Texan Scottie Scheffler is heavily favoured to win his first Houston Open after missing out last year by a stroke as Stephen Jaeger lifted the trophy, becoming just the third European to win the time-honoured event.
Key Stats/Skill Set Required
- Strokes Gained: Approach
- Strokes Gained: Tee To Green
- Strokes Gained: Putting
- GIR
- Proximity
- Driving Distance
Memorial Park has been used for the last four editions of the Houston Open and it looks like distance off the tee helps.
But a strong approach game is more critical, as is a hot putter on this tough Par 70 course.
Key Correlation Courses/Tournaments
- Riviera
- Silverado Resort & Spa
BEST BET
JJ SPAUN
JJ Spaun has one PGA Tour victory and it came in Texas and he is in a good spot to win his second in the Lone Star State.
He has been in super form with two runner-up finishes in his last three starts and four Top 6 finishes this season.
Spaun has not contended at Houston but has made the cut all four starts.
Ranks second in Strokes Gained: Approach, seventh in Strokes Gained: Tee To Green and 15th in GIR.
BEST VALUE
LEE HODGES
Hodges returns to tournament golf after a six-week freshen-up but he was playing super beforehand with five Top 16 finishes in his last nine starts including a T-8 at the Farmers Insurance Open.
He is an elite putter who ranks third this season in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Finished T-24 at the Genesis last year, which serves as a good guide,
STEVEN FISK
Up from the Korn Ferry Tour this season, Fisk has shown flashes.
He finished T-4 in Puerto Rico and T-17 in Mexico in his last four starts.
Ranks sixth in GIR and 15th in Driving Distance so has a suitable game.
BEST ROUGHIES
TAYLOR MONTGOMERY
Montgomery is one of the best putters on the PGA Tour and in this field he leads in strokes gained on Bermuda greens.
He ranks seventh overall in Strokes Gained: Putting and eighth in Putting Average.
If the flat stick gets hot, this is a tournament he can win at a price.
FRANKIE CAPAN III
Talented young prospect up from the Korn Ferry this year.
He has not found his feet on the PGA Tour yet, but his putting numbers make him a contender here.
Ranks fourth in Putting Average and ninth in Strokes Gained: Putting.
TOP AUSTRALIAN
JASON DAY
Get around Jason Day this week as the top of the four Australian players.
Day has two Top 13 finishes in his last four starts and has finished Top 16 in two of his four starts at Memorial Park.
TOP ARGENTINIAN
ALEJANDRO TOSTI
Length off the tee is important here and Tosti has panels on Grillo, making this a nice head-to-head play.