The Shriners Hospitals for Children Open returns just west of Las Vegas to TPC Summerlin, where Patrick Cantlay aims to defend his title. The last event was pretty atypical of the low scoring we usually see in Summerlin as the winning score was only -9 due to high winds and not one player shot four rounds in the 60s. The Shriners probably has the best field it has had in many years with Rickie Fowler (10/1 at William Hill) and Jordan Spieth (12/1) committing to play this year.
Fowler and Spieth are two of five Ryder Cuppers in the field this week along with Tony Finau (10/1), Bryson DeChambeau (12/1) and Webb Simpson (15/1).
Top plays
Beau Hossler (50/1) — Hossler was the 54-hole co-leader here last year before finishing seventh. He shot 66 in the final round at the CJ Cup in South Korea two weeks ago and also had rounds of 65 and 66 at the CIMB in Malaysia three weeks ago, so he looks like a player in the mid-price range who is peaking at the right time.
Sam Burns (75/1) — The 22-year old LSU Tiger comes off a third-place finish at the Sanderson Farms Championship last week. Most golf viewers probably know him best because he was the final round (T-7) playing partner of Tiger Woods at the Honda Classic this year. He made his first cut in a major with a T-41 at the U.S. Open. Burns was 20th last year in his Las Vegas debut.
J.J. Spaun (+225 in field) — The 36- and 54-hole leader here last year before a 10th-place finish, Spaun has the rep of being a West Coast and altitude specialist. He posted his best finish in a few months with a top 10 in South Korea two weeks ago which was at altitude and has a similar feel to Summerlin. Spaun has to feel he let one get away last year with a bad couple final holes and surely he should be motivated for redemption here.