All to play for at the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open

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It’s all to play for at the 2024 Shriners Children’s Open as we head into a final day which is bound to be eventful. 

Highwinds and bad light has disrupted the tournament schedule and organisers have had to play catchup over the last few days. With most of the leaders still needing to finish their third rounds, it looks set to be a busy day of action as the players try to get their hands on the $1.26 million first place prize. 

With plenty on the line and PGA glory on the line, here are some things to look out for today. 

Doug Ghim and J.T Poston will hope to start the final round as leaders

When bad light stopped yesterday’s third round it was the duo of Doug Ghim and J.T Poston who found themselves leading the way. Sitting on top of the leaderboard on -15 and leading by one, Ghim still has two holes to finish whilst Poston still has five to complete his third round. 

For Ghim it’s been a funny year. Having made the cut in most of the tournaments he has played, he has consistently between 20th place and 50th place and has rarely troubled the top of the leaderboards. 

His best finish of the year came at the Mexican Open where he finished eighth and he will hope to surpass that effort here.

Starting his week well with a 64, Ghim’s putter cooled in the second round when he could only shoot a 70 in his second round. However, his scoring touch returned yesterday as he recorded seven birdies in the 16 holes that he managed to complete, vaulting to the top of the leaderboard in the process. 

Ghim has never won a PGA title in his career but has posted top five finishes in prestigious titles such as the Players Championship. Wanting to change that record today, the next 20 holes stand to be some of the biggest of his career. 

Looking to deny Ghim his first PGA title is J.T Poston. Twice a PGA Tour winner, Poston’s last title came at the John Deere Classic in 2022 and he will hope to end that two year barren spell today.

Having finished third at this event last season Poston certainly seems to like the layout of TPC Summerlin and he looks determined to go a few places better this time around. 

One of the best putters on the PGA Tour, his putter has been electric over the first two rounds but it cooled during his third round. Able to make a crucial eagle on the par 5 ninth hole, the rest of his round has just contained pars. 

Still with five holes of his third round to play, Poston will hope that he can quickly rediscover his scoring touch and push himself right to the top of the standings. 

Doug Ghim


Harris English continues comeback from injury

Harris English’s highly promising career came to a shuddering halt when the American had to take significant time out of the game to deal with a career threatening back injury. 

Coming when he was ranked inside of the top ten in the world rankings, English has had to bide his time but seems to have refound his swing and his now in the process of hurtling back up the world standings.

Having found himself in contention at last week’s Black Desert Championship, he surprisingly fell away during the final round and could only finish in 6th. Looking to build on that effort this week, English has recorded just one birdie through his first two rounds and was able to keep his scorecard clean through the first 14 holes of his third round. 

Recording four birdies in his third round, English is right in the mix once more and he looks a serious contender to win his first title since 2021.

Plenty of others find themselves in contention ahead of what could be a thrilling final day

As is often the nature of the Shriners Children’s Open, with each hole offering the chance of a birdie, the leaderboard is stacked and there are plenty of players who will harbour serious hopes of victory. 

One man who can rest and relax whilst the rest of the field continue their third round is Kurt Kitayama. Rounds of 66 and 68 offered up a solid start to the American’s tournament, but he surpassed that yesterday with a brilliant bogey free round of 65. 

Coming alive on the back nine with five birdies in just six holes, the American who is seeking his first title since the 2023 Arnold Palmer and will likely have a deficit to make up by the time he tees off for his final round. 

A dark horse for victory if he can continue his current level of form he could be one of the best value options of the day. 

Another man to keep an eye on today could be Gary Woodland. The former U.S. Open winner has been working his way back to health following the removal of a brain tumour and due to him not playing a full schedule, Woodland currently sits outside of the 125 in the FedEx Fall Schedule. 

Knowing that a big win could secure his immediate PGA future, the big hitting American is another who was able to complete his third round and as it stands is just one shot off the leaders. 

There would be no more popular winner this season than if Woodland were able to complete a memorable victory today and many will be hoping that the man from Kentucky will be able to complete a sensational return to form. 

One man already assured of his PGA status for next season is Taylor Pendrith. A huge hitter of the ball, the Canadian has enjoyed a fantastic season on the PGA Tour, winning his first title and qualifying for the season ending Tour Championship for the very first time. 

Having enjoyed a brilliantly consistent season, Pendrith is two shots off the lead and still has six holes of his third round. A real danger to all at the top of the standings, he could be the man the rest of the field needs to beat today.

Plenty of others


Shriners Children’s Open meeting betting

If you fancy placing a bet ahead of the final day of action at the Shriners Children’s Open, here is how the top ten betting currently looks.

J.T Poston - 3/1

Harris English - 7/1

Taylor Pendrith - 15/2

Doug Ghim - 8/1

Matti Schmid - 8/1

Alejandro Tosti - 11/1

Kurt Kitayama - 12/1

Gary Woodland - 16/1

Norman Xiong - 18/1

Davis Thompson - 20/1