Golf: Houston Open
Venue: Golf Club of Houston
Dates: Thursday 10th – Sunday 13th October 2019
Tournament Preview
The Houston Open has been a key component on the PGA Tour since 1946 and has been reshuffled on the schedule for 2019. The event will be played at the Golf Club of Houston for the last time before it moves to the Memorial Park Golf Course in 2020. With $7.5 million in the prize pot, there is plenty more than just rankings points to play for in Texas. Previous winners of the event include Ian Poulter, Phil Mickleson, Vijay Singh and Fred Couples, testament to the tournament’s standing on the PGA Tour. With less than 12 months until the Ryder Cup too, spots on the US Team will be up for grabs and how many of the big names would like to pick up precious points here.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
Plenty of the fringe players on the PGA Tour feature here in Houston and they will be keen to get their hands on some silverware here:-
Former Open champion Henrik Stenson has struggled for form in recent seasons and the Swede will be hoping he can pick up some precious ranking points and prize money here.
Few players on the tour have demonstrated the same consistency on the PGA Tour as Brian Harman in recent weeks and the American will be hoping to build on his three consecutive top 20 finishes.
Russell Henley arrives in Houston in decent form following yet another solid season on the PGA Tour and he will be keen to pick up his first title of the year here in Texas.
Former PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley will be looking for his first tournament win in over a year and he hasn’t missed a cut since the Open in July.
Charismatic American Pat Perez arrives at the Houston Open as one of the men to beat following his top three finish at the Shriners Open last time out.
1st Round Leader
Producing the goods over 72 holes is often the most difficult thing for any golfer to do therefore here are our first round leader picks:-
American Daniel Berger continues to get off to flying starts in most of the events he plays and fresh from his top 20 last time out, he could be raring to go here in Houston.
Consistent Scotsman Russell Knox has become a staple on the PGA Tour in recent seasons and he will be eager to put in a performance here having not won on the tour for 3 years.
With two top 10 finishes in his last three starts, Harris English is one of the most in-form players in the field and he looks set to have another strong week in Houston.
Top Ten Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in Houston, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 10 come Sunday:-
Safeway Open winner Cameron Champ looks to be one to watch on the PGA Tour and he should arrive full of confidence with that first tournament win under his belt.
Experienced American Kyle Stanley continues to perform on the PGA Tour having cracked the top 100 in the rankings in 2019 and he’ll be keen to demonstrate his qualities here.
Despite enduring a baron run for much of 2019, Luke List bounced back with a top 15 last week at the Shriners Open and could arrive in Texas ready to challenge the field.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Henrik Stenson – 10.00
1st Round Leader: Harris English – 50.00
Top Five Finish: Cameron Champ – 2.50
