The Masters is just two weeks away and the two market leaders for Augusta glory will be at Memorial Park Golf Club this week for the Houston Open, hoping to hone their game to peak in their quest for a Green jacket.
Scottie Scheffler already has two such garments and he will hope to star this week in his home state of Texas at a course where he has finished runner-up twice, including last year when he was one of five players who finished a shot behind Stephan Jaeger.
Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, makes his debut on the 7,475 par 70 test, although it will be a case of just ticking over after he triumphed at the Players Championship the last time he was in action a fortnight ago.
But it is more than a two-player tournament and there are plenty of others in the field who will hope to make bold bids for glory with 2025’s first Major just a fortnight away.
- TONY FINAU TO WIN THE HOUSTON OPEN (EACH-WAY)
- ALEX SMALLEY TO WIN THE HOUSTON OPEN (EACH-WAY)
- JAKE KNAPP TO WIN THE HOUSTON OPEN (EACH-WAY)
Finau Can Claim Another Course Success
Tony Finau was second alongside Scheffler last year and represents some strong value to replicate the triumph he celebrated in the Lone Star State 12 months before.
The six-time PGA Tour winner finished four shots ahead of the field on that occasion and he has posted a round of 62 around the track in each of those last two visits.
His ability off the tee and with long irons can come to the fore this week and fifth spot at the Genesis Invitational after he started with a 76 provides further reason why another strong performance at a course he loves should not be ruled out.
TONY FINAU TO WIN THE HOUSTON OPEN (EACH-WAY)
Consistent Smalley Knocking At The Door
One player who is worth bearing in mind this week is Alex Smalley, even though the 28-year-old failed to make the cut at last week’s Valspar Championship.
That was only the second weekend he has missed in eight tournaments since the start of the year and while he played just two rounds at last year’s Houston Open, he does have some strong results at this week’s venue.
He was fourth in 2023 and 15th the year before and he is in much better form this year, having finished no worse than 21st in his six completed 2025 efforts.
ALEX SMALLEY TO WIN THE HOUSTON OPEN (EACH-WAY)
Knapp Proving His Ability At A High Level
Jake Knapp was another who didn’t make the cut at Copperhead last week, but we have seen enough to suggest he can compete in this sort of company.
He blasted an opening 59 at the Cognizant Classic three weeks ago and an eventual sixth-placed finish must have felt slightly underwhelming, but he showed no ill-effects afterwards when he finished an encouraging 12th among an elite gathering at the Players.
Knapp was also 17th in a signature event at the Genesis Invitational and this could be the week when everything comes together.
JAKE KNAPP TO WIN THE HOUSTON OPEN (EACH-WAY)
