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

By Mike Randleman

Shriners Children's Open, TPC Summerlin,Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Shriners Children's Open, TPC Summerlin,Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 11, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Kevin Na watches his bunker shot on the first hole during the final round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open golf tournament at TPC Summerlin. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2020; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Kevin Na watches his bunker shot on the first hole during the final round of the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open golf tournament at TPC Summerlin. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevin Na is a long-time Las Vegas resident and has felt at home at this event. Two of his five career PGA Tour wins came at the Shriners Children’s Open.

Na’s first career title came here in 2011. He fired 67-63-66-65 to win by two shots over Nick Watney and by five over third place.

Na did it again in 2019. He posted 68-62-61-70 to reach a playoff with Patrick Cantlay. Na’s Saturday 61 was one shot off the course record. It was an extraordinary putting week for the champ who gained over 14 strokes on the greens. Na made 558 feet, 11 inches of putts to set a PGA Tour record.

“I think the big key is distance control here because the ball goes further out here.  Some of the guys have trouble adjusting to that,” Na was quoted by ASAP Sports in 2012. “But if you live out here you know how far your ball is flying, so it’s easier to club yourself with the irons.  That’s a big edge on everybody else in the field. If I was honest put my money on the guys, if you gave me a handful of guys to pick, I would pick all the local guys.”

Overall, the 38-year-old has seven made cuts in 10 appearances with two missed cuts and a withdrawal. Na finished T-43rd (66-66-64-76).

Na is far from just a horse for the course this week. He played brilliant golf coming down the stretch of the 2020-21 PGA Tour season that left him among the first names to miss out on receiving a captain’s pick for the American Ryder Cup team.

The Californian had a streak of six straight top-25s, including T-2nd at the John Deere Classic, T-2nd at the Wyndham Championship and third at the Tour Championship where he tied for the lowest gross score.

Na was also a winner early in 2021 at the Sony Open.

He ranked first on the PGA Tour last season in strokes gained around the green (.702) and 36th in birdie average.

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