2016 Shell Houston Open
Where: Humble, Texas, Golf Club of Houston
When: Thursday 31st March 2016 (First tee off 11:20pm AEST)
Purse: $6,800,000
Hello Punters. The Masters is just one week away and the Aussie golfers are just dominating the PGA Tour. Back to back wins by both Adam Scott and Jason Day was unbelievable and it’s going to make the 2016 Masters unmissable. However we will all have to cool our jets for seven more sleeps. In the meantime let’s take a look at the Shell Houston Open.
The final stop before the Masters is the Shell Houston Open in Humble, Texas. With some of the world’s best players taking the week off to prepare i.e. Jason Day, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott. Others such as Jordan Spieth, Ricky Fowler and Phil Mickelson are using this tournament as preparation. The tournament favourite is Jordan Spieth and although I will be staying away from Spieth this week I am not completely ruling him out for the Masters. Many have completely jumped off his bandwagon and I feel like it’s a little early to be doing this.
This course is known for its wide fairways and short rough so instantly punters jump on well known “big hitters” and I am not saying this is a bad strategy but I thought you should know a handy fact. The difference between the longest driver on tour and the 100th ranked driver on tour is about 20 yards (one or two clubs) and on the majority of the par 4’s this means hitting an 8 iron instead of a wedge or a 6 iron instead of an 8 iron. I am not ignoring the fact that there is moments where it’s a big advantage being long off the tee but I believe having course experience and past results is a bigger factor than just driving stats.
The weather forecast is for scattered Thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday with the wind getting up to 30km but then the sun will come out for the weekend. Sunday looks like a perfect golf day with no wind.
I am looking at three golfers with good experience at this course and generous odds.
Cameron Tringale
He finished T16 in 2013, 4th in 2014 and T5 last year. Of his last 12 rounds at the Shell Houston Open 8 of them have been in the 60’s.
Tip: Cameron Triangle to finish Top 20 - $5 at CrownBet (1 unit)
+ Triangle to win outright - $81 at CrownBet (0.25 units)
Jason Kokrak
Is having a solid season and ticks the box of long off the tee( if that’s what you’re looking for ) He has made $956,000 this season with a 2nd, top 10 and five top 25’s. $81-1 (top 20- $5)
Tip: Jason Kokrak to finish Top 20 - $5 at CrownBet (1 unit)
+ Kokrak to win outright - $81 at CrownBet (0.25 units)
Russell Henley
He usually plays better in these weaker fields. He finished T7 here in 2014 and 4th last year with four consecutive rounds in the 60’s.
Tip: Russel Henley to finish Top 20 - $7 at CrownBet (1 unit)
+ Henley to win outright - $126 at CrownBet (0.25 units)
