Fantasy Golf Picks, Odds, and Predictions – 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

Fantasy Golf Picks and Predictions – 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

This Week’s Tournament Preview

This week the TOUR heads to Vegas where we’ll see an broader field of top names making selections a bit more of a challenge this time around. Players like Webb Simpson, Billy Horschel, Kevin Na and Jimmy Walker will be among the field of seasoned vets and Web.com newbies.

Simpson will be looking to repeat his 2013 performance and go back-to-back as rookies like Adam Hadwin and Carlos Ortiz try to break through on the PGA TOUR early. Webb has 10 career rounds at TPC Summerlin where he’s managed to break 70 nine times.

All eyes will be on recent FedExCup champion and new father Billy Horschel, as he tries to ride his huge momentum wave into the new season. Most players may be quick to pick him this week in both salary cap and pick’em leagues, but that could possibly be an unwise decision (more on that later).

Last week’s top 3rd finisher, Hideki Matsuyam, (who we picked) will also be in the field again this week and we’ll breakdown whether or not you should put him on your roster again.

Remember, the fall series deserves more careful research with weighed down fields of Web.com newbies and hot players flying under the radar.

If all of that is not enough and you’re still not convinced that fall golf can be exciting, then check out these signature moments from previous Shriners Hospitals for Children Open events and be prepared to be proven wrong.

Signature Moments: Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

No Description

Last Season’s Fantasy Results

Our fantasy predictions segment had a strong showing right out of the gate by notching two Top 3 and a T8 finish last week, earning a weekly total of $799,000 in fantasy dollars. Our goal this year is to maintain our high made-cuts ratio (86% in 2013-2104) and uncover the inexpensive sleeper picks in salary cap leagues. We managed to kick off the new season with 100% made-cuts ratio and it would be really nice to see that same number come September 2015.

[gard group=’3′]

The Field

As we mentioned above, the big story this week is the immediate return of Billy Horschel, who will undoubtedly be the center of the media buzz this week. As a result of his remarkable playoff run, Horschel now ranks 13th and comes in as the highest ranked in the field.

But Billy Ho won’t be the only story to watch as defending champion Webb Simpson will join three other players in the field this week who all rank higher than 35th in World Rankings.

The Course

TPC Summerlin comes in at 7,255 yards and plays as a par 71. This spectacular track runs through the canyons of the Nevada desert and offers a handful of risk-reward shots. The iconic Las Vegas course opened in 1991 with the help of a Bobby Weed and Fuzzy Zoeller, who brought this course to life for the PGA TOUR circuit.

The toughest part of this track is the four-hole closing stretch, which consists of a drivable par-4 15th, a par-5 16th, the 17th, which is a tough par 3 surrounded by water, and a tough closing par 4. In all we should see plenty of lead changes during that closing stretch this week.

Otherwise we can expect dry desert weather with no rain and a fast playing course.

Photo by TPC.com.

Weather Forecast for Las Vegas, NV (from weather.com)

• Round 1: Thursday (Oct 16) 83 degrees, 0% chance of rain, mostly sunny.
• Round 2: Friday (Oct 17) 83 degrees, 0% chance of rain, mostly sunny.
• Round 3: Saturday (Oct 18 82 degrees, 0% chance of rain, mostly sunny.
• Round 4: Sunday (Oct 19) 85 degrees, 0% chance of rain, sunny.

2013 Results

Other than grabbing a spot as a 2014 Ryder Cup Captain’s pick, last year’s win here was Webb Simpson’s only spotlight in 2013-2014. Simpson dominated the event and grabbed his fourth PGA TOUR victory after carding final rounds of 64-63 and going on to win by 6 strokes.

Simpson ended a 16-month winless drought at the 2013 Shriner’s Open after previously winning the 2012 U.S. Open. Webb ran off with a -24 tournament total where his amazing putting skills were untouchable in that final Sunday.

For more check out this wrap-up of Round 4 from last year’s edition of the Shriners Hospital for Children Open Open:

Round 4 Recap: 2013 Shriners Hospitals For Children Open

No Description

Media

• Television Broadcasts
  • Thursday – Sunday 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST (Golf Channel)
• Radio Broadcasts
  • Thursday – Sunday, 2:00 pm – 8:00 p.m. EST (PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.COM)
• Mobile Broadcasts
  • Simultaneous coverage on the Golf Live Extra app for iPhone and iPad.

This Week’s Fantasy Notes

Given this week’s weather forecast there’s no doubt in our minds that TPC Summerlin is going to produce some really low scores. With plenty of opportunity for risk-reward shots, this tournament is set to offer more eagles and birdies that pars and bogeys.

This week we’re focusing in on GIR percentages and driving accuracy statistics as we look to put our best seven guys on our roster. Of course we’ll be looking at course experience, but that won’t sway our decisions too heavily.

There are some excellent, inexpensive sleeper picks this week, so make sure you round out your roster properly and don’t overload the boat with big names only.

[membership level=”0″]

Our Top 5 (and Top 2 Sleeper) Fantasy Picks and Odds to Win The 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

You must be a Premium Member to view our exclusive fantasy golf picks.

Already a member?  Sign in Here.

[/membership]

[membership level=”1,2,3″]

Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win The 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

• Ryan Moore (Golficity Odds 8 /1): Most people wouldn’t put Moore in the top spot (so he’ll probably fly under your competition’s radar), but we feel otherwise. The UNLV graduate knows this course like you know the municipal track course down the road from your house. This is his first start this season and it could be a great year for him based on off-season preparation. Last season Moore notched seven top 10s and he’s even a past champion of this event (2012). Moore had a T9 here last year and we’re sure that he’s had even more success here going back to his college days.
• Billy Horschel (Golficity Odds 8/1): As mentioned earlier, Billy is sure to be under a microscope all week, which may hurt him or fire him up. If the BMW Championship debacle didn’t phase him, where not quite sure what would. The 2013-14 FedExCup champ finished T16 here in his only other appearance back in 2011. Ride the momentum train into town on this one, but choose Moore over him if you need to pick just one of the two.
• Hideki Matsuyama (Golficity Odds 15/1): Matsuyama was our big money maker last week finishing T3 in Napa where he ranked T3 in greens hit and proximity. The Frys.com Open was his first top 10 finish since the Memorial win last season, but the kid looks primed to win more this year.
• Martin Laird (Golficity Odds 20/1): Could this be Marty’s breakout year? The 2009 champ lost his title defense in playoff but despite that, he’s rolling into Vegas with a hot hand. Laird enters the week coming off of a T6, T14, and a T3 last week at the Frys.com Open.
• Webb Simpson (Golficity Odds 30/1): Last year’s champ has some great memories here given that it’s the site of his last win on TOUR. Granted, Webb had a tough year last year, but we opted to run with him this week with hopes of him getting off on the right foot. His game is also perfectly suited for this course. Note that he’s going to be priced high this week, so we’d opt for a Moore or Horschel over Webb if you can’t fit them all on your team.

Sleeper Pick/Odds to Win The 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

• Sang Moon Bae (Golficity Odds 40/1): Last week’s winner is stroking the ball with great confidence and  building momentum. After leading the pack in strokes gained tee-to-green, Bae cruised to a 2-shot victory despite a final round 73. He roughly be worth $8,500 and most likely won’t be on Tier one of a pick’em league.

Salary Cap League Sleeper Pick/Odds to Win The 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open

• Ryo Ishikawa (Golficity Odds 60/1): Ishikawa will cost you about $6,700 in most salary cap leagues and makes for an excellent sleeper pick. Ryo finished runner-up here last year to Webb, even though he was 6-strokes back. Ryo is coming off of a T19 at Silverado last week where he ranked second in par-4 scoring, but we’re not going to bet the ranch on him. Use him if you need an inexpensive pick.

[/membership]

Last Week’s Results:  Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win the 2014 Frys.com Open

• Jimmy Walker (Golficity Odds 10 /1): T61 ($13,000)
• Matt Kuchar (Golficity Odds 12/1): T21 ($62,000)
• Hideki Matsuyama (Golficity Odds 22/1): T3 ($271,000)
• Patrick Reed (Golficity Odds 24/1): DNP
• Hunter Mahan (Golficity Odds 30/1): T3 ($271,000)

Last Week’s Results: Sleeper Picks/Odds to Win the 2014 Frys.com Open

• Brooks Koepka (Golficity Odds 45/1): T8 ($168,000)

Last Week’s Results Salary Cap Sleeper Pick/Odds to Win the 2014 Frys.com Open

• Adam Hadwin (Golficity Odds 66/1): T53 (14,000)

Fantasy Golf Predictions Stats to Date: 2014-2015 Season

• Total Fantasy Dollars: $799,000
• Total Top 10s: 3 out of 7 players picked (42.86%).
• Total Top 3s: 2 out of 7 players picked (28.57%).
• Total Missed Cuts: 0 out of 7 players picked (100% made the cut).

Remember to visit the The Clubhouse and our private Facebook group to discuss this week’s picks for the 2014 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open with other Premium Members.

(Cover Photo Credit)