Las Vegas is playing host to two tournaments in as many weeks with The Shriners Hospital for Children Open at TPC Summerlin, and the CJ Cup at ShadowCreek. No one is more excited about the back-to-back events than new Las Vegas resident Collin Morikawa.
- Las Vegas resident Collin Morikawa is playing the Shriners for the second straight year, and looking for a better finish than last year’s tie for 42nd
- Bryson DeChambeau makes his return to tournament golf after winning the US Open three weeks ago
- Patrick Cantlay has been a machine at TPC Summerlin, finishing no worse than second in three appearances
Morikawa, who won his first major championship at the PGA Championship at TPC Harding in August, moved to Las Vegas when he turned professional last year. He bought a home in the Vegas valley, and has never regretted the decision.
“To have this kind of West Coast swing. Being Vegas, Vegas, then LA, it’s pretty much home events for me,†Morikawa said. “There is nothing like sleeping in your own bed, getting out, driving to the course, feeling fresh. I really look forward to playing here at TPC Summerlin. Played it a bunch now. Yeah, I look forward to it. My game is trending in the right direction.â€
Odds to Win Shriners Open
| Bryson DeChambeau | 7/1 |
| Webb Simpson | 10/1 |
| Patrick Cantlay | 16/1 |
| Collin Morikawa | 20/1 |
| Hideki Matsuyma | 20/1 |
| Matthew Wolff | 25/1 |
| Scottie Scheffler | 28/1 |
| Jason Day | 28/1 |
| Harris English | 28/1 |
| Sungjae Im | 33/1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 33/1 |
| Paul Casey | 33/1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 35/1 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | 35/1 |
| Jason Kokrak | 40/1 |
| Russell Henley | 45/1 |
| Zach Johnson | 50/1 |
| Abraham Ancer | 55/1 |
| Will Zalatoris | 55/1 |
| Joaquin Niemann | 60/1 |
| Kevin Na | 60/1 |
| Source: BetMGM |
The 23-year-old would like another crack at the Shriners. Last year, he was tied for 15th going into the final round. Then a 72 on Sunday dropped him all the way to a tie for 42nd. Morikawa told reporters Tuesday he looks forward to the event after playing in the grueling conditions of the US Open and FedEx Cup golf courses.
“I want to let the birdies come and just go out there and play golf, and hit some really good shots,†Morikawa said. “I think you’ll get rewarded hitting good shots out here because some shots and some holes and some pin locations might be a little more accessible with a wedge compared to a 5-iron out of some US Open rough. Yeah, scores are definitely going to be low; conditions look great. I look forward to it.â€
DeChambeau’s Season Debut
After DeChambeau won the US Open three weeks ago, he took nearly a month to recharge after the emotional major championship victory. The Shriners, however, is too tempting to pass up.
DeChambeau won this event in 2018 and finished in the top 10 two other times. His scoring average in four appearances is 67.4.
The 27-year-old could go one of two ways this week at TPC Summerlin. He could experience a US Open hangover and flounder a bit, or he could pick right back up where he left off this summer, where in addition to the winning US Open, he had a victory and four other top-10 finishes.
Cantlay’s Confidence is High
One player who should be considered a favorite this week is Patrick Cantlay. He’s played this event three times, winning in 2017, and finishing second the other two times at TPC Summerlin.
Cantlay told reporters on Tuesday this is a tournament, and golf course, he really enjoys.
“A lot of the tee shots look good to me here, so I do play from the fairway a lot around here,†Cantlay said. “Just feels like — you know, some courses you play and you feel like you can make a bunch of birdies, you feel like there are a lot of birdies holes out there. For me out here, it feels like almost every hole is a birdie hole. Feels like I have a lot of opportunities around this place, and I feel comfortable with the lines and everything. I have a lot of confidence here, so I’ve played well.â€
