The PGA TOUR will embark on its first-ever "Vegas Swing" with the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin.
Bryson DeChambeau headlines this field and, unsurprisingly, is the clear tournament favorite at +750 ($10 bet wins $75). This is DeChambeau’s first start since he captured his first major at the U.S. Open on Sept. 20. DeChambeau, who won this event in 2018, is the only golfer in single-digit odds at the moment, just ahead of 2013 champion Webb Simpson at +1000.
There are plenty of other big names in the field including Patrick Cantlay (+2000), Hideki Matsuyama (+2200) and Rickie Fowler (+3500). Golf's next generation is also well represented with Collin Morikawa (+2000), Scottie Scheffler (+2800) and Matthew Wolff (+2800) all inside the top-7 on the oddsboard.
Here are our favorite outright bets for the 2020 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open:
Jason Sobel
Joaquin Niemann (+5500)
There have been way too many times over the past couple of years when I’ve played Niemann, watching his Shot Tracker tell me something like “Shot 2 177 yds to green, 6 ft 3 in. to hole” only to then see a par pop up on his scorecard. But there’s some newfound hope.
Two seasons ago, Niemann ranked 144th in strokes gained putting. Last season, 146th. Granted, he’s only played four rounds this season, but Niemann is already sixth, which could portend big things moving forward. I do know that at 55/1, he’s mispriced this week.
He was 30/1 here pre-tourney last year against a comparable (or maybe even better) field and he’s a better player now than he was then.
[Bet Niemann at DraftKings and get a $1,000 sign-up bonus.]
Josh Perry
Matthew Wolff (+2800)
When Wolff is on, he can contend in the deepest fields. We saw that just a few weeks ago when he held the 54-hole lead at the U.S. Open prior to DeChambeau stepping on the gas to pull away on Sunday. But if Bryson is just a little off this week following his first major victory, Wolff should have the game to grab a win here.
Wolff's driver vaulted him to an 18th-place finish here last year. He gained five strokes off the tee but was unable to supplement that with his approach. He's been hitting his irons much better in 2020 compared to last year, so if he can keep improving from the fairway, he’ll have a good shot to contend this week.
[Bet Wolff at BetMGM and get an INSTANT $500 deposit match.]
Chris Murphy
Collin Morikawa (+2000)
As some of the stars return for their first event since the U.S. Open, I am ready to jump in on Collin Morikawa coming away with his first win of the new PGA TOUR season. He fits the mold of everything you want at TPC Summerlin with elite ball-striking and tee-to-green play, with the added bonus of his preferred Bentgrass putting surface.
He also has the type of game that will hold up well if the winds pick up as forecasted this weekend. Morikawa is simply underpriced in this field, largely due to the extreme price of DeChambeau, and this is a course that should be right in his wheelhouse.
[Bet Morikawa at BetMGM and get an INSTANT $500 deposit match.]
Matt Vincenzi
Rickie Fowler (+3500)
I am taking a chance on Rickie this week. Although he wasn’t great when we last saw him, there are some signs that his game is rounding into form.
Fowler finished 49th at Winged Foot, which doesn’t seem great until you dig a little deeper. Rickie is one of the best putters on tour uncharacteristically lost 6.7 strokes putting while gaining 6.1 strokes tee to green, 3.5 strokes on approach, and 2.2 strokes off the tee.
I don’t expect his poor putting to continue, especially on his preferred surface of Bentgrass. Rickie also had the best putting performance of his career at TPC Summerlin when he gained 5.5 strokes on the field. There is no better place for Fowler to get into a rhythm with the flat stick.
I also find his course history encouraging; as he has finished 7th, 22nd, 25th, and 4th (2018) in his four appearances at the course.
