PGA Tour Tips & Preview
Shriners Hospital for Children Open 2020 Preview
Starts - 8th October 2020
Course - TPC Summerlin
Par - 71 (35-36)
Length – 7,255 yards
Defending Champion - Kevin Na
Course - TPC Summerlin
Par - 71 (35-36)
Length – 7,255 yards
Defending Champion - Kevin Na
Course Info
Course Designer - Bobby Weed with Fuzzy Zoeller
Tournament played here since - 1992
Type of Course - Resort/Desert course
Fairways - Generous, rough only 2 inches (previously three inches)
Greens - Large and slow Bentgrass greens (11.5 on stimp)
Par 5's - 9th, 13th and 16th
Premium on - Accuracy
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
Continue to exercise caution in relation to Covid-19 related withdrawals. It's also early in a new season on the PGA Tour so some players may be playing with a fresh mindset.
Be aware that Titleist have introduced a new prototype Pro V1 ball this week so players using that brand will likely be affected, positively or negatively.
Weather Forecast
Wind should be fairly minimal over the first two days at around 9-10 mph. However, the weekend winds are expected to reach 14mph with gusts possibly higher. Sunny with little chance of rain all four days.
Trends
Winning Score - Generally in excess of -20, but in 2017 we saw -9 win. With wind forecast at the weekend we're unlikely to see -20.
Course Form - The last two winners, Kevin Na and Bryson DeChambeau, both had top 7 finishes here prior to winning (Na was a past champion). However, we've seen in previous years that course debutants and players with no experience can flourish.
Recent Form - Each of the past five champions had recorded a top 20 in their previous three starts.
Favourites or Outsiders - The last three years have seen established names such as Na, DeChambeau and Cantlay. Prior to those three, Rod Pampling, Smylie Kaufman and Ben Martin took the title. Outsiders shouldn't be written off.
Stats Analysis
Driving - Neither Kevin Na nor Rod Pampling ranked inside the top 30 for SG: Off The Tee so it is possible to win if other areas compensate.
Approach - Neither Kevin Na or Patrick Cantlay ranked inside the top 20 for SG: Approach so again it is possible to win if other areas compensate.
Scrambling - Neither Strokes Gained: Around the green nor Scrambling stats give us any insight - there have been mixed results.
Putting - Three of the past six winners have ranked inside the top 10 for SG: Putting and three have ranked outside the top 30.
In-play
Tough Holes - The front 9 is considerably harder than the back. In particular, the 3rd and 8th are tricky holes.
Birdie Holes - The par 5s all play well under par and the 15th is a driveable par 4.
Fast or Slow Start - Only two winners in the past six years have opened up with a 66 or better (Bryson DeChambeau (66) and Rod Pampling (60)).
*As ever, follow our daily in-play updates and tips on our Shriners Hospital for Children Open in-play page*
Course Designer - Bobby Weed with Fuzzy Zoeller
Tournament played here since - 1992
Type of Course - Resort/Desert course
Fairways - Generous, rough only 2 inches (previously three inches)
Greens - Large and slow Bentgrass greens (11.5 on stimp)
Par 5's - 9th, 13th and 16th
Premium on - Accuracy
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
Continue to exercise caution in relation to Covid-19 related withdrawals. It's also early in a new season on the PGA Tour so some players may be playing with a fresh mindset.
Be aware that Titleist have introduced a new prototype Pro V1 ball this week so players using that brand will likely be affected, positively or negatively.
Weather Forecast
Wind should be fairly minimal over the first two days at around 9-10 mph. However, the weekend winds are expected to reach 14mph with gusts possibly higher. Sunny with little chance of rain all four days.
Trends
Winning Score - Generally in excess of -20, but in 2017 we saw -9 win. With wind forecast at the weekend we're unlikely to see -20.
Course Form - The last two winners, Kevin Na and Bryson DeChambeau, both had top 7 finishes here prior to winning (Na was a past champion). However, we've seen in previous years that course debutants and players with no experience can flourish.
Recent Form - Each of the past five champions had recorded a top 20 in their previous three starts.
Favourites or Outsiders - The last three years have seen established names such as Na, DeChambeau and Cantlay. Prior to those three, Rod Pampling, Smylie Kaufman and Ben Martin took the title. Outsiders shouldn't be written off.
Stats Analysis
Driving - Neither Kevin Na nor Rod Pampling ranked inside the top 30 for SG: Off The Tee so it is possible to win if other areas compensate.
Approach - Neither Kevin Na or Patrick Cantlay ranked inside the top 20 for SG: Approach so again it is possible to win if other areas compensate.
Scrambling - Neither Strokes Gained: Around the green nor Scrambling stats give us any insight - there have been mixed results.
Putting - Three of the past six winners have ranked inside the top 10 for SG: Putting and three have ranked outside the top 30.
In-play
Tough Holes - The front 9 is considerably harder than the back. In particular, the 3rd and 8th are tricky holes.
Birdie Holes - The par 5s all play well under par and the 15th is a driveable par 4.
Fast or Slow Start - Only two winners in the past six years have opened up with a 66 or better (Bryson DeChambeau (66) and Rod Pampling (60)).
*As ever, follow our daily in-play updates and tips on our Shriners Hospital for Children Open in-play page*
Shriners Hospital for Children Open - Six To Watch
As outlined in our Tipping Record, our strategy is to focus on speciality bets and value in-play. However, we have identified the following six players if you do wish to place a bet before the event begins:
Cameron Smith - 80/1 @ Bet365
Cameron hasn't played since the US Open but was playing nicely in the run up to that. We aren't overly concerned by his lack of action given he won at Sony earlier in the year after a couple of weeks off. He's finished 10th and 13th in his last two appearances here and the rough being trimmed this year will only help him further. Ranked just outside the world's top 50, he'll be keen to push on and attempt to add a second PGA Tour title to his resume.
Adam Hadwin - 125/1 @ Bet365
Adam hasn't been seen since making the cut at the US Open but don't let that put you off. As mentioned in his Player Profile, he often does his best work after a break. His sole PGA Tour win in 2017 came after a two week break and two of his last three runner up spots have also come after a break. He has two top 10's here in four starts so there's every reason to be optimistic.
Brandt Snedeker - 140/1 @ Bet365
Brandt was in the mix last week until a disappointing final round of 73 saw him fall back to 17th. However, we are willing to forgive that on account of the fact he was gushing about his game in last week's interviews, suggesting that he was as "excited" and "confident" about his game in "years." The driving accuracy stats back that up, placing him 2nd last week. He's only played here four times but has a 10th place finish as proof the test will suit.
Kyle Stanley - 200/1 @ Bet365
Kyle boasts a couple of top 10 finishes in this event. We can forgive last year's 48th place finish when he arrived in terrible form. A missed cut last week wasn't the best preparation either but on closer inspection he actually played very well in round two on his way to a 68. He's difficult to win with but worth considering at big odds. We should also mention that Beau Hossler just missed out in this category, his putting a slight worry despite excellent long game stats.
Justin Suh - 225/1 @ Bet365
The early value has gone on Justin but he's still an interesting price to keep an eye on in play. He lives in Vegas so this is a home game for him. His last appearance was at the Puntacana, where he posted a very credible 14th place. During that event he spoke of playing bounce games with Collin Morikawa and taking the money so we're happy to roll the dice (it is Vegas after all) on Justin.
Martin Laird - 275/1 @ Bet365
Martin has struggled in recent times but a return to the site of his first PGA Tour win in 2009 may be just the tonic he needs. He finished 28th last week, driving the ball really nicely (he ranked 14th SG: Tee To Green) to set himself up for this week and if he can find a bit of form with the putter he could well post a higher finish this week. We've seen Cink and Swafford win in recent weeks so we'll turn a blind eye to the fact he hasn't won since 2013.
Cameron Smith - 80/1 @ Bet365
Cameron hasn't played since the US Open but was playing nicely in the run up to that. We aren't overly concerned by his lack of action given he won at Sony earlier in the year after a couple of weeks off. He's finished 10th and 13th in his last two appearances here and the rough being trimmed this year will only help him further. Ranked just outside the world's top 50, he'll be keen to push on and attempt to add a second PGA Tour title to his resume.
Adam Hadwin - 125/1 @ Bet365
Adam hasn't been seen since making the cut at the US Open but don't let that put you off. As mentioned in his Player Profile, he often does his best work after a break. His sole PGA Tour win in 2017 came after a two week break and two of his last three runner up spots have also come after a break. He has two top 10's here in four starts so there's every reason to be optimistic.
Brandt Snedeker - 140/1 @ Bet365
Brandt was in the mix last week until a disappointing final round of 73 saw him fall back to 17th. However, we are willing to forgive that on account of the fact he was gushing about his game in last week's interviews, suggesting that he was as "excited" and "confident" about his game in "years." The driving accuracy stats back that up, placing him 2nd last week. He's only played here four times but has a 10th place finish as proof the test will suit.
Kyle Stanley - 200/1 @ Bet365
Kyle boasts a couple of top 10 finishes in this event. We can forgive last year's 48th place finish when he arrived in terrible form. A missed cut last week wasn't the best preparation either but on closer inspection he actually played very well in round two on his way to a 68. He's difficult to win with but worth considering at big odds. We should also mention that Beau Hossler just missed out in this category, his putting a slight worry despite excellent long game stats.
Justin Suh - 225/1 @ Bet365
The early value has gone on Justin but he's still an interesting price to keep an eye on in play. He lives in Vegas so this is a home game for him. His last appearance was at the Puntacana, where he posted a very credible 14th place. During that event he spoke of playing bounce games with Collin Morikawa and taking the money so we're happy to roll the dice (it is Vegas after all) on Justin.
Martin Laird - 275/1 @ Bet365
Martin has struggled in recent times but a return to the site of his first PGA Tour win in 2009 may be just the tonic he needs. He finished 28th last week, driving the ball really nicely (he ranked 14th SG: Tee To Green) to set himself up for this week and if he can find a bit of form with the putter he could well post a higher finish this week. We've seen Cink and Swafford win in recent weeks so we'll turn a blind eye to the fact he hasn't won since 2013.
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