PGA Tour season winding down in Vegas
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2010 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open | Preview | 21 Oct 2010
With just two more domestic events remaining on the 2010 PGA Tour Schedule, this week’s Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospital for Children Open in Las Vegas takes on a whole new meaning as jockeying for positions on the money list reaches fever point.
The tournament is being played at the Bobby Weed and Fuzzy Zoeller designed TPC Summerlin, a venue that has been involved in its hosting since 1992 although as a solo venue only in the past two years.
Twelve months ago Scot, Martin Laird, broke through for his first win on the PGA Tour when he defeated Chad Campbell and George McNeil in a playoff, McNeil having won this event two years earlier.
Laird is considered one of the chances again this week following some good recent form when runner up at the Barclays and 5th at the Dunhill Links event two weeks ago.
Two Ryder Cup players, Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan are in the field along with someone who might have been a little unlucky not to be one, Nick Watney.
Rickie Fowler tied for 7th in his only start in this event last year while Mahan has put together several very good rounds at the TPC Summerlin in recent years. Both are good chances to do well again especially give Fowler’s recent form.
Mahan is probably still hurting from his experience in the Singles at the Ryder Cup when he went down to Graeme McDowell but if he is over that he could do well.
Chad Campbell has been runner-up and third in each of his last two starts in this event and has not missed a cut in his last twelve starts although he has seldom contended. On a golf course he clearly enjoys this could be a great chance for a big week.
Charley Hoffman has a very good record at the TPC Summerlin and I expect that to continue. He won in Boston and finished 6th at the recent Tour Championship which should be good enough form for him to be a big factor this week.
Twelve Australians are in the field including previous winner Stuart Appleby. Appleby has not missed a cut since his win in West Virginia but has not contended in that time.
Marc Leishman, James Nitties, Aaron Baddeley, Matt Jones, Nathan Green, Mathew Goggin, Cameron Percy, Greg Chalmers, John Senden, Rod Pampling and David Lutterus make up the Australian contingent.
