BlogShriners Hospitals Preview and Picks

Shriners Hospitals for Children’s Open

October 17 -20, 2013

TPC Summerlin

Las Vegas, Nev.

Par: 71 / Yardage:

Purse: $6 Million

with $1,080,000 to the winner

Defending Champion:
Ryan Moore

by Sal Johnson

Founder, Chief Data Officer, GOLFstats

E-mail me at:
sal@golfstats.com

This week’s field includes:

The field includes 7 of the top 50 in the latest Official World Rankings, with the highest rank player being #11 Zach Johnson.   The other top 50 players are #24 Webb Simpson, #27 Nick Watney, #29 Hideki Matsuyama, #32 Graham Delaet, #45 Jimmy Walker and #46 Ryan Moore.

The field includes 5 of the Top 25 on last year’s final FedEx point standings for 2013.  Those players include #5 Zach Johnson, #8 Graham DeLaet, #11 Webb Simpson, #12 Brandt Snedeker and #15 Nick Watney

The field includes four players in the top 25 on last year’s PGA Tour money list, #9 Zach Johnson, #20 Webb Simpson, #21 Graham DeLaet and #24 Nick Watney.

The field includes 9 past champions: Ryan Moore (2012), Kevin Na (2011), Jonathan Byrd (2010), Martin Laird (2009), Marc Turnesa (2008), George McNeill (2007), Troy Matteson (2006), Stuart Appleby (2003) and Bob Estes (2001).

A perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open field is our performance chart listed by average finish. One last way to check who is the best is through a special formula worked out in Golfstats that gives us the best average performances at Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in the last five years or check out our sortable 8-year glance at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.

A good cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmakers in England.

Another cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmaker in Las Vegas.

 

 

Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:

Who’s Hot in the field for the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals

Player Frys.com Open Tour Championship BMW Deutsche Bank Barclays Classic Wyndham Championship PGA Championship WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Reno-Tahoe Open RBC Canadian Open British Open Sanderson Farms
Zach Johnson
(335.17 pts)
DNP T7
(55)
Win
(132)
T27
(11.5)
DNP T5
(23.33)
T8
(33.33)
T4
(40)
DNP DNP T6
(40)
DNP
Hideki Matsuyama
(188.17 pts)
T3
(90)
DNP DNP DNP DNP 15
(11.67)
T19
(20.67)
T21
(14.5)
DNP T16
(11.33)
T6
(40)
DNP
Webb Simpson
(171.17 pts)
DNP 4
(80)
T24
(26)
T53
(0)
T15
(17.5)
T11
(13)
T25
(16.67)
T14
(18)
DNP DNP T64
(0)
DNP
Nick Watney
(152.33 pts)
DNP T14
(36)
2
(100)
T35
(7.5)
T9
(22.5)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
T44
(3)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP
Jimmy Walker
(149.33 pts)
Win
(132)
DNP T11
(39)
CUT
(-5)
T54
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP
Graham Delaet
(129 pts)
DNP 28
(22)
T28
(22)
3
(45)
T2
(50)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
83
(0)
DNP
Brendon De Jonge
(114.67 pts)
DNP T18
(32)
T18
(32)
T9
(22.5)
T19
(15.5)
T52
(0)
T33
(11.33)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T46
(1.33)
Rory Sabbatini
(106.17 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T11
(39)
T53
(0)
T13
(18.5)
T8
(16.67)
DNP DNP T7
(18.33)
T12
(12.67)
DNP T17
(11)
Vijay Singh
(96.33 pts)
2
(100)
DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T68
(0)
DNP DNP T31
(6.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP
Daniel Summerhays
(90.17 pts)
T40
(10)
DNP T28
(22)
T22
(14)
T15
(17.5)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T2
(33.33)
Kevin Na
(90 pts)
T3
(90)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Brian Harman
(88 pts)
T7
(55)
DNP DNP CUT
(-5)
CUT
(-5)
T3
(30)
DNP DNP T11
(13)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T40
(3.33)
Matt Jones
(83.5 pts)
DNP DNP T8
(50)
CUT
(-5)
T33
(8.5)
T5
(23.33)
T40
(6.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Brooks Koepka
(83.33 pts)
T3
(90)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T70
(0)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP
Ryan Moore
(72 pts)
DNP DNP T11
(39)
75
(0)
T25
(12.5)
DNP T55
(0)
T33
(8.5)
DNP DNP T32
(12)
DNP
Scott Brown
(71.67 pts)
T3
(90)
DNP DNP CUT
(-5)
T62
(0)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP T61
(0)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP
John Merrick
(70 pts)
DNP DNP T18
(32)
T53
(0)
T50
(0.5)
DNP T47
(2)
T19
(15.5)
DNP T6
(20)
DNP DNP
Jason Kokrak
(62.83 pts)
T12
(38)
DNP T44
(6)
T73
(0)
T9
(22.5)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP T31
(6.33)
DNP DNP
Chris Kirk
(62.67 pts)
DNP DNP T24
(26)
T16
(17)
CUT
(-5)
T65
(0)
T57
(0)
DNP DNP T21
(9.67)
DNP T9
(15)
David Hearn
(62.5 pts)
T21
(29)
DNP T28
(22)
T35
(7.5)
T72
(0)
DNP T47
(2)
DNP DNP T44
(2)
DNP DNP
Scott Piercy
(62 pts)
DNP DNP T69
(0)
T13
(18.5)
T43
(3.5)
DNP T5
(46.67)
T59
(0)
DNP T52
(0)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP
George McNeill
(56.83 pts)
T7
(55)
DNP DNP DNP T43
(3.5)
T60
(0)
DNP DNP DNP DQ
(-1.67)
DNP DNP
Brendon Todd
(56.33 pts)
T26
(24)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T26
(8)
DNP DNP T13
(12.33)
DNP DNP T14
(12)
David Toms
(56 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T16
(11.33)
7
(36.67)
DNP T16
(11.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Kevin Stadler
(53.17 pts)
DNP DNP T33
(17)
T4
(40)
T43
(3.5)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T32
(6)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

Who’s Not Hot in the field for the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals

Player Frys.com Open Tour Championship BMW Deutsche Bank Barclays Classic Wyndham Championship PGA Championship WGC-Bridgestone Invitational Reno-Tahoe Open RBC Canadian Open British Open Sanderson Farms
Derek Ernst
(-33.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP CUT
(-5)
CUT
(-5)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
T57
(0)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Lucas Glover
(-29.17 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP WD
(-2.5)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP
Carl Pettersson
(-20 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP T54
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
70
(0)
DNP DNP T54
(0)
DNP
Erik Compton
(-18.17 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP CUT
(-5)
T43
(3.5)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
Ben Curtis
(-16.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T66
(0)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T64
(0)
DNP
Stephen Ames
(-16.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP
John Senden
(-13 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP T62
(0)
T29
(7)
T70
(0)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-6.67)
DNP
Ted Potter, Jr.
(-12.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-5)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP T32
(6)
DNP DNP DNP
Andrew Svoboda
(-12 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T37
(4.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T49
(0.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Pat Perez
(-11.67 pts)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP T70
(0)
CUT
(-5)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

The Buzz:

A very popular event, it has all of the glamour of Las Vegas on a course that a lot of players like to play on.  Other than the WGC-HSBC Champions this event will probably have the most marquee names.  For some this will be a fun week with a little bit of golf mixed in with the fast-pace action of Las Vegas.

Founded in 1983 as the Panasonic Las Vegs Pro-Celebrity Classic, the event has undergone six name changes in the events history. Frys.Com became the Title Sponsor for the event in 2006, replacing its former title, the Michelin Championship at Las Vegas.  2007 was the final year of Fry’s involvement and in 2008 Justin Timberlake took on the duties of becoming the tournament presenter with Shriners Hospitals for Children sponsoring the event.  Timberlake is no longer associated with the tournament.

At the tournament’s inception, the managers of the tournament prided themselves on running a tournament that stood out amongst the slew of annual PGA events. It was the first event to offer a total purse of $1 million; at the trophy presentation, the winner used to receive his trophy with two showgirls by his side. Though these ideas help separate the event from others, the most drastic deviation from the norm is the tournament’s format, which in a way “borrowed” the format at the Bob Hope Open.

In its inception, the tournament was played over five rounds at between three and four courses. However, in 2003, when the original tournament founders abdicated control to another volunteer organization, the event was immediately switched to the more conventional four round format. Over the years courses have been dropped and for the sixth straight year it’s only played on the TPC Summerlin.  Also dropped was the pro-am during the event.

One thing about this event, it’s always nice winning an event but for some of it’s past champions they never got back to the winners circle again on the PGA Tour.  Looked at the 13 past winners since 2000, only six Jonathan Byrd (2010), Martin Laird (2009), George McNeill (2007), Troy Matteson (2006), Stuart Appleby (2003) and Bob Estes (2001) won again.  The others, Ryan Moore (2012), Kevin Na (2011), Marc Turnesa (2008), Wes Short Jr. (2005), Andre Stolz (2004), Phil Tataurangi (2002) and Billy Andrade (2000) never made it back to the winners circle and some of them don’t even play anymore on the PGA Tour.

Course information:

TPC Summerlin was designed by Bobby Weed and Fuzzy Zoeller in 1992. The Par 71 course measures 7,243 yards. It has a course rating of 74.3 and a slope rating of 139. The tees, fairways, and rough all comprise of 419 Bermuda Grass, cut at 3/8″, 3/8″, and 2″ respectively. The greens consist of a 1/8″ cut of A-1/A-4 Creeping Bent Grass. This short cut mixed with the always speedy Bent Grass explains the rather Stimpmeter reading of 11 feet. As for hazards, the course features 85 sand bunkers and water comes into play on four holes.

The signature hole at TPC Summerlin is the short 341-yard par four 15th hole. The large elevated green is reachable from the tee; however, numerous bunkers guard the green, making the play risky, but possibly very rewarding. As for accolades, Golf Digest rated this as the fourth “Best in State” course for 1995-96, and the fifth best for 1997-98. Also, GolfWeek awarded it 98th in the category of “America’s 100 Best Modern Courses” for 1997.<P>

Last year was the fifth time that Summerlin was the only course used and they made a big change in 2009 by changing par to 71 by making the third hole a long par 4 at 473 yards.  In addition to this change, 14 trees were added along the right side of the fairways on Nos. 9 and 16, both par 5s. The rough also was grown longer than in years past and for holes 7, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 16 the fairways are going to be between 3 and 5 yards narrower than in 2008.  All of these changed to try and make the course play a bit tougher.  In 2008 Summerlin played to an average of 69.070, while in 2009 with par reduced it played just about the same, 69.152. In 2010 it played to a 68.956 average, while in 2011 it was 68.883 and last year was 69.713 and the 40th toughest course at of 49.

Lot’s of birdies are made on this course, but if it gets windy it could be a totally different course that takes a lot of precision.  The finish is demanding with the par 3 17th hole playing the third hardest at 3.115.

Here are some of the secrets of what it takes to play well at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open:

Key stat for the winner:

Making lots of birdies is important.  The average for the last 16 years is 27 and a half and since the event went to 72 holes in 2004 it’s been 24 and a half which averages just a notch over six birdies a round.

Here are some more key stats to look to for this week:

  • With fairways that are wide open, fairways with lots of roll, dominating the par 5s has been a key.  It’s also interesting to note that in the last nine years the winners have averaged 11 under par on the par 4s.  Last year Moore was 12 under, with Jonathan Byrd being the best at 14 under in 2010 while the least lowest was 6 under by George McNeill in 2007.
  • Being a accurate driver, a long driver or a person that hits a lot of greens really doesn’t give you a big advantage.  Scrambling is very important plus not making many bogeys.  If there ever was a tournament that favors the newcomer this is it.
  • Most of the time the weather is wonderful, but every now and then high winds bring big challenges to the players, those that can handle these conditions have the advantage.
  • You have to realize were your at, in Las Vegas “lady luck” is very important in winning, a lot of players that you would never think would win have found the “luck factor” in victory.

 

Who to watch for at the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals

Best Bets:

Zach Johnson

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T10

Guess he is at the top of the list of everyone, playing the best after a good run at the FedEx Cup playoffs and did finish T10th the only time he has played at Summerlin.

Hideki Matsuyama

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
First time playing in this event

Finished T3rd last week you have to think he will be knocking on the door again and will take the experience and play well this week.

Nick Watney

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T10 2 T6 CUT T36 T59 CUT T6

Finished well in the playoffs, has some good moments in this event including T10th last year, 2nd in 2011 and T6th in 2010.

Best of the rest:

Webb Simpson

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T4 CUT

Played well at the Tour Championship finishing 4th, he also finished T4th in his last start here in 2010 so watch him.

Brooks Koepka

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
First time playing in this event

Have to think that he learned so much last week in coming close to a win. I feel that he will be a member of the PGA Tour by January, a win this week would make him a member this week.

Graham DeLaet

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T18

Finished T18th here in 2010, played well during the playoffs so he comes into this week on a high.

Kevin Na

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T22 Win T45 T15 T19 T24 WD

Watch this past champion after finishing T3rd last week at the Frys.

Solid contenders

Scott Piercy

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T6 T10 T28 T14 CUT T44 T58

Another of those with good memories of Summerlin, was T6th last year and T10th in 2011. We should also not forget that he was T5th in the PGA Championship.

Vijay Singh

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T36

Can’t forget him after playing so well last week. Still the question mark will be, last week was a shotmaker course, this week it’s about making a lot of putts and birdies, can Vijay still make a lot of birdies?

Jimmy Walker

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T10 CUT CUT CUT

Can’t forget about last weeks winner, he was T10th at this event last year and does make a lot of birdies.

Robert Garrigus

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T22 T16 T58 T47 T36 T3 T75

Seems to have made lot’s of cuts, was T3rd at this event in 2007.

Long shots that could come through:

Spencer Levin

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T5 T4 T54

Good record in this event with two top-fives in three starts, was T12th at Frys so watch him.

Brian Harman

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
CUT

Yes he missed the cut last year but was T7th at the Frys and T3rd at the Wyndham.

Richard H. Lee

2012 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03 ’02 ’01
T6

Did finish T6th at Summerlin last year.

Comments

  1. So who do we watch for?

  2. I pushed a wrong button, it’s up there now, sorry.