UK: 18+ USA: 21+ | Begambleaware.org | T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly
The first day of the 2023 Shriners Open was, as predicted, something of a birdie fest. We saw several players go on the attack, and in many cases, such front-footed gold was rewarded. A quick glance at the standings after the close of play on day one tells us everything we need to know, as a large group of players sat pretty with scores of -5 or better. It’s now time to look ahead to day two.
Beau Hossler held the lead overnight after day one having posted a rather super round of 62. The American took advantage of both the easy-to-hit fairways and the sizable greens, leaving himself with no shortage of scoring opportunities, most of which he took. Both Cameron Champ and J. T. Poston are hot on the heels of the leader at -8, while Lanto Griffin and Davis Thompson also enjoyed fine first rounds, both scoring 64 to sit at -7.
Shriners Open 2023 day 2 predictions and tips
Contents
We now turn our focus to the second day of proceedings as the Las Vegas venue of TPC Summerlin. Where does the betting value lie?
Davis Thompson to win @ 10/1 each-way (six places, Betfred)
There was plenty to like about the way Davis Thompson went about his business on the first day of the tournament. He looked at home on the course right from the word go; his approach game was dialed in, so much so that he set himself up with lots of birdie opportunities, and it was there for all to see that he had the flat stick working well, which is never a bad thing.
What I like about Thompson is the fact that he’s played well at this tournament before, so he knows how to follow on from a promising first round. He opened with a 66 at TPC Summerlin last year, before posting solid rounds of 69, 66 and 67. After making an even better start here, carding not a single bogey during that opening round, I’d not be surprised if he went very, very close.
It’s also positive that the 24-year-old has finished his events strongly in recent weeks, carding sub 70 rounds on day’s three and four at the Wyndham Championship, and finishing the Sanderson Farms with a solid round of 69 last week. His game is clearly in good shape right now, while he clearly likes this venue too. At odds of 10/1, I’m betting on the man who entered the tournament as the sixth-best in the field for previous strokes gained: total at the Shriners in recent times to give winning this thing a real good go.
Ludvig Aberg top 10 finish @ 5/2 (PaddyPower)
Swedish sensation Ludvig Aberg has had something of a whirlwind few weeks, that’s fair to say. He burst onto the PGA Tour scene with that impressive T4 effort at the John Deere Classic n September, before a very solid showing at the Wyndham Championship earned him something of a surprise call-up to the European Ryder Cup team. As part of the winning team in Italy, Aberg showed his ability to rub shoulders with the best, while he once again flourished at the top level when finishing second at the Sanderson Farms Championship a week ago. On that occasion, he finished very strongly two final rounds of 66 and 68, which bodes well ahead of the next few days.
Aberg wasn’t the quickest out of the blocks on day one, but he’s given himself a solid platform from which to build by posting an opening round score of 69. His card contained just one bogey, while he got himself into more than enough solid positions to suggest that he can score a little more aggressively as the weak progresses. With 5/2 available, given the level of form he has produced in recent weeks, coupled with the fact that he’s finished strongly in each of his last two tournaments, the youngster looks a decent top-10 bet to me.
Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!
