This article is part of our FanDuel PGA DFS Picks series.
Shriners Open
TPC Summerlin (7,255 yards, par 71)
$7.0M Purse
$1,260,000 and 500 FedEx Cup points to the winner
Tournament Preview
LAS VEGAS, NV – After last week's international WGC in Shanghai and alternate event in Mississippi, the PGA Tour skips to the West Coast desert for the Shriners Open in Las Vegas. Since 2008, TPC Summerlin has hosted this event that philanthropically benefits children in the Shriner's Hospital network. In fact, 22 kids, one from each campus around the U.S., will serve as standard bearers the final two days of the tournament. The course itself features natural amphitheaters carved from the rugged Nevada desert, offering an enjoyable spectator experience. In classic Las Vegas style, the final four holes offer much potential for drama starting with the drivable par-4 15th and ending with a difficult par-4 finisher. This year's field is among the most talented in years, headlined by Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Bryson DeChambeau, and defending champion Patrick Cantlay. Despite the decorated field, TPC Summerlin has historically offered PGA Tour rookies and other winless entrants a great chance at their first victory, with 11 of the last 16 winners claiming their first career "W." Pleasant weather is in the forecast, so expect the winning score to approach 20-under par.
Recent Past Champions
2017 – Patrick Cantlay
2016 – Rod Pampling
2015 – Smylie Kaufman
2014 – Ben Martin
2013 – Webb Simpson
2012 – Ryan Moore
2011 – Kevin Na
2010 – Jonathan Byrd
2009 – Martin Laird
2008 – Marc Turnesa
Key Stats to Victory
• Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green
• Strokes Gained: Putting
• Par-4 Scoring Average
Champion's Profile
Analyzing the last decade at TPC Summerlin, around 52 percent of the variation in scores can be attributed to putting and short game within 100 yards of the green. This is slightly higher than a typical PGA Tour event, so targeting players with strong stats in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green and Strokes Gained: Putting is a good place to start. Par-4 scoring average is relevant this week due to one additional par-4 on the scorecard, compared to a typical par-72 layout. Given this profile it's not surprising that both youngsters and veterans can compete in this event. Driving it long doesn't provide a material benefit since the course plays shorter than the yardage indicates in the thin desert air.
FanDuel Value Picks
The Chalk
Jordan Spieth, $12400 – Playing TPC Summerlin for the first time in his career, Spieth will look to get off to a good start in the FedExCup race after failing to make it to the TOUR Championship last season. Still just 25 years of age, the talented but experienced Spieth should find himself in the mix come Sunday, especially with his short game back to an elite level.
Rickie Fowler, $12200 – Fowler has played sporadically at TPC Summerlin throughout his young career, but he's finished inside the top-25 in each of his three career starts. Fowler's game has very few weaknesses, so it would hardly be a surprise to see him notch a fourth-straight top-25 at this venue.
Tony Finau, $12000 – Coming off a playoff loss last week in Shanghai, Finau brings his steady play back to the States as one of the top players in the field. The 29-year-old has played elite golf for the past few months, finishing seventh in the FedExCup Standings while earning top-10s in three of four majors last season. It's not just his form either; Finau has finished inside the top-16 three of the past four seasons at TPC Summerlin, making him a no-brainer pick this week.
Webb Simpson, $11700 – Simpson has been one of the top talents in this field each of the seven years he's played, collecting three top-10s, including his win in the 2014 season. Simpson is a natural fit for this course with his accuracy-first driving, and world class irons and short game. Though there are some elite talents ahead of him in the field this year, Simpson's familiarity with this course should give him an equally good chance of winning.
Longer Shots Worth a Risk
Chesson Hadley, $9800 – Hadley owns two top-5 finishes at TPC Summerlin in four career starts. His strong tee-to-green game couple well with his good putting, so make sure to include this value option in most of your lineups.
Aaron Wise, $9800 – Wise is 2-for-2 in made cuts at TPC Summerlin, including a top-10 two years back. And what's more, he has improved dramatically in the past year, collecting his first win and nearly $3.5 million in earnings last season. Though Wise is considered average when it comes to short game and putting, his talent at this price makes him a worthy choice.
Patrick Rodgers, $9300 – Though Rodgers has missed 3-of-4 cuts here, his lone made cut resulted in a T13. His upside is high in a slightly weaker field given his ability to make birdies. Consider Rodgers a nice filler pick, who comes with risk but also plenty of upside.
Cameron Champ, $9200 – Fresh off his four-shot romping last week at the Sanderson Farms Championship for his first PGA Tour victory, the powerful Champ is beaming with confidence. Though his huge distance advantage is somewhat muted at TPC Summerlin, his confidence should not be, making him a great value at this price.
Strategy Tips for this week (based on 60k standard salary cap)
With the tendency for first-time winners at this event, there's plenty of opportunity to pick young, trending players to collect their maiden trophy on the PGA Tour. However, don't ignore the fact that the field has substantially strengthened this year with names like Spieth and Fowler topping the list. It seems the prudent strategy is to blend some big names with a couple trending options, but make sure include 1-2 veterans with good short games. This course is subtly challenging around the greens, so veterans who would normally be written off can compete here. Players such as Alex Cejka, Jason Bohn, and Rod Pampling have done just that in recent years.
