Ladies and gentlemen…we’re pretty excited for golf this week! We have some big name players back in the continental United States to battle the new Web graduates, a tee box on top of a pool house on the European Tour, and the ladies head to Japan for the Toto Japan Classic. It’s still a slow time for golf but most of the world’s best are in action, let’s get it on.

Sin City Classic

The strongest field that we have seen in the United States heads to Las Vegas this week for the Shriners Hospital for Children Open. Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, and Cameron Champ headline a great early season field in Nevada. Tee Times

Last season saw Patrick Cantlay notch his only PGA Tour victory in a playoff over Alex Cejka and Whee Kim. It was a long time coming for Cantlay, who was once the crown jewel of amateur golf. The win set Cantlay up for the best season of his career as he finished the year with seven top 10s, fifteen top 25s, and only two missed cuts.

Storylines

The Guilty Party – Jordan Spieth makes his first appearance since the Ryder Cup at a venue that he has never played. In fact, this is Spieth’s first time playing a fall series event since 2015. After missing the minimum number of tournaments last season, it is assumed that Spieth is making these fall season starts as a sort of reparations for his misbehavior.

Former Ams – Amateurs at this time last year, Dylan Meyer, Doug Ghim, Joaquin Niemann and Nick Hardy are all in the field as professionals. Ghim earned the final Monday qualifier spot after getting through a sudden death playoff. (Cameron Champ was also an amateur at this point last season).

Sophomore Year – Recently crowned Rookie of the Year, Aaron Wise is also in the field this week. Wise has played in this event each of the past two seasons, finishing T10 and T32 in his first attempts.

Paulie’s Picks

Paulie likes accurate drivers and wedge players this week in Vegas, check out his picks for DraftKings and one-and-done here.

Turkish Bathhouse

The European Tour is nearing the end of their season as they head to Turkey this week. Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Thorbjorn Olesen headline a pretty strong field of players battling for valuable Race to Dubai points. Lee Westwood, Thomas Pieters, Paul Dunne and Haotong Li are also teeing it up this week, sometimes in places you wouldn’t expect.
Tee Times

Shotgun Start: Golf-related costume ideas, Euro Tour schedule changes, and Shriners Picks

A Halloween edition of the Shotgun Start begins with Andy and Brendan discussing the new European Tour schedule, which adapted and adjusted in response to the new PGA Tour schedule. Then they review the hokey promo for Tiger and Phil coming to HBO’s acclaimed 24/7 series for The Match. To celebrate the holiday, both deliver some golf-related but obscure costume ideas that only the Shotgun Start audience could probably appreciate. Finally, they bring in the expert, Paulie, for some Shriners Open intel and picks. Listen on iTunesStitcher or Spotify

Campus Update

The fall semester is coming to a close for most college golf teams this week. The East Lake Cup is the final big event to conclude, and the championship match will get underway Wednesday morning. Oklahoma State’s Viktor Hovland won the stroke play portion of the event before the Cowboys were ousted by Alabama in match play. The Crimson Tide are set to take on rival Auburn in the championship match after the Tigers took care of the Duke Blue Devils on Tuesday. Tune in to Golf Channel for the final day!

A full fall semester wrap-up will be on our site on Monday.

Trees or no trees?
The par 4 12th at Prairie Dunes can lead to golfers falling on one side or the other. Jason Way gives his thoughts on the hole and the trees. Watch the video by clicking below and read his article here.

Quick Hooks

An incredibly strong LPGA field heads to Japan this week. Nelly Korda, Danielle Kang, Lexi Thompson and world #1 Ariya Jutanugarn are all teeing it up this week. Field

There are some big changes to the 2019 European Tour schedule. Six of their ten biggest events will now occur after the end of the PGA Tour season. Full schedule

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