a differentiator.

Outright Golf Bets

DFS Picks by Tier (DK Pricing)

Webb Simpson 11000

Webb is the pick in the 10k and above range this week. Webb Simpson comes in this week at #6 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #10 in SG putting and #67 in the field for driving distance. Webb also ranks #3 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #23 for SG tee to green. Webb’s got a win and a couple other top 5’s here making him one of our top plays in the 10k+ range this week.

Matthew Wolff 9600

Wolff is the pick in the 9k range this week. Wolff comes in this week at #14 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #89 in SG putting and #5 in the field for driving distance. Wolff also ranks #31 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #8 for SG tee to green. Wolff had a T18 here last year and an impressive performance at the PGA Championship with a solo second place finish his last time out. His length should help him here, Wolff should be in the mix this week.

Cameron Davis 8200

Davis is the pick in the 8k range this week. Davis comes in this week at #1 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #6 in SG putting and #33 in the field for driving distance. Davis also ranks #2 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #20 for SG tee to green. Davis has a T28 at Shriners back in 2018 in his only appearance so he’ll have some familiarity with the course. He was impressive last week with a T6 at Sanderson and is constantly at the top of our stat models each week. At 8200 he’s got good upside this week.

Kristoffer Ventura 7100

Ventura is the pick in the 7k range this week. Ventura comes in this week at #3 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #12 in SG putting and #25 in the field for driving distance. Ventura also ranks #7 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #17 for SG tee to green. Ventura’s got two top 10’s in his last three events and has made the cut in six straight events. He’s played here twice with a T18 last year. At 7100 Ventura has plenty of upside this week.

Cameron Tringale 6900

Tringale is the pick in the 6k range this week. Tringale comes in this week at #11 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #15 in SG putting and #53 in the field for driving distance. Tringale also ranks #17 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #50 for SG tee to green. Tringale was -7 going into the weekend in Mississippi but couldn’t keep it rolling through the weekend. He’s not too long off the tee but he’s been striking the ball well over the past few months. He hasn’t played this event since 2018 but he played the eight years prior with mixed results including a second place finish in 2016. We’re just looking for Tringale to make the weekend here.

DFS Quick Picks (DK Pricing)

Bryson DeChambeau 11800

DeChambeau is far and away the favorite this week and for good reason. Bryson DeChambeau comes in this week at #2 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #13 in SG putting and #1 in the field for driving distance. DeChambeau also ranks #69 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #92 for SG tee to green. Bryson’s last three finishes here were 4th, 1st, and 7th.

Kevin Na 8600

Na has won this tournament twice so that’s probably enough to go on by itself. Na comes in this week at just #103 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #34 in SG putting and #111 in the field for driving distance. Na also ranks #111 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #114 for SG tee to green. Na is the defending champ and also won here in 2012.

Brian Harman 8000

Harman is the pick in the 8k range this week. Harman comes in this week at #5 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #7 in SG putting and #50 in the field for driving distance. Harman also ranks #4 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #43 for SG tee to green. Harman has made 7 cuts in a row including two top 12 or better performances. At 8000 he’s got solid upside this week.

Harold Varner III 7500

Varner III has made four cuts in a row at this tournament with a top 15 in 2019. Varner III comes in this week at #20 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #66 in SG putting and #47 in the field for driving distance. Varner III also ranks #9 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #7 for SG tee to green. HVIII was great off the tee and on approach last year so if he can get the putter going he should be in good shape.

Sam Burns 7400

Burns seems like a great value play at this price. Burns comes in this week at #4 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #51 in SG putting and #7 in the field for driving distance. Burns also ranks #11 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #22 for SG tee to green. Burns has missed the cut here twice, but more recently has played good golf with a T7 at the Safeway Open.

Xinjun Zhang 6600

Zhang can be a bit of a wildcard, but if he makes the cut he should have a chance to jump up the leaderboard. Zhang comes in this week at #53 in our overall stat model. He came in ranking #47 in SG putting and #63 in the field for driving distance. Zhang also ranks #61 in the field for birdie or better percentage and #59 for SG tee to green. Zhang finished 16th here last year and has 4 top 15 finishes in his last eight starts on the tour.