Last Week: Once in a while, we miss the mark and that was the case a week ago at the Valspar where we failed to return any winners. But we remain optimistic that we will bounce back this week.
This Week: The tour has finished up in Florida and moves on for two stops in Texas before the Masters. This week, it’s in Houston at Memorial Park, a municipal course where green fees are as low as $30. The course is among the harder ones on the PGA Tour, usually ranking somewhere around 12th most difficult. Last year, however, due to the impact of a hurricane, more than 100 trees were lost and with the open angles that emerged, it played much easier with a scoring average just under 69. It should return to a somewhat more difficult test this time around.
To Win
Chris Gotterup +1800
When the cat’s away, the others will play. With the late withdrawal from Scottie Scheffler, the favourites are a bit more plentiful and Gotterup would be among the favs. While he has cooled up since his blazing start where he won the SONY and then added a playoff victory in Phoenix, he still as all the tools to take on this course and notch another victory.
Brooks Koepka +2200
Koepka seems to be finding a groove after all the hubbub of his move back to the PGA Tour. He’s been inside the top 20 in his last three starts and leads the tour in Strokes Gained: Approach. His putter has been the weak link in an otherwise sturdy game. Could be a good time for a breakout.
Top 10
Marco Penge +340
After a slow start to the year, Penge has seemingly found his stride with a tie for fourth last week at Valspar. His game has strong and weak points; he is first in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee but 140th in SG: Approach. Once he figures out how to put all the pieces together, he should be a tremendous threat.
Sam Burns +300
Burns has tied for seventh twice in this event and also missed the cut twice. Oh, and he hasn’t played here the last two years, so everything in pairs, apparently. After missing the cut at Genesis and the Arnold Palmer, he rebounded with a tie for 13th at the Players. His long drives should help here as should his brilliant putting.
Top 20
Shane Lowry +170
There are definitely some question marks about Lowry’s game at the moment. After just missing a win at the Cognizant Classic, he has missed cuts at both the Arnold Palmer and the Players. His last two starts at this event produced a tie for 11th and a missed cut. We’re looking for a return to form this week in Houston.
PIerceson Coody +170
Sitting in 51st spot on the Official World Golf Rankings, Coody needs one big week to get one of the final spots in the field at the Masters by being in the top 50. Coody would love to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, Charles Coody, who won the Masters in 1971. Coody jumped out of the gate early this year with five top-20 finishes in six starts and even though he’s cooled off since then, he’ll be in full focus hoping to earn his way to Augusta.
Extras
Top Canadian
AJ Ewart +650
He was top Canuck last week and with these odds, why not do it again?
Make the Cut
Burns, Koepka, Knapp, Fowler all make the cut +165
All four have been playing well and should make it to the weekend.