The PGA TOUR fall season continues with a stop at scenic TPC Summerlin to play the 2022 Shriners Children’s Open.
TPC Summerlin is the home of Tiger Woods’ first PGA TOUR victory in 1996 at the Las Vegas Invitational.
In the past 10 editions of the tournament, there have been 13 first-round leaders or co-leaders. Of the 13, 12 have come from the morning wave.
There is clearly a massive advantage to be gained from starting in the morning on Thursday.
Shriners Children’s Open First-Round Leader Picks
Rickie Fowler +6100 (bet365)
First-Round Tee Time: 7:13 a.m. PT
I believe Rickie Fowler has a chance to really play well this week. His reunion with Butch Harmon has shown immediate results as well as a recent caddie switch that may have contributed to a sixth place finish at the Fortinet. When at his best, Fowler can make birdies in bunches and is typically a fast starter. I’m not convinced he can play well for four rounds just yet, but I do believe he’s in good enough form to have the lowest score on Thursday.
Mito Pereira +6700 (bet365)
First-Round Tee Time: 6:51 a.m. PT
After playing in his first Presidents Cup, Mito Pereira should be motivated to bounce back from what was a disappointing finish to his promising 2021-22 season. Pereira is a three-time winner on the Korn Ferry Tour, with all three of those wins coming at -20 or better. The Chilean is no stranger to going low and should be comfortable on the Bentgrass greens, where all three of those wins occurred.
There has been a lot of buzz surrounding the recent Korn Ferry Tour graduates, but Pereira is now an established player that has the talent to take the next step in his career.
Andrew Putnam +7600 (bet365)
First-Round Tee Time: 6:40 a.m. PT
Andrew Putnam has been quietly playing good golf for a solid stretch of time. After finishing 30th at last week’s Sanderson Farms Championship, he now heads to a course where he’s had some success.
He finished 18th at the event in 2019 and 11th last year while posting some low scores. He shot 67-64-66 prior to a disappointing closing 71 as his 64 on Friday indicates he has the ability to go low at TPC Summerlin. Putnam also gets the added benefit of being in the first group off in a tournament that has favored early starters.
