Shriners Open - Power Rankings
This week the Tour heads back to Nevada and TPC Summerlin. Considering the fact that many of the world’s best are returning from the World Golf Championships in Asia, the event has drawn a fairly good field this week.
TPC Summerlin has been described as follows:
“TPC Summerlin’s PGA TOUR layout was carved from a magnificent swath of rugged desert terrain by renowned golf course architect Bobby Weed, with Fuzzy Zoeller serving as Player Consultant. The course meanders through arroyos and canyons, with lush bentgrass greens, striking flora, numerous water features and an abundance of honey mesquite and pine trees contrasting dramatically with undisturbed desert washes and other raw landscape features – creating one of the most visually stunning tests of golf in Nevada.”
What makes the course even more unique is the fact that fans are able to enjoy all the finishing action while bathing in the facility’s outdoor pool adjacent to the 18th green. Let’s just hope we don’t see beach balls flying across the finishing green come Sunday afternoon. It’s clear that TPC Summerlin creates a unique and very enjoyable atmosphere to enjoy some great PGA Tour golf.
And now for my rankings for the week, along with DraftKings lineups.
Scott Piercy - Continues to play well. I think this year is going to be a big one for him, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it started with a big event this week.
Ryo Ishikawa - Has recently come off injury and has been playing some very solid golf in Japan.
Ryan Moore - A local favourite, had a stellar collegiate career at UNLV.
Kevin Na - Runner-up finish last season at this event. If he can get out of his own way, could find the winner’s circle again in the near future.
Jon Rahm - A rookie who has already come extremely close to finding the winner’s circle. It seems like just a matter of time.
J.B. Holmes - Continues to perform. This could be a very big year for him if he continues playing the way he has been. Seems to continue to get better.
Charles Howell III - A cut making machine, who quietly, but consistently puts himself within the top-20.
Bryson Dechambeau - Has not been as consistent as we may have originally expected after his tremendous performance at the Masters back in April. Did win on the Web.com Tour since then, and continues to show that he belongs on the big stage.
Brooks Koepka - Always a threat, despite the fact that he was fairly quiet for much of last season.
Smylie Kaufmann - Looking to defend his title. Continues to grow as a player, and has certainly proved that he is not a “one-win wonder”.
Sleeper Pick
Martin Flores - Returning to the PGA Tour after a big year on the Web.com Tour last season. Has had success on the big stage in the past - this isn’t his first rodeo.
And now for this week’s DraftKings lineups...
You’ll notice that I took Jon Rahm in both lineups. I believe that he is going to win, and do so soon. A limited-depth field like this one could be the perfect opportunity for him to break through into the winner’s circle, as he has already come close on a few occasions now. I believe one of the best values on the board this week is Ishikawa at $7,600. If he keeps playing the way he has been overseas, we will see his value skyrocket rapidly.
Starting Lineup
Ryan Moore - $11,000
Scott Piercy - $9,700
Jon Rahm - $9,800
Danny Lee - $6,700
Bryson DeChambeau - $6,400
Martin Flores - $6,400
Alternate Lineup
Jon Rahm - $9,800
Charley Hoffman - $7,900
Smylie Kaufman - $7,800
Ryo Ishikawa - $7,600
Patrick Rodgers - $7,500
Graham DeLaet - $7,300
This article was written by Jonathan Carr (@jonathanwcarr) as part of our weekly #FantasyGolf series. Each week we preview the upcoming PGA Tour event and highlight some of the players we'll be keeping an eye on. As a scratch golfer himself, Jonathan has a keen eye for what it takes to be successful on and off the golf course. His passion for golf is surpassed only by his passion for his faith and his family.
Read some of Jonathan's other articles here.
