There are golfers who take a shine to certain tournaments, and the quartet of Kevin Na, Collin Morikawa, Patrick Cantlay, and Cameron Smith love the Shriners Hospital for Children Open. Each member of the quartet has played well at TPC Summerlin over the past few years.
That’s why with this week’s One Bet, $100, I’m dividing my wager into four bets — one each for Na, Morikawa, Cantlay, and Smith. I’m putting $25 on each golfer to finish in the top 5 of this week’s Shriner’s Open.
The odds are strong for each golfer, ranging from +450 to +1600. If one of them hits, I’ll make a profit. If two or more cash, I’ll get a huge payday.
Last week’s One Bet, $100 was on a streaking golfer who flamed out at the Sanderson Farms Championship. I thought Will Zalatoris would play well in the tournament, and put a bet down on him to finish in the top 5. He was done before the weekend, shooting 73-71, and missing the cut by three strokes.
One Bet, $100
| This Week | Last Week | Season Total |
| Na, Morikawa, Cantlay, Smith in Top 5 | Lost: Zalatoris | 0-2, -200 |
Cantlay Red Hot at Shriners Open
The reason I picked this foursome is because of their familiarity with TPC Summerlin, or their past results at the Shriners Open.
In the case of Cantlay, who is at +450 to make the top 5, it’s both. He’s played here three times and never finished lower than second. He also won the Shriners Open in 2017. Cantlay told reporters on Tuesday the reason he likes this event is simple.
“So it’s a golf course I really like,†Cantlay said. “I think it’s good and it rewards a guy who drives the ball really straight. You got to play from the fairway, but if you do, you got a lot of scoring opportunities and you can make a bunch of birdies.â€
Another golfer at +450 is Morikawa. The PGA Championship winner has a house near TPC Summlin, and plays the course often. With his knowledge of the course, he could easily find himself in the top 5.
Taking Chance on Long Shots
Na and Smith are my two long shots. Na won the Shriners Open twice (2011 and 2019). The defending champion also lives in Las Vegas, and told reporters on Wednesday this is a golf course he looks forward to playing annually.
“Something about this place, I feel comfortable,†Na said. “I know the greens, I can putt well on them. But when I’m not playing great, I think I expect so much that it can be a little disappointing during the round.â€
If Na can come through with a top-5 finish he will pay off at +1200. Those aren’t the longest odds of the four, however. Smith is at +1600, but he could easily find himself in the top 5 at the end of the event. The Australian tied for 13th at the Shriners Open last year.