2015 The Shell Houston Open
When: Thursday, April 2nd - First tee off 11:20pm AEDT
Purse: $6,700,000
The Shell Houston Open or what I like to call “Masters Prep Open” is a last chance for players to iron out any creases in their game and put their swings to the test in actual tournament situations.
Texas Native Jordan Speith is the favourite to win. Speith has been in great form and was right there last weekend finishing 2nd to Jimmy Walker at the Valero Texas Open. At 9-1 it’s hard to find value with Speith considering last year he didn’t make the cut in this tournament and it’s also generally a wide-open affair. Someone as talented as him might just have one eye on the Masters.
Nearly 80% of this week’s field does not have an invite to the Masters. There is one big reason to win this tournament and that is it includes the final invite into the prestigious Masters tournament. Last year Australian Matt Jones made his Masters debut after winning the Shell Houston Open.
The victory in 2014 came through a playoff. Runner up Matt Kuchar fell just shy from his 8th PGA tour win. He has the form here and I believe he can go one better than last year.
Bet on Matt Kuchar - $18.5 at Betfair
One player that also plays well in Texas is Kentucky-born JB Holmes. He lost to Paul Casey in a playoff here in 2009 and has the weapons to go one better this year.
Bet on JB Holmes - $30 at Betfair
If you have had your eye on either a rookie or a lesser known player this tournament is the perfect opportunity. My opportunistic player that ticks all the boxes is Chesson Hadley. He broke through around this time last year at the Puerto Rico Open and also put four solid rounds together last year. He is a fun young golfer that I would like to see in the Masters.
Bet on Chesson Hadley - $150 at Betfair
