Weekly Preview: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

TPC Summerlin
Las Vegas, NV

The PGA Tour heads to Vegas this week as many of the game's big stars come back into the fold. When the new schedule came into play a few years ago, it not only brought more intrigue into the fall portion of the schedule, but also more big names out of the woodwork earlier than before. It's not that we see big names every week -- anyone who followed last week's event can attest to that -- but it feels like the better golfers make more of an effort now that the season begins -- rather than ends -- in the fall. An added bonus this week: not only is the field strong, but many of the top golfers have a nice track record at this course. Speaking of the course, it's been in play for almost two decades, so we'll have plenty of history to comb through this week. If anything, recent form could be an issue, as many of these guys have been absent since the U.S. Open, and it's even tough to take too much from that event given how much harder it plays than most other tournaments.

LAST YEAR

Kevin Na shot a final-round 70 on his way to a playoff victory over Patrick Cantlay.

FAVORITES

Bryson DeChambeau (7-1)

There is nothing to dislike about DeChambeau this week, with the possible exception of the major hangover. Something tells me that won't be an issue. DeChambeau was in fine form when we last saw him at the U.S. Open and he returns to a spot where he's had a lot of success already. DeChambeau won this event in 2018 and finished T4 in 2019.

Webb Simpson (11-1)

Simpson was outstanding last season and there's little reason to think he'll slow down much, if at all. Simpson has a solid track record at this event as well. He won it in 2014 and he's carded a total of four top-10s in just nine starts here.

Patrick Cantlay (18-1)

If not for two golfers in front of him, Cantlay would have much leaner odds this week. As it is, he's got quite the hill to climb to get above those two. Cantlay didn't have a great season this past year, but his track record here is outstanding with a win and two runner-ups in three starts.

THE NEXT TIER

Hideki Matsuyama (22-1)

Though we haven't seen him at his best in a while, Matsuyama has played well recently and he seems close to putting it all together. His track record here is limited, but he did post top-20 results both times he teed it up.

Matthew Wolff (25-1)

Wolff's upside was never in doubt. Almost from day one as a PGA Tour golfer he showed he could contend -- and win. Consistency was a problem early on, but that is no longer an issue, as Wolff has run off all kinds of quality results over the last several months. Wolff has the opportunity to really make a mark on Tour, and he should get his new season off to a nice start.

Harris English (30-1)

English is coming in off his best season on Tour, one in which he earned over $3 million. Though he failed to find a win, he did post one runner-up and one 3rd-place finish. English's record at this event is a bit scattered, but he made the cut in five of his six starts and finished T4 in 2017.

LONG SHOTS

Abraham Ancer (60-1)

Ancer has been hit-or-miss at this event -- more often missing than hitting -- but he did post a top-5 here in 2019. While he hasn't been in top form over the past couple months, he's played well enough to make me think he can be a factor this week if everything falls just right. Ancer is coming off a career year and is getting to a point where he's a threat to win almost every time out.

Henrik Norlander (100-1)

Norlander got off to a poor start this season, missing the cut in the season's first two events. However, he got back on track this past week at the Sanderson Farms Championship with a T4. Particularly encouraging was the way he finished, with a 69-65 on the weekend.

ONE-AND-DONE LEAGUES

Highly-owned Pick:: Bryson DeChambeau - It's certainly a bold move to take someone of DeChambeau's caliber this early in the season, but when is he going to be 7-1 again? There is the unknown of how he will respond after winning his first major, but he seems to have the mental aspect down, so it probably won't be a factor.

Moderately-owned Pick: Patrick Cantlay - Expectations were high for Cantlay entering this past season, and while he had some moments, on the whole, his campaign was a disappointment. I bring this up because last season, you probably wouldn't have taken him so early, but that might not be the case this year. He will have his work cut out for him, but his odds might never be better in the months ahead.

Lightly-owned Pick: Sergio Garcia - Strike while the iron is hot, right? No one expected Garcia to win this past week and that didn't stop him, so who's to say he can't do it again? Okay, the competition is much tougher, but nothing is stopping Garcia from finishing well this week. Besides, it's not like there are a lot of great places to use him.

Buyer Beware: Scottie Scheffler - Scheffler had everything lined up for a nice showing this past week at the Sanderson Farms event, but he fell flat on his way to a T37. It was the first time we saw him since his COVID-related absence and he was less than impressive. Perhaps he needs more time to get back on track.

Last Week: Sungjae Im - (T28) - $46,200 

Season Total: $87,591  

This Week: Matthew Wolff - I just can't get myself to go too big this early in the season. I know that you should always take a golfer when his odds are the best and I doubt we'll see anything lower than 7-1 on DeChambeau this season, but it's a new season and we don't know how he'll respond to winning a major. Wolff was playing well when we last saw him and I'm not worried about burning him now.

FANDUEL PICKS  

Upper Range: Bryson DeChambeau ($12,200)
Middle Range: Abraham Ancer ($9,800)
Lower Range: Henrik Norlander ($8,700)

SURVIVOR LEAGUES

Last Week: Sebastian Munoz (T23)

Streak: 2

This Week: Patrick Cantlay - Cantlay has been automatic here in his three starts, never finishing worse than T2. Unlike the OAD format it's fine to use a bigger name this early since the no-cut events mean you won't need to save as many golfers. Take the sure thing when you can get it in this format.