Event Info
Starts: 15th October 2020
Course: Shadow Creek, Las Vegas
Par: 72
Length: 7,527 yards
2019 Champion: Justin Thomas (Different Course)
Results
Overall Profit/Loss: -7pts
Pre-Event Six to Watch
T45th Sungjae Im - 40/1 @ Bet365
T59th Paul Casey - 60/1 @Bet365
T52nd Brendon Todd - 70/1 @Bet365
T65th Mackenzie Hughes - 100/1 @Bet365
T42nd Cameron Champ - 150/1 @ Bet365
T38th Joel Dahmen - 200/1 @Skybet
In-Play Bets: -7pts
16 October 2020 ( -6 Points)
1pt Each Way Si Woo Kim (1/5 1,2,3,4,5) - 45/1 @ Betfred
1pt Each Way Jason Day (1/5 1,2,3,4,5) - 45/1 @888 Sport
1pt Each Way Si Woo Kim (1/5 1,2,3,4,5) - 66/1 @ Betfred
18 October 2020 ( -1 Points)
0.5pts Each Way Bubba Watson (1/4 1,2,3) - 200/1 @ Bet365
Preview
Course Info
Course Designer: Tom Fazio
Tournament played here since: New Course
Type of Course: Resort, Desert
Fairways: Important to hit with thick Bermuda rough lurking.
Greens: Average size Bentgrass greens running 12 on Stimpmeter.
Par 5's: 4th, 7th, 16th, 18th
Water Hazards: In play on 8 of the holes.
Premium on: Driving Accuracy
Significant Info To Be Aware Of
The field is only 78 this week with no halfway cut.
Continue to exercise caution in relation to Covid-19 related withdrawals. Pre-tournament favourite Dustin Johnson has already withdrawn with Covid-19, as has Tony Finau.
Be aware that Titleist have introduced a new prototype Pro V1 ball last week so players using that brand will likely be affected, positively or negatively.
Trends
Winning Score: Shadow Creek makes it's first appearance so no trends with winning score.
Course Form: None available as venue has changed.
Recent Form: Each of the past three champions have been in very good form. All three had won in the couple of months preceding but this obviously applies to a different course.
Favourites or Outsiders: The last 3 winners of the CJ Cup have all been ranked inside the top 5 of the world.
Stats Analysis
No stats analysis available for course as it hosts for the first time.
In Play
Tough Holes
6th is long par 4, stroke index 1. 13th is most difficult par 3.
Birdie Holes:
Par 5's (4th, 7th, 16th and 18th) are mainly reachable in two with the 16th being the exception, only the longer hitters should reach in two there. 11th is a driveable par 4.
Fast or Slow Start
N/A
Six To Watch
Sungjae Im - 40/1 @ Bet365
With reports of thick Bermuda rough, we may be looking for someone in total control of their driver and judging by the stats last week Sungjae fits the profile. He ranked 1st for SG: Off the tee, 1st for driving accuracy. As an added bonus he ranked 1st for greens in regulation and 3rd for SG: Tee to green also. If his putter can heat up he will contend with those stats. Form figures of 13-28-22-12 show very consistent golf and he may not be far off repeating that impressive win at Honda earlier this year.
Paul Casey - 60/1 @Bet365
We are surprised to see Paul as big as 60/1, given the reduced field and withdrawals of Finau and DJ. The missed cut last week has obviously influenced the price but don't worry about that too much in what was largely a putting contest. His 2nd place finish at the PGA Championship followed a run of MC-MC-67th so he has shown bad form can be overturned. A 4th, 5th and 12th places at a similar design at Quail Hollow (a Fazio design) in the last three years bodes well.
Brendon Todd - 70/1 @Bet365
We're going to keep things simple with this selection. Todd is one of the most consistent players on tour this year and finding fairways will be a big plus. His career changing stretch of win-win-4th came at the end of last season and he should be relishing a return to action after a few weeks off. Finishes of 23-21-8 in his last three starts (which were elite fields) show his game isn't far off.
Mackenzie Hughes - 100/1 @Bet365
We can't ignore the Canadian's form of late, 3rd, 7th, 10th and 13th in his last 5 starts is extremely consistent golf. Throw in a 6th at Memorial, 3rd at Travelers and 2nd a Honda (originally a Fazio design) and it has been a remarkable year. All that's missing is a win. Las Vegas local Maverick McNealy mentioned it is a tough course and scoring won't be too low, so that will play to Mackenzie's strengths.
Cameron Champ - 150/1 @ Bet365
This is a bit of a roll of the dice as Cameron has shown no form since the PGA Championship. A Thursday 67 last week showed that he isn't far off putting a few rounds together and when he does he is extremely clinical. He has three wins in the last two years and both PGA Tour victories came September/October. We highlighted driving to be key around Shadow Creek and Champ was 2nd for SG: Off the tee last season and sits 22nd this year (up from 46th last week).
Joel Dahmen - 200/1 @Skybet
Apart from a 10th place at the PGA Championship, Joel has failed to match the performances he was producing at the beginning of the year - but a trip to Shadow Creek might just remind him of the venues where he has had most success. He is a good performer on Tom Fazio designs, with a 5th place at Genesis this year and a 2nd at Quail Hollow in 2019 (16th in 2018). Both of these were in good fields also, he is not scared of placing in elite company.
