Our golf betting expert offers up his three best betting tips and predictions ahead of the Houston Open which starts at Memorial Park Golf Club on Thursday.
With just two weeks to go before The Masters at Augusta, both Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy will be looking to tune their games up for the first Major of the year when they face off at this week’s Houston Open, but there are plenty of other players in the field looking to make their mark at Memorial Park Golf Club.
Houston Open Betting Tips
- Tony Finau to win the Houston Open (each-way) @ 35/1 with bet365
- Alex Smalley to win the Houston Open (each-way) @ 50/1 with bet365
- Jake Knapp to win the Houston Open (each-way) @ 70/1 with bet365
Course winner Finau could be a factor
Scheffler has been runner-up in this tournament twice and McIlroy is looking to build on his victory at the Players Championship, but former Houston Open champion Tony Finau could mount a bold bid this week.
The six-time PGA Tour winner from Utah won by four shots at Memorial Park two years ago and this is just the sort of venue where his strength off the tee and with his long irons can come to the fore.
He was also in a five-way tie for second 12 months ago, a shot behind Stephan Jaeger and he has shot a round of 62 on each of his last two course appearances.
Finau missed the cut at the Players, but he was fifth at the recent Genesis Invitational despite starting with a 76, so big things can be expected this week.
Houston Open Bet 1: Tony Finau to win the Houston Open (each-way) @ 35/1 with bet365
Consistent Smalley is making strides
Even though he missed the cut at last week’s Valspar Championship, this could be the week Alex Smalley makes a breakthrough after playing solidly since the turn of the year.
He has missed two of eight cuts and his worst finish in his completed tournaments has been 21st, so he has been knocking on the door.
His course form also provides encouragement despite last year’s missed cut, as he was fourth two years ago and 15th the year before that when he was not in the sort of form he has been displaying for the last few months.
Houston Open Bet 2: Alex Smalley to win the Houston Open (each-way) @ 50/1 with bet365
Knapp could knit it all together
After shooting an opening round of 59 at the Cognizant Classic three weeks ago, Jake Knapp will have been disappointed to have only finished sixth, but he should be able to gather himself together after missing the weekend last week at Copperhead.
He recovered from his Cognizant disappointment by finishing 12th among a tougher field at the Players and he was also 17th in the Genesis Invitational, one of the tour’s senior events, so he should have nothing to fear this week and could go well at a big price.
Houston Open Bet 3: Jake Knapp to win the Houston Open (each-way) @ 70/1 with bet365
