2021 Shriners Children’s Open: Top 10 power rankings at TPC Summerlin

Abraham Ancer has pinballed between missed cuts and high finishes at the Shriners Children’s Open. This trend indicates he’s due for another MC this week in Las Vegas, but I think he’s in too good of form to struggle like that.

Ancer finally broke through for his first career PGA Tour win this summer at the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational. He nearly did it before that at TPC Summerlin.

Ancer contended at the Shriners in 2018 by finishing T-4th (66-66-69-66) and again in 2020 in solo fourth (66-66-65-67).

“Even the years I missed the cut was just weird stuff. Felt like I played pretty good,” Ancer was quoted by ASAP Sports. “I mean, it’s a fine line from missing the cut by one and you can win out here “But, yeah, I just like the layout. I think it’s a course that suits my game.”

The greens certainly suit his putter. Ancer was second in the field last year in strokes gained putting (8.325 total), helping him overcome a ball striking performance among the worst of those who made the cut.

The putter might not be quite so hot this year, but it is still a strength at 29th on the PGA Tour last season in SG (.412). His ball striking ought to be much better this time in Vegas. Ancer was 28th in SG tee to green (.831).

The Oklahoma alum is one of the more accurate drivers (5th, 71.05%) and makes a lot of birdies (20th, 4.2 per round) for a non-bomber.

The 30-year-old was previously in action at the Tour Championship where he finished ninth in the tournament/FedEx Cup. Ancer finished top-14 in five of his last seven events.