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Full betting preview, picks for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

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New to golf betting? Check out theScore's PGA Tour wagering guide here.

The PGA Tour is in Las Vegas for the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open hosted at TPC Summerlin.

A 144-man field, headlined by Brooks Koepka, will compete for the title on the desert-style course. Patrick Cantlay and Bryson DeChambeau, the last two winners in Sin City, are also in attendance for the fourth event of the fall season.

Expect scores to be low, especially if conditions remain calm. The winning number over the last 10 years has consistently surpassed 20-under. From a betting perspective, target players with excellent tee-to-green skills and the propensity to make a bunch of birdies.

The course

  • 7,255, par 71
  • Easy when the wind doesn't blow
  • Bentgrass greens
  • All three par 5s are 560 yards or longer
  • Nine of 11 par 4s shorter than 450 yards

Previous winners

2018: Bryson DeChambeau (-21)
2017: Patrick Cantlay (-9)
2016: Rod Pampling (-20)
2015: Smylie Kaufman (-16)
2014: Ben Martin (-14)

The favorites

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Player Odds Best Shriners finish
Brooks Koepka 8-1 2nd (2016)
Patrick Cantlay 12-1 1st (2017)
Bryson DeChambeau 16-1 1st (2018)
Hideki Matsuyama 22-1 T-10 (2014)
Adam Scott 22-1 N/A
Webb Simpson 22-1 1st (2013)
Tony Finau 22-1 T-7 (2014)
Collin Morikawa 25-1 N/A
Gary Woodland 28-1 T-10 (2018)

The top of the betting board is scary, mainly because of Koepka's presence.

He's nearly impossible to bet from a value perspective at 8-1. However, no one would be shocked if he shows up in Las Vegas, cruises to a five-shot victory, and heads home $1 million richer. Fading the world No. 1 is a risk, but one worth taking if you're looking to cash big.

Next, the two previous champions in Cantlay and DeChambeau. The former knocked off the rust last week at the Safeway Open, during which he gained 4.7 strokes tee-to-green. DeChambeau, on the other hand, was leading with 36 holes to play before a poor third round derailed his week. He finished T-13 but showed signs that his form is in good shape.

Dropping into the 20-1 range, you'll find six players who are all capable of winning but lack the eye-popping value you will sometimes find in similar fields. Here's a case against each.

  • Matsuyama: Hasn't won since August 2017.
  • Scott: Was a mess off the tee last week and hasn't found the winner's circle since March 2016.
  • Simpson: Making his first start of the season.
  • Finau: Made the long trip from Scotland after playing two weeks in Europe and lacks a winning pedigree.
  • Morikawa: Will be his first start in Las Vegas and hasn't played great in stronger fields.
  • Woodland: Struggled after winning the U.S. Open and will be rusty after five weeks off.

If forced to choose from the top, Cantlay at 12-1 makes the most sense. He was the runner-up last year after winning in 2017 and played decent last week in his first start of the new season.

The next tier

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The middle tier is flush with enticing options who present value depending on how you feel about the favorites. If you think the likes of Koepka or Cantlay don't win, then these 50-1 options have the potential to pay off handsomely.

A familiar name - if you've been following along this season - leaps off the page in the form of Scottie Scheffler at 50-1. The Korn Ferry Tour standout took last week off after a T-16 at the Sanderson Farms, which was the worst finish in his previous five starts. The Texas native has the tools to contend.

Matthew Wolff (50-1) and Aaron Wise (66-1) also present strong options. They both possess power games off the tee and hit plenty of greens in regulation to give themselves ample birdie opportunities throughout the week. Wolff has never played TPC Summerlin, whereas Wise resides in Vegas and has two top-15 finishes at the event in three years.

Aside from the young guns in the middle range, Chez Reavie (40-1) and Jason Kokrak (50-1) are worth consideration. Had Reavie not lost over four strokes putting last week in Napa, he would have contended and been priced much shorter this week. Kokrak lost over three shots putting in two rounds at the Greenbrier and is likely to rebound at a ball-strikers paradise.

The long shots

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While three of the past six Shriners winners were priced over 150-1, it's difficult to imagine a fourth long shot winning in Vegas with the immense talent at the top.

With that being said, here are a few players who should pique your interest due to their history at TPC Summerlin or events that have produced similar winners.

  • Bronson Burgoon (100-1): Makes a ton of birdies thanks to stellar iron play. He missed the cut in Napa last week after two rounds of poor putting.
  • Chesson Hadley (110-1): Has recorded three top 10s in Vegas over his career and gained 5.3 strokes tee-to-green last week at the Safeway Open.
  • Kyle Stanley (125-1): Came T-7 in his last appearance in Vegas and typically plays well at Quail Hollows and Muirfield Village, two tournaments that share previous champions with the Shriners. He gained nearly five strokes with approach shots at the Safeway Open.
  • Doc Redman (175-1): The 21-year-old has gained strokes tee-to-green in 10 of his last 11 PGA Tour starts. He's a budding star who gets very little attention due to his counterparts quickly earning wins on Tour.

Picks to win

Scottie Scheffler (50-1)

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If Scheffler is going to win on the PGA Tour during his rookie campaign, it's going to come during the fall season, as his momentum from the Korn Ferry Tour has clearly carried over. He led the field in strokes gained: tee-to-green in his first start as a full-time member at the Greenbrier and didn't lose strokes in any facet at the Sanderson Farms. The 23-year-old launches it off the tee and can get red-hot with his irons.

Aaron Wise (66-1)

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Wise is a steal at 66-1. He's familiar with the Vegas area and likely plays TPC Summerlin a ton with easy access as a PGA Tour member. In his first start of the new campaign, the former Rookie of the Year gained 4.4 strokes tee-to-green at the Sanderson Farms but lost over two shots putting. He's recorded two top-15 finishes at the Shriners and is primed to contend at a course he can dominate with his length.

Kyle Stanley (125-1)

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The odds are simply too juicy to pass up on Stanley. When on, he is long and accurate off the tee and can dial it in with his approach shots. He tends to perform well at the Memorial and Wells Fargo Championship, events that have produced similar winners to the Shriners in the past. Assuming the 31-year-old doesn't lose four strokes putting in two rounds like he did last week, he should provide you with some entertainment on the weekend.

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