Joe Champion
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With the Florida Swing in the books and the Majors approaching, a host of PGA Tour heavyweights travel to Texas for the Houston Open, marking the first half of a Lone Star State double. Who can stop Scottie Scheffler? That is the question that PGA Tour bettors are posed with when the Houston Open returns to Memorial Park Golf Course.
Following his victories at Bay Hill and Sawgrass, it would be foolish to suggest that Scheffler is anything other than the man to beat and he’s just +300 to become the first player to win 3 PGA Tour events in 3 starts since Dustin Johnson did so in 2017.
Houston Open golf picks and predictions
Sahith Theegala (+2200)
Odds available at BetMGM at time of publishing.
Scheffler has to be respected on his fine Memorial Park record alone but others have claims, too, starting with Sahith Theegala, who fired a closing 64 to finish 22nd in Houston last year. Theegala, who is a proven PGA Tour champion having claimed the Fortinet Championship in September, has been striking the ball magnificently in finishing 20th, 5th, 37th, 6th and 9th in his last 5 starts, all in stronger fields than this. His sharp short-game skills are a significant asset at Memorial, a wide course which is protected by tricky, slopey greens and fast run-off areas. He could be the man to upstage the favorite.
Alex Noren (+3500)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Alex Noren enjoyed the Houston test last year, finishing 4th behind Tony Finau, and the Swede is playing well enough to finally break his PGA Tour duck having finished 9th at the Cognizant Classic and 19th at the Players in his last two starts.
Mackenzie Hughes (+6000)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
With short-game to the fore, Mackenzie Hughes merits consideration. He was 3rd at the Valspar Championship on Sunday and has demonstrated his suitability for Memorial by finishing 7th, 29th and 17th in the last 3 Houston Opens.
Joel Dahmen (+9000)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Joel Dahmen, 5th in Houston in 2022 and 9th last season, found some form when 11th at the Players Championship and he looks capable of finishing in the top 10 or better.
