Many times over the years, strong showings at the Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup can be a springboard for players into the following season.
Bettors seem to be buying that theory at this week’s Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas. At the BetMGM online sportsbook, the five biggest ticket percentages belong to players who played in the Presidents Cup and five of the top six handle percentages.
As of Tuesday, Patrick Cantlay, who has the best golf odds to win this week at +700, is second in handle (14.6%) and fifth in tickets (5.5%). Meanwhile, 20-year-old Tom Kim (+2500) is second in tickets (7.5%) and third in handle (10.7).
Kim’s teammate, Sungjae Im, has the most tickets (8.2%) and fourth-most handle (9.6%). Im is the defending champion, thanks to a final round 62, and currently has the second-lowest odds to win at +1200.
In the United States 17.5-12.5 victory over the International team, Cantlay went 3-1, while Kim and Im both won two matches for the Internationals. Si Woo Kim had the best record for the International squad – 3-1 – and he is pulling in the fourth-most tickets (6.2%) this week.
Max Homa, who went a perfect 4-0 at Quail Hollow, is third in tickets (6.3%) and fifth in handle (9%).
Aaron Wise – receiving the most handle (14.8%) – is the only Presidents Cup outlier, but it makes sense, given his track record at the event. Including a T-8 finish a year ago, he has four career top-20 finishes at the TPC Summerlin. At +2000, he’ is tied for the third-shortest odds.
Cantlay has enjoyed the most success at the event of all the players in the field. In four career starts, he has a win, two runner-up finishes and a T-8.
Current Handle & Tickets
Handle
- Aaron Wise – 14.8%
- Patrick Cantlay – 14.6%
- Tom Kim – 10.7%
- Sungjae Im – 9.6%
- Max Homa – 9%
Tickets
- Sungjae Im – 8.2%
- Tom Kim – 7.5%
- Max Homa – 6.3%
- Si Woo Kim– 6.2%
- Patrick Cantlay – 5.5%
There should be plenty of birdies this week. The winning score in each of the last four editions of the event has been 20-under or better. Im finished -24 a year ago, Martin Laird was -23 in 2020, Kevin Na was -23 in 2019 and Bryson DeChambeau was -21 in 2018.
The winners also indicate TPC Summerlin lends itself to different types of players performing well. At 7,225 yards and a par-71, the emphasis is on taking advantage of the par-5s and avoiding some of the natural hazards that penalize wayward shots.
