PGA - Shriners Children's Open 2023

Chairman's note: Our British respondent makes a comeback with this preview. It's bit late, but there's still few hours left to make your bids.

As the dawn breaks upon the immaculate fairways of the TPC Summerlin, the golfing elite and enthusiasts alike find themselves amidst the fervour that heralds the Shriners Children's Open 2023. This genteel event marks the fourth spectacle of the PGA Tour's 2023-24 wrap-around season, presenting itself as one of the calendar's most exhilarating engagements.

The courteous assembly shall commence from the 12th and grace the verdant expanses until the 15th of October, at the heart of a par-71 course that unfurls across 7,255 yards, promising a blend of challenge and opportunity for the gallant participants.

The tournament, a manifestation of rich history and benevolent intent, is steered by the Shriners Hospitals for Children, a noble network of 22 medical facilities, extending a nurturing hand to children afflicted with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate.

The Shriners Children's Open 2023 heralds the convergence of 156 players, each vying for a share of the generous $8.9 million purse and 500 FedEx Cup points, with the victor bestowed with a trophy and the time-honoured photo opportunity with two showgirls, a tradition cherished since the tournament's infancy.

Course and Chronicle

The TPC Summerlin, the revered host since 2006, has witnessed the evolution of the Shriners Children’s Open from its nascence in 1983, as the Panasonic Las Vegas Pro Celebrity Classic. Initially a five-round affair, the tournament boasted the highest purse on tour at $750,000 in its maiden year. The narrative transformed in 2004, with a shift to 72 holes, and further blossomed in 2013 as part of the FedEx Cup Fall series.

The TPC Summerlin, a desert jewel, presents wide fairways, undulating greens, and tranquil water hazards. The back nine, especially the par-5 13th and 16th holes alongside the drivable par-4 15th hole, are the realms where eagles and birdies dwell. The par-3 17th, a signature hole, boasts an island green cradled by rocks and water, whilst the course record is a commendable 60, set by J.J. Henry in 2014.

The Shriners Children’s Open embraces a lineage of distinguished victors, including a young Tiger Woods marking his maiden PGA Tour victory in 1996, alongside stalwarts like Jim Furyk, Kevin Na, Bryson DeChambeau, and Patrick Cantlay. The defending champion Tom Kim, who tied the tournament record with a score of -24 in 2022, returns to defend his title.

Contenders to Cherish

The Shriners Children’s Open 2023 shall showcase a blend of established names and budding stars. Here are a few gallant golfers to keep an eye upon:

• Tom Kim: The reigning champion, a prodigy on the greens, aims for a historic back-to-back title, emulating Jim Furyk's feat from 1998 and 1999.
• Ludvig Aberg: The Swedish marvel, Ludvig Aberg, turned professional in 2022 post a triumphant stint with Texas Tech, and has been riding a wave of splendid performances ever since.
• Lexi Thompson: The LPGA maestro makes her PGA Tour debut, tracing the legacy of Annika Sorenstam and others, aiming to prove her mettle amongst the gentlemen of the game.
• Webb Simpson: The 2013 champion, a master of strategy, yearns to embrace the trophy once more, further bolstering his illustrious FedEx Cup ranking.

FAQs

• What essence does the Shriners Children’s Open 2023 hold?
  • A golfing spectacle nestled in Las Vegas, embodying a blend of sporting excellence and benevolent cause, orchestrated by the Shriners Hospitals for Children.
• How might one indulge in the live proceedings?
  • The Golf Channel and CBS Sports shall broadcast the event live, whilst online streaming is available through PGA Tour Live, CBS All Access, or the Golf Channel's digital platforms.
• Who are the favourites gracing the greens?
  • Tom Kim, Ludvig Aberg, Lexi Thompson, and Webb Simpson are among the favourites, as per the latest odds from SportsLine.
• What monetary accolade awaits the victor?
  • The victor shall be endowed with $1,512,000, a noble 17% of the total purse of $8.9 million, with the runner-up and third-place finisher receiving $907,200 and $571,200 respectively.

Betting card for the week

After few weeks of hiatus we are back with 3 competitions. Remember to check Tools page for our model rankings here.

We are not investing more that 7% of our bankroll for one competition at the moment, but these new top10 and top20 picks have been performing really well lately. Trying to finally push the results page update for more trustworthy tracking, but members who have been following know.

⛳️ Top 10s:
Tom Kim, 2.78
Ludvig Aberg, 3.1
Cam Davis, 4.2
J.T. Poston, 4.7
Eric Cole, 5.5

Aiming for 3 unit profit this time with the confidence of recent results. Played these too late to get solid odds, but most of these are still playable.

⛳️ Top20s:
Filled:
Adam Schenk: 3.05
J.J. Spaun: 3.05
Ben Griffin: 4.3
Garrick Higgo: 4.6

Partly filled / live bets for in-play during R1
Si Woo Kim: 2.64
Andrew Putnam: 3.3
Vincent Norrman: 3.6
Nicolai Hojgaard: 3.75
Adam Svensson: 3.75
Sam Ryder: 4.8
Luke List: 4.5
Martin Laird: 5.3

Playing level 1 unit bets.

Winners:
Adam Schenk, 36
J.J. Spaun, 42
Beau Hossler, 50
Nick Taylor, 80
Nicholas Lindheim, 95

Playing with small bet sizes (50 unit payout structure).

Good luck!