There is just one more stop on the PGA Tour before the 2017 Masters tournament begins. This week we have a preview and betting tips for the 2017 Shell Houston Open.
2017 PGA Tour Shell Houston Open Betting Tips
Where: Golf Course of Houston, Humble, Texas
When: Thursday 30th March (11:20pm first tee)
This is the 12th time that the Golf Course of Houston has hosted the Shell Houston Open. It was formally known as Redstone and has some similarities to Augusta National. The tournament officials do their best to simulate some Masters conditions such as copying the mowing patterns and keeping the greens very fast (usually 13 on the stimp-meter). Therefore, players use it as a tune up for the first major of the year. This can make it an extremely hard tournament to bet on, especially with players such as Phil Mickelson, who are known to “tinker” on the course.
In the past, there have been all sorts of winners including long hitters, accurate players, veteran winners and first time winners. The tournament favourite is last week’s tip Jordan Spieth at $7.50 and at that price there is no value. However, Spieth is leading the PGA Tour in Greens-in-regulation and that has been the most relevant stat for past winners here.
Ricky Fowler
Has finally broken into the top 10 in world rankings and I can see him staying there. He took last week off and the last time he did this earlier in the year he won the Honda Classic. Fowler is having a great season. His results include a 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th,6th,12th and 16th. When he plays, he’s in contention.
Fowler has finished in the top 10 twice at the Shell Houston Open and is currently hitting 70.71% of greens (ranked 32nd). Solid Pick.
Tip: Ricky Fowler to win - $17 at CrownBet
Russell Henley
Henley looks slightly over the odds considering he is a Houston Open specialist. In his last three starts he has finished T-5th, T-4th and T-7th. He also ticks the box in the Green-in-regulations department, currently hitting 71.77% of greens (ranked 20th on tour). Henley can take advantage of a watered down field this week.
Tip: Russell Henley to win - $34 at CrownBet
Patrick Reed
I had to include at least one local boy. In ten events this season Patrick Reed has just one top 10 finish. However, he is trending in the right direction when it comes to the Shell Houston Open. In 2015, he finished T-17th and in 2016 he finished T-10th.
Tip: Patrick Reed to win - $41 at CrownBet
Jamie Lovemark
Because this tournament is wide open I am going to pick two long-shots. Lovemark is my first roughie. He was in 2nd place after three rounds last year until a final round 76 dropped him into 18th. He would have learnt a lot from that. He finished 4th at the Sony Open with closing rounds of 65.
Tip: Jamie Lovemark to win - $101 at CrownBet
Angel Cabrera
Cabrera is at 500-1 for a reason but he’s also won of those players that can get hot around this time of year. He played in the Puerto Rico Open last week and opened with a 69. He also opened with a 69 here last year before fading. Last year a 39-year-old won this tournament, why not a 47-year-old this year.
Tip: Angel Cabrera to win - $501 at CrownBet
