WE remain in Texas this week for the Shell Houston Open and after local man Jimmy Walker won in the Lone Star State last time out maybe we should use the same criteria.
Apart from last week’s winner we have Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed and Shawn Stefani all taking part in their home state and any of them are capable of taking the top prize.
Spieth again looks to be hot favourite to win this but my money is going on Reed. He has made 16 consecutive cuts and is second in scrambling from the rough and 13th in adjusted scoring. His driving accuracy isn’t the best but GIR is nearly 67%, he is ranked 11th in strokes gained putting and seventh on overall putting average.
Patrick is having a good season and having one once already is fourth in the FedEx Cup standings. Due to win again soon.
I really don’t know why I’m doing this but I’m picking “The Kooch” again. He has let me down so often but I still come back for more. He lost the play-off here last year and had two T8 finishes in 2010 and 2011 so must like the course. He is T14 in scrambling from the rough and that will probably come in handy on this course.
My next pick is certainly not a local, in fact he’s not even an American but another favourite of mine, Paul Casey. Although he missed the cut at the Arnold Palmer he had a second and a T3 in the Northern Trust and The Honda Classic.
He has only won one tournament on the PGA Tour, that was in 2009, and then he had a few years in the doldrums before fighting back with some good results last year. He is 38th on the FedEx Cup standings this year and I’m backing him for a place.
JB Holmes is 16th in the FedEx Cup standings after a steady start to the season which includes two second places. He is ninth in putting average, ninth strokes gained tee to green and is fifth in birdie average. Well worth a shout.
Recommended Bets
Patrick Reed 2pts ew (18-1, 888sport, Ladbrokes)
Matt Kuchar 1.5pts ew (18-1, 888sport)
Paul Casey 1pt ew (50-1, bet365)
JB Holmes 1pt ew (28-1, BetVictor)
Ace Venturer
In December 2020 we sadly 
Sir raal
Can you plz post top 20 finish tips plz?
Had a bonny wee scoop last couple o weeks☺
Narrowly missed out last week with Ryan palmer but had Kevin phelan e.w and Jaco Van on european tour so it made up for it. This week I am doing 1st round leader which offers a lot of value – I’m backing JB Holmes 35/1 & Sergio Garcia 25/1 to be close after 1st round ! 1/4 odds 5 places bv !
I am having a nibble at Paul Casey 50/1 & Jason Kokrack 45/1 e.w outright gl all
What’s your early picks for the masters ace??? Each way and that please cheers!!!
M j, the only guy Ace has mentioned so far is Watson – he’ll do Masters tips next week.
I’m glad you’ve said that Mr F. That’s you and Ace that have mentioned Bubba then. I’ll be happy for a top 5 @ 16’s.
HOUSTON OPEN – TOP 20 FINISH
C TRINGALE 10/3 (888SPORT) * NAP *
P PEREZ 11/2 (BETVICTOR PP)
B DAVIS 13/2 (888SPORT)
Was a good week for me last week with my second winner of the season thanks to Jimmy Walker at 25/1 and my other two picks came 6th (Palmer 33/1) and 8th (Steele 45/1) hoping for another decent week in the build up to the masters
Slight change for me this week with 2 players i really fancy to win and 2 picks for place money, if they win ill retire from betting on golf as ill never have better result heres my picks
Phil Mickelson 28/1 (ew) At William Hill
I have always had a soft spot for Micks since his chipping performance at the Masters around 5 years ago won him the green jacket and whilst he hasnt been in great form this year he has shown signs of improvement and this is a course he has done well on, won in 2011, finished 12th last year
Patrick Reed 16/1 (ew) at William Hill
Man in form tied 7th in 2 of his last 3 starts, solid player who hopefully will be on the move come moving day Saturday
Carlos Ortiz 90/1 (ew) at William hill
One of my outside picks and this is due to fact that every now and then you get some real shock winners and ill be having couple quid on Ortiz first round leader. this guy is only 23 and i looked at him last week but picked others and after his first round of 7 over par i was quite relieved i left him out, he finished the week tied 15th after some solid golf 5 under and 2 under in rds 2 and 3 and is special
Brian Davis 200/1 (ew) at Paddy Power
Ok Brian is my shot in the dark pick this week he is 200/1 for a reason but can get prize money at decent price of 50/1 paying 6 places he has been in the top 15 already 3 times this year so hopefully will be on the cusp again, worth a quid on first round leader too at this price
Was on your picks last week Raal thanks again great tips :)
As there’s no Euro tour this week I’m taking the woman’s tour on. Daft ew double
Ko 9/2
Kokrak 40/1
Good luck all.
Four for me against the field – Kuchar 14/1, Oosthuizen 28/1, Moore 33/1 and Tringale – who’s finished in the top 10 in 2 of the last 3 years – 66/1.
Raaljaca,
If you had 5pts to put on your 3 selections, how would you divide it ?
3pts on the NAP and 1pt on the other two ? or ?
Thanks for the answer.
Yes mate
Thanks Raal.
Fingers crossed now :D
Cheeson Hadley top 10 finish @betfair 9.5/1 in good form finishing tied 4th last week.
Lads have a good golf tip from ireland. Jack Hume. 6.1 to win the west of Ireland championship. He won it last year. He is in great form.
Nice turnout Raaljaca! Thanks.
And a nice 28-1 ew for Ace Venturer!