Tour pros play a game with which most of us are unfamiliar, but this week they’re on a course to which all of us can relate. It’s time for the Cadence Bank Houston Open, at Memorial Park, an historic muni that was overhauled three years ago by Tom Doak, with design input from four-time major winner Brooks Koepka.
Koepka will not be in the field in Houston. Nor will defending champ, Carlos Ortiz. Both men have since decamped for LIV. But Scottie Scheffler will be making the trip from his home in Dallas, and his pal, Sam Burns, will also be in the mix. Scheffler and Burns are the current favorites on the betting board, followed by Aaron Wise, Tony Finau and Russell Henley, who won last week at Mayokoba.
Who you gonna take?
Andy Lack has some ideas. As he does each week, GOLF.com’s expert prognosticator is sharing his four favorite plays: a winner, a top 10, a top 40 and a matchup. You can see them below. Because we like to know where public opinion is leaning, we’re also sharing data from Chirp.com, a free-to-play mobile platform (and GOLF.com affiliate) that offers fans a range of ways to engage in the actions.
Let the games begin.
Andy Lack’s Picks
Outright Pick to Win: Aaron Wise (+2000)
(Odds available on Bet365)
Yeah, I know. Seems a bit jarring, endorsing a player with one only one career win, which came over four years, at such a short price. But I’m convinced Wise is on the precipice of something special. The 26-year-old ranks top-25 in this field in long-term proximity from 175 yards, Bermudagrass putting, strokes gained off the tee in difficult scoring conditions, strokes gained total on long golf courses, and bogey avoidance. Given those stats, it comes as no surprise that Wise has finished 11th and 26th in his two appearances here, gaining over four strokes ball-striking in both occasions. Coming off a flawless Sunday 64 to finish top-15 last week in Mexico, Wise has momentum, which I expect will carry him to his second career win.
Top 10: Jason Day (+320)
(Odds available on DraftKings Sportsbook)
It’s unlikely that Day will ever return to being a top-five play in the world. But that’s not what we’re asking. All we need is for him to crack the top 10 this week. I like his chances for a few reasons. The former PGA Championship winner has now record three top-25 finishes in a row and gained over 3.6 strokes off the tee in his last three measured starts. Day can still bomb it. And for all his injuries, his short game remains elite. The 12-time PGA Tour winner now returns to a course where he has already finished 7th, and which closely resembles some of the other longer and more difficult tracks (Quail Hollow, Bay Hill, Torrey Pines, Augusta) where he has played well throughout his career.
