Preview & Picks: The Houston Open

The Texas Swing, if you could call it that, really sits in an unfortunate position on the TOUR schedule.

It fits right in between the Florida Swing and The Masters, and as a result, the fields just aren’t that compelling. The Houston Open is usually bolstered by Scottie Scheffler, who likes to compete in his home state, but not this year.

Yesterday, he made a surprise WD, because he and his wife are expecting their second child.

Good news for the Schefflers, and good news for everyone else in the field too. With Scheffler out, the favorites are last years champ, Min Woo Lee, along with Chris Gotterup, Jake Knapp, and Brooks Koepka.

Memorial Park, which Brooks Koepka helped redesign a few years ago, is a bombers course. Notice how all of those betting favorites have that in common?

Field Notes

  • Putting has been the biggest separator – SG: Putting shows the highest correlation (~0.65), which is notable. On a course where scoring gets low (around -1.1 avg), players who can convert birdie looks and avoid mistakes on the greens tend to separate.

  • Approach play still matters a lot – SG: Approach is right behind (~0.58 correlation). With a large share of shots coming from 125–200+ yards, strong iron players continue to have a clear edge.

  • Distance > accuracy off the tee – Driving distance (~0.20) outpaces accuracy (~0.15), suggesting Memorial Park rewards length more than precision. It’s relatively forgiving, so players can lean on power without being overly punished.

The Details

Previous Winners

How To Watch:

Featured Groups:

PGA TOUR LIVE is available exclusively on ESPN+ and consists of four streams.

Weekly Bets: Houston Open

We’ve partnered with Keith Stewart at Read The Line to share his weekly golf betting picks with the Caddyshanks crew. If you’re the type who enjoys breaking down matchups, spotting trends, and hunting for value, you’ll feel right at home in the RTL community. Join Here.

Keith Stewart’s Picks

Nicolai Højgaard (+2800 BetMGM)

Here we go again. Nicolai Højgaard ranks eighth in approach, thirty-sixth around the greens, and seventeenth with the putter. He has plenty of ball speed and also sits inside the top 18 for par 3 and par 4 scoring among players in Houston. We’re looking for a bomber who can scramble, chip, and putt. Let’s not go beyond one of the Wonder Twins. I’m keeping Nicolai on my card for another week because I believe he can win.

Ryan Fox (+6700 DraftKings)

Ryan Fox is gaining in all aspects of his game over his last six starts. 2026 has been good to the Kiwi, with four top 25s in four PGA TOUR starts this season. Fox is primed to close out another tournament when we find the right fit. Memorial Park’s mid-iron requirement, short game successes, and positive putting skill set match Fox’s player CV. Ryan finished T15 last year in Houston with one bad round. Be sly and grab Foxy further down the odds board.

Caddyshanks Picks

Chris Gotterup (+2050 Draftkings)

With Scheffler out, we’re going back to the well once more with Gotterup. Between him and Cam Young, you’re looking at the two best breakout candidates of the year.

Brooks Koepka (+2500 Draftkings)

The major concern with Brooks right now is his putter, but the rest of his game has been really solid. If he can get the magic wand working, he should be in contention come Sunday.

Aldrich Potgieter (+8000 Draftkings)

The young man is an absolute bomber, and this field feels like it could be one that gives way to a longshot winner. Why not take a flyer?

Houston, We Got No Problem: Why Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston Needs to Be Your Next Golf Trip 

There’s just something so incredible about beautiful, well kept, muni Golf Courses, and Houston’s got a great one. Memorial Park Golf Course is Houston’s crown jewel municipal layout, a historic, Tom Doak-redesigned masterpiece in the heart of the city, nestled within the massive 1,466-acre Memorial Park (one of the largest urban parks in the U.S.). With wide fairways, fascinating green complexes, strategic bunkering, and runoff areas that reward creativity, it’s a playable yet challenging track that’s hosted the PGA TOUR’s Texas Children’s Houston Open since 2020. Affordable greens fees, top conditioning, and that big-city energy make it perfect for quick getaways or multi-round Houston golf trips.

Quick Facts

  • 18-hole championship course: (par 72, up to 7,400 yards), originally 1912/1936 (John Bredemus), fully renovated by Tom Doak (with Brooks Koepka input) in 2019
  • Urban park setting: Flat terrain with added dimension via ravines, water features on closing holes, minimal bunkers (just 19!), and bold contours for drama
  • Year-round play: Houston’s mild winters (great escape); hot/humid summers mean early tees; overseeded for spring PGA event vibes
  • Affordable elite access: Greens fees often $50-$150 (resident/non-resident, peak/off-peak); one of the best bargains for PGA TOUR-level quality
  • PGA TOUR home: Hosts the Houston Open annually, play where the pros battle for drama on the back nine

Perfect For…

  • Guys’ Trips: Urban energy with quick access to downtown Houston nightlife, post-round burgers/beers at on-site spots, and easy combo with nearby courses like The Golf Club of Houston or BlackHorse
  • Families: Public muni vibe with forgiving wide fairways, practice facilities (lighted range, putting/chipping greens); non-golfers enjoy the surrounding park trails, picnics, or nearby museums/zoo

Top Standout Features

Tom Doak Redesign (2019)

The star, Doak’s first PGA TOUR-hosting project, blending public playability with pro-level excitement. Wide fairways for everyday golfers, but precision needed for ideal angles; undulating greens with runoff/short-grass surrounds create risk-reward and creativity (Koepka helped focus on scoring drama).

Signature Closing Stretch

Bold water features and strategic decisions on the back nine, designed for excitement and tournament finishes. The layout encourages bold play while keeping it accessible; often praised as one of America’s top munis (Golf Digest, Golf Magazine rankings).

Practice Paradise

Lighted double-deck driving range, large putting/chipping greens, and a pro shop, great for warm-ups or all-day sessions. On-site Beck’s Prime for quick bites and drinks adds to the casual vibe.

Great Stay-and-Play Resorts & Spots

  • Nearby Houston hotels: The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa (partnership packages with Memorial Park tee times, no resort fees, pools/spa); Galleria-area spots like Staybridge Suites or IHG options for easy access
  • Urban packages: Combine with Houston golf trails (usgolftreks.com or similar) for multi-course deals; no on-site lodging, but downtown/ Galleria hotels are minutes away
  • Easy add-ons: Pair with nearby gems like Wildcat, Tour 18, or BlackHorse for full Houston golf itineraries

All Key Memorial Park Golf Highlights at a Glance

  • Memorial Park Golf Course (Tom Doak redesign, PGA TOUR host)
  • Lighted driving range & practice areas
  • On-site clubhouse & Beck’s Prime dining
  • Nearby: The Golf Club of Houston, BlackHorse, High Meadow Ranch
  • Plus Houston’s other munis (Gus Wortham, Sharpstown) for variety

Pro Tips

  • Book tee times early via memorialparkgolf.com or GolfNow, popular spot, especially weekends; use the app for easy access
  • Fly into Houston Hobby (HOU) or George Bush Intercontinental (IAH), short drive to the park
  • Pair golf with Houston classics: BBQ, craft beer scene, NASA, or Astros games; spring timing catches Houston Open energy
  • Play mornings to beat heat/humidity; forward tees keep it fun; embrace the urban park feel, walkers welcome, but carts available

Time to tee it up where the pros play, chase birdies in the heart of Houston, and reset on one of America’s best munis. Memorial Park is calling your escape.