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1st Oct 2019 | Shriners Hospital for Children Open

Shriners Open Tip: Maverick McNealy

Similar to 2016 winner Smylie Kaufman in that he is long off the tee an excellent putter and a birdie machine. Low scoring event will suit and has experience of the course from last year.

Apart from the 2018 edition scoring has generally been very low in the desert and you need to get to 20-under or better to win the Shirners Open. Making birdies is absolutely key and I see a lot of 2016 champion Smylie Kaufman in my 2019 pick.

Maverick McNealy is in his rookie season having graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour but he comes with a burgeoning reputation. The 23-year-old was winless last season but still finished 12th in the all-around ranking and crucially 5th for birdie average. His is long off the tee and an excellent putter and that could be enough to triumph at TPC Summerlin.


So far this wrap-around season he has gone MC-MC-T52 but his best result came at the Safeway Open a course he played last year and the same is with TPC Summerlin. Granted he missed the cut 12 months ago but on a tour where his is often visiting courses for the first time past experience must count for plenty.

From a limited sample size, he is 36th for birdie average on the PGA Tour and he is a played I fancy that will soon be starting at a fraction of his 400/1 quote.

Odds correct at time of publishing: 20:10 1st Oct, 2019 but subject to change