Won by plenty of big names in its early days, and a happy hunting ground for Aussies, what is now known as the Shriners Children’s Open has had 10 different monikers in its near 40 year history and was the site of Tiger Woods’ first PGA Tour win.

Once a 90-hole slugfest played across multiple venues, the Vegas stop has found a regular home at TPC Summerlin where Jonathan Byrd sunk the hopes of Cam Percy and Martin Laird in a play-off with a hole-in-one in near darkness.

This week’s field has a bit more star power than the previous few weeks of the new PGA Tour season, with 12 of the top-50 on the world rankings in ‘Sin City’ including some of the breakout stars of the Presidents Cup, while Aussie Ryan Ruffels made it through Monday Qualifying to earn a spot at Summerlin.

DEFENDING CHAMPION: Last year’s event was a close run thing late on Sunday until Sungjae Im broke from the pack and claimed the trophy.

The Korean was one of four players who had a share of lead during the back nine on Sunday, but ultimately his final round of 62 proved enough to give him a second PGA Tour title four shots in front of now LIV Golf player Matthew Wolff.

RIGHT: Sungjae Im poses with the trophy in 2021 after his exciting final round of 62 delivered a second win on Tour. PHOTO: Alex Goodlet/Getty Images.

COURSE: Another of the PGA Tour’s network of TPC venues, TPC Summerlin welcomes the circuit again this week where the usual diet of low scoring can be expected.

The winner her typically reaches 20-under-par or better each year, with the undulating Bobby Weed design, with help from Fuzzy Zoeller, playing shorter than its listed 7,255 yards due to being located high above sea level.

The par-71 utilises water and bunkering to challenge the world’s best players, while its closing stretch of holes, including a driveable par-4, reachable par-5 and the par-3 that Byrd aced his way to sudden death, always seeming to provide drama late in the tournament.

PRIZEMONEY: US$8,000,000

PLAYERS TO WATCH: The defending champion Sungjae Im has to be considered a big chance here this week after he showed his liking for the course in 2021 and was again a solid performer at the Presidents Cup.

Im’s greatest contribution to the biennial competition might have come in the form of his Gangnam Style dance rendition in the aftermath, something that wouldn’t go astray if he was to win a second straight title in Vegas.

Im’s teammate Tom Kim is probably still flying high after his debut at the Presidents Cup where he became everyone’s second favourite player, but the week off will have done him some good as he gets back to work here.

TPC Summerlin offers some of the typical elements of desert golf but also played at altitude. PHOTO: Alex Goodlett/Getty Images.

Kim is already a PGA Tour winner, and has the sort of game that should perfectly suit TPC Summerlin.

A player in form, and similarly a standout at the Presidents Cup, Max Homa doesn’t own a great record at this course, but you would have to favour his form over past history here.

Defending his Fortinet Championship title three weeks ago, the going 4-0-0 for the Americans, Homa is a big a chance to keep the good vibes going in Vegas.

Unlike Homa, former Shriners winner Patrick Cantlay has an exemplary record at TPC Summerlin, and recent form on his side as well.

Cantlay is a horses for courses sort of player, and this is one of his favourites.

There is a strong Australian contingent here this week, including the returns to action of Cam Davis and Lucas Herbert, but perhaps more interesting will be to see where the games of Ryan Ruffels and Jason Day sit.

Day missed the cut here two years, but has working very hard on his game to start his climb back up the world rankings, while Ruffels has found professional golf tough going since his days as a wunderkind but managed to Monday qualify here.

72-HOLE RECORD: 260 (Ryan Moore, 2012; Webb Simpson, 2013; Sungjae Im, 2021)

18-HOLE RECORD (TPC Summerlin): 60 (J.J. Henry, 2013; Rod Pampling 2016)

PAST AUSSIE WINNERS: Rod Pampling (2016), Andre Stolz (2004), Stuart Appleby (2003), Greg Norman (1986).

AUSTRALIANS IN THE FIELD: Cam Davis, Jason Day, Harrison Endycott, Lucas Herbert and Ryan Ruffels.

TV TIMES*
Round 1: Friday (Fox Sports 505 8am – 11am)
Round 2: Saturday (Fox Sports 505 8am – 11am)
Round 3: Sunday (Fox Sports 505 8am – 11am)
Round 4: Monday (Fox Sports 503 8am – 11am)
*AEDT, check local guides