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Power Rankings: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open
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September 30, 2019
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM
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Brooks Koepka makes his 2019-20 season debut at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Sometimes the house wins. OK, the house always wins, but TPC Summerlin usually meets the golfers halfway when serving as the host of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
This wasn't the case in 2017 when the wind blew in Las Vegas. It was both cooler and a cooler en route to a 20-year-high scoring average north of the par of 71. But it was business as usual again last year despite the fact that it was the first edition after all 102 bunkers were redone.
Scroll past the ranking of projected contenders for more on the course, details on this week's edition and additional information.
POWER RANKINGS: SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN OPEN
RANK PLAYER COMMENT 15 
Lanto Griffin The only golfer with top 20s in each of the first three tournaments of 2019-20 has four in a row dating back to the KFT Championship. Ranks fifth in Strokes Gained: Putting.The only golfer with top 20s in each of the first three tournaments of 2019-20 has four in a row dating back to the KFT Championship. Ranks fifth in Strokes Gained: Putting.14 
Dylan Frittelli His only top 10 as a first-time TOUR member in 2018-19 was his breakthrough win at the John Deere Classic, but he's already hung up two to open his sophomore season.His only top 10 as a first-time TOUR member in 2018-19 was his breakthrough win at the John Deere Classic, but he's already hung up two to open his sophomore season.13 
Adam Hadwin It hasn't been since early in 2018 when the Canadian connected top 15s, but he has momentum after leading the Safeway Open in GIR. Also placed T10 in his Shriners debut in 2014.It hasn't been since early in 2018 when the Canadian connected top 15s, but he has momentum after leading the Safeway Open in GIR. Also placed T10 in his Shriners debut in 2014.12 
Gary Woodland Regressed post-U.S. Open breakthrough and finished 15th in the FedExCup. Now rested for a month, TPC Summerlin presents as a comfortable opener. T18 here in 2018 and T10 last year.Regressed post-U.S. Open breakthrough and finished 15th in the FedExCup. Now rested for a month, TPC Summerlin presents as a comfortable opener. T18 here in 2018 and T10 last year.11 
Brandt Snedeker With four top-six finishes in the last four months, a T17 at Silverado supports the extension of form in a sport with scoring differences that are impossible to see. T10 here in 2014.With four top-six finishes in the last four months, a T17 at Silverado supports the extension of form in a sport with scoring differences that are impossible to see. T10 here in 2014.10 
Brian Harman With a T3 (Greenbrier) and a T14 (Sanderson Farms) already on the board, the lefty has five top 15s in his last nine starts. He placed T15 in his last trip to TPC Summerlin in 2016.With a T3 (Greenbrier) and a T14 (Sanderson Farms) already on the board, the lefty has five top 15s in his last nine starts. He placed T15 in his last trip to TPC Summerlin in 2016.9 
Charles Howell III A regular in Vegas throughout his career, yet this is his first trip in three years. Three top 20s in his last four visits and fresh off a T4 at the Safeway Open.A regular in Vegas throughout his career, yet this is his first trip in three years. Three top 20s in his last four visits and fresh off a T4 at the Safeway Open.8 
Tony Finau Travels after a fortnight in the U.K. that was capped by a T10 at the Dunhill Links. He's 5-for-5 at the Shriners with a T7, a pair of T16s and a scoring average of 68.65.Travels after a fortnight in the U.K. that was capped by a T10 at the Dunhill Links. He's 5-for-5 at the Shriners with a T7, a pair of T16s and a scoring average of 68.65.7 
Adam Scott Like last week where he finished T17 in his Safeway Open debut for his fourth straight top 20, the Aussie is a first-timer at the Shriners, surprising because he played collegiately at UNLV.Like last week where he finished T17 in his Safeway Open debut for his fourth straight top 20, the Aussie is a first-timer at the Shriners, surprising because he played collegiately at UNLV.6 
Scottie Scheffler It's good to be this rookie. After a fantastic 2019 on the Korn Ferry Tour, he's begun his run with PGA TOUR membership by going T7-T16. Rested last week. Ranks T2 in GIR early on.It's good to be this rookie. After a fantastic 2019 on the Korn Ferry Tour, he's begun his run with PGA TOUR membership by going T7-T16. Rested last week. Ranks T2 in GIR early on.5 
Brooks Koepka Back in action since finishing T3 in the FedExCup. He's 2-for-4 at TPC Summerlin with a T4 in 2014 and a solo second in 2016 when he opened with a career-low 62.Back in action since finishing T3 in the FedExCup. He's 2-for-4 at TPC Summerlin with a T4 in 2014 and a solo second in 2016 when he opened with a career-low 62.4 
Collin Morikawa He didn't pick up where he left off in 2018-19, he did better than that at the Safeway Open. Ranked eighth in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green en route to a T10, his fifth top 15 as a pro.He didn't pick up where he left off in 2018-19, he did better than that at the Safeway Open. Ranked eighth in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green en route to a T10, his fifth top 15 as a pro.3 
Bryson DeChambeau Climbed the ladder from a T36 in 2016 to T7 in 2017 to the 2018 champion. Ranked T4 in GIR, 10th in proximity and first in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green en route to his title.Climbed the ladder from a T36 in 2016 to T7 in 2017 to the 2018 champion. Ranked T4 in GIR, 10th in proximity and first in Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green en route to his title.2 
Patrick Cantlay Captured his first PGA TOUR victory here in difficult conditions in 2017, and then finished second in his title defense despite going 11 strokes lower. Among the most consistently strong.Captured his first PGA TOUR victory here in difficult conditions in 2017, and then finished second in his title defense despite going 11 strokes lower. Among the most consistently strong.1 
Webb Simpson He's thrived throughout his career at TPC Summerlin. He's 7-for-8 with a win (2013), a pair of T4s and another two top 20s. His scoring average is 68.07. Also coming off a strong 2018-19.He's thrived throughout his career at TPC Summerlin. He's 7-for-8 with a win (2013), a pair of T4s and another two top 20s. His scoring average is 68.07. Also coming off a strong 2018-19.Hideki Matsuyama, Joaquin Niemann, Matthew Wolff, Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson will be among the notables reviewed in Tuesday's Fantasy Insider.
The new bunkers didn't influence scoring as TPC Summerlin returned to its customary position as one of the most vulnerable par 71s of the season. The field averaged 69.369 in 2018. What's more, fairways and greens were measurably even easier to find than in previous editions.
Last year's collection of 132 golfers averaged almost nine (of 14) fairways hit and 13.33 greens in regulation per round. It didn't hurt that the rough was trimmed to two inches – a reduction of one inch – and conversion percentages on the greens aligned with history, so it made sense that Bryson DeChambeau reached 21-under 263 as the champion.
This year, a field of 144 has assembled. The bump in size is possible because of the earliest date since 2011 (when only 132 competed, in fact). It can expect glorious weather throughout. Seasonably dry conditions not only welcome the PGA TOUR, but the countless snowbirds who flock to the Desert Southwest right around this time of year. Daytime highs in the mid-80s will be accompanied by a percentage of humidity barely into double digits. Wind will not be a factor.
The bentgrass greens also will be allowed to run their full 11-and-a-half feet on the Stimpmeter. Customary aesthetic and agronomic enhancements did not influence the length of the course. It remains at 7,255 yards. So, the familiar formula of amassing scoring opportunities in advance of a sharp flat stick once again will define the leaderboard.
ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE
PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton recaps and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled.
MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings
TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Fantasy Insider* - Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf, which also publishes on Tuesday.
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