Daily Fantasy Golf Course Primer: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
This early in the PGA Tour season, we may not be treated to stacked fields, but we generally get easy courses that lead to low scores.
This week's Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin fits the bill. The longtime host has played under par every year since 2000, and scores almost always go low in Vegas.
What all do you need to know as we get a week with a full field and a cut for the first time in about a month?
Course and Tournament Overview
TPC Summerlin is a par 71 that spans 7,255 yards. Historically, it plays well under par. Here are the course stats since it converted to a par 71 (from a par 72) for the 2009 run.
| Season | Difficulty Rank | Course | Par | Yds | Avg Score | Avg O/U Par |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 40 | TPC Summerlin | 71 | 7,255 | 69.623 | -1.377 |
| 2016 | 34 | TPC Summerlin | 71 | 7,255 | 70.080 | -0.920 |
| 2015 | 42 | TPC Summerlin | 71 | 7,255 | 69.659 | -1.341 |
| 2014 | 43 | TPC Summerlin | 71 | 7,243 | 69.546 | -1.454 |
| 2012 | 40 | TPC Summerlin | 71 | 7,243 | 69.713 | -1.287 |
| 2011 | 44 | TPC Summerlin | 71 | 7,243 | 68.883 | -2.117 |
| 2010 | 48 | TPC Summerlin | 71 | 7,224 | 68.956 | -2.044 |
| 2009 | 46 | TPC Summerlin | 71 | 7,223 | 69.152 | -1.848 |
We finally return to a normal setup, with a cut after 36 holes for the top 70 plus ties and a full field.
Key Stats
We have a big sample of past data to work with, and the numbers suggest that these are the most important stats for scoring well at TPC Summerlin.
| Key Stats for Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin |
|---|
| Birdie or Better Rate |
| Par 5 Scoring |
| Strokes Gained: Tee to Green |
| Strokes Gained: Approach |
| Greens in Regulation |
With the course playing under par on average and winning scores going low (-20, -16, -20, -24, -24, -23, -21, -19, -21 from 2017 back to 2009), birdies are crucial. Sure, that almost always sounds like the case, but par-makers aren't going to cut it here if you're looking for leaders.
The par 5s are scorable (two of the three are reachable in two shots), so good par 5 scorers offer upside.
Aside from the scoring stats, strokes gained: tee to green and approach look like the go-to options in the strokes gained department. Iron play and getting to the bentgrass greens in regulation will let these golfers cash in on birdie chances.
It's a pretty straightforward recipe this week.
Course History Studs
Since 2005, Scott Piercy has played TPC Summerlin 11 times and has six top 25s in the past eight years with just one missed cut in that span.
Kevin Streelman has made all seven of his cuts at this course and has five top 25s in that span, including a second-place finish in 2014.
Harris English was 4th last year, 16th in 2014, 40th in 2013, and 60th in 2012. Webb Simpson (31st, 56th, 4th, 1st, 4th) has good form in his past five tries at TPC Summerlin.
Russell Knox and Harris English have played here at least four times and made all four cuts, same for Streelman and Ben Crane, who has played TPC Summerlin seven times and made all seven cuts.
Tony Finau, the odds-on favorite to win, has finished 7th, 16th, and 41st at this event in the past three seasons.
