? Texas Children’s Houston Open 2024: Expert Betting Preview & Picks

The Texas Children’s Houston Open at Memorial Park is set to be a pivotal event in the PGA Tour calendar. Hosted in Houston, this year’s tournament features top talent, favorable course conditions, and strategic betting opportunities. Will Docter, host of the Golf Preview Podcast, shares his in-depth analysis, highlighting player stats, course insights, and value bets to consider.

 Memorial Park Course Overview

Memorial Park Golf Course enters 2024 in its best condition yet. While it's the second-longest course on the PGA Tour, recent full overseeding has drastically improved playability:

• The course now features lush, consistent turf from tee to green.

• Previous issues with tight, grainy Bermuda lies are gone.

• Around-the-green play is significantly more manageable this year.

This improvement benefits all players, especially those previously disadvantaged by the slick, tight grass. The course’s small landing zones and elevated surfaces demand a sharp short game, especially with uphill, into-the-grain chips.

? Weather Impact and Strategy

Forecasts show heavy rain starting Thursday evening into Friday, emphasizing the importance of carry distance. Players in the late-early draw may face soggy, windy conditions. Strategic bettors should favor players with early-late tee times, strong off-the-tee stats, and consistency on soft greens.

 Valspar & Singapore Recap

 Victor Hovland – Valspar Champion

• Closed with birdies on 11, 14, 16, 17.

• Overcame short-game woes with exceptional putting and iron play.

 Lucas Glover – T8 Finish

• Scores: 70-71-69-68

• 8th around the greens, +1.5 strokes putting.

• Cashed Top 10 ticket (+320).

 Taylor Moore – Missed Cut by 1

• Triple and double bogey derailed solid rounds.

 Ryan Gerard – T57

• Lost strokes off the tee, around greens, and putting.

• Poor finish after being -4 early in R2.

Other Notables

•  Corey Conners Top 20

•  Adam Schenk, Kaito Onishi, Chandler Phillips failed to cash.

•  Bud Cauley beat Sam Stevens in matchup.

 Singapore Classic

•  Wenyi Ding lost after slow start.

• Richard Mansell wins in a shortened 54-hole event.

? Houston Open Betting Strategy

? Course Fit Priorities:

1. Distance Over Accuracy – Carry distance is key.

2. Total Iron Play – Focus on 150–190 yard approaches.

3. Elite Short Game – Required for small, tricky chip zones.

Top Five Player Previews

Scotty Scheffler (4-1)

• Outstanding ball striker.

• History: 2nd, 9th, 2nd last 3 years at Memorial Park.

•  Weak putting +  weather-exposed tee time.

Rory McIlroy (7-1)

• Hot putter, recent winner at Pebble and Players.

•  Ideal early-late draw.

• Course debut, but setup suits his game perfectly.

Aaron Rai (28-1)

• Strong past results (7th x2) but:

  •  Short off tee.

  •  Weather draw risk.

  •  Tough matchup list.

JJ Spaun (35-1)

• Top-tier iron play, 2 runner-ups recently.

•  No course history, inconsistent putting.

Davis Thompson (35-1)

•  10th at Players, top 10 in total driving.

•  Elite short game.

•  Pick to Win by Will Docter.

 Matchups

1. Ricky Castillo over Sam Ryder (EVEN)

   • Castillo: Long hitter, 18th in total driving.

   • Ryder: Weak history at Memorial Park.

2. Mack Meissner over Justin Lauer (-110)

   • Meissner: Hot iron form, excels on Bermuda.

   • Lauer: Off form, weak off tee and approach.

 Picks to Place

• Tony Finau Top 20 (+150)

  • Won and runner-up here previously despite poor form entering.

• Min Woo Lee Top 20 (+160)

  • Long driver, putting surge, elite short game.

  • Perfect fit for soft, wide fairways.

 Outrights & Sleeper

• Davis Thompson (35-1) – Ball striker with complete game.

• Mack Meissner (175-1) – Value pick based on trajectory.

• Sleeper: Mackenzie Hughes Top Canadian (+350)

  •  Early-late draw, consistent at Memorial.

  • Rivals in poor form or unfavorable weather waves.

? First Round Leader Bets

• Rory McIlroy Top 10 after R1 (+188)

  • Early tee time, 3rd off the box.

• Sammy Valimaki Top 10 after R1 (12-1)

  • Early riser, top-tier R1 scoring average.

 DFS Lineups

DraftKings (50K Budget)

• Min Woo Lee – $9.6K

• Davis Thompson – $9.4K

• Tony Finau – $9.2K

• Mackenzie Hughes – $7.5K

• Mack Meissner – $6.9K

• Sammy Valimaki – $6.6K

? PGA Tour .com

• Captain: Davis Thompson

• Finau, Lee, Meissner

• Bench: Valimaki, Hughes

 Final Predictions

• Winning Score: 17 under par

• Best Bet: Davis Thompson Top 10 (+350)

Follow @DrMedia59 for more updates throughout the week.