Golf Betting Tips and Predictions

The PGA Tour heads to Texas for the Houston Open this week, as players get an opportunity to fine-tune their games ahead of The Masters in two weeks' time.

Following a strong run of results in recent weeks, this event also carries added significance, with it representing the last realistic chance for many to break into the world’s top 50 and secure an invitation to Augusta.

Held at Memorial Park Golf Course, this is a venue that plays very differently from many others on the schedule, and one where the edge, from a betting perspective, has become increasingly clear in recent renewals.

Houston Open 2026 key information, prize money and how to watch

Memorial Park has hosted this event since 2021 and has quickly established itself as one of the more distinctive tests on the PGA Tour calendar.

The par-70 layout measures approximately 7,475 yards and features wide, forgiving fairways that encourage aggressive play off the tee.

  • Venue: Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas, USA
  • Dates: Thursday 26th March to Sunday 29th March
  • Total Prize Purse: Approximately £7.7 million
  • Winner's Prize Money: Approximately £1.4 million
  • TV Channel: Sky Sports Golf, Sky Sports Main Event
  • Broadcast Times:
    Thursday to Sunday – From 12:30pm
  • Tee times: Can be found here

What does it take to win at Memorial Park? Key statistics and angles

Compared to many weeks on Tour, Memorial Park offers a relatively straightforward blueprint for success.

This is very much a driver-heavy golf course.

Wide fairways and limited penalty off the tee allow players to attack aggressively, meaning those with proven distance upside can gain a significant advantage. Longer hitters can leave themselves shorter irons into greens, creating more birdie opportunities across the round.

With dry Texas conditions expected, rollout could increase further, widening the gap between the longer and shorter hitters, while wind can sometimes play a factor, too.

However, distance alone is not enough.

The green complexes at Memorial Park are deceptively tricky, and poor misses can quickly lead to dropped shots. That places an added emphasis on scrambling and short-game control, particularly from tightly mown areas.

Perhaps the most important shift in recent years has been the importance of putting.

Each of the last five winners has ranked inside the top five for putting for the week, underlining just how crucial a hot flatstick is in separating contenders from the rest of the field.

Key Statistics to win at Memorial Park:

  • Strokes Gained: Off The Tee
  • Driving Distance / Ball Speed
  • Strokes Gained: Approach
  • Proximity: 175-200 yards, 200+ yards
  • Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green / Scrambling

Correlated Courses to consider:

Looking at similar venues can help highlight players likely to thrive this week, particularly those that reward aggressive driving and strong approach play:

  • TPC Scottsdale – WM Phoenix Open
  • Bay Hill – Arnold Palmer Invitational
  • Vidanta Vallarta – Mexico Open
  • Detroit Golf Club – Rocket Mortgage Classic
  • PGA National – Cognizant Classic
  • Riviera Country Club – Genesis Invitational

If you're new to golf betting, check out our guide on how to pick a winner when betting on golf using statistics, form and course history

Texas Children’s Houston Open 2026 Betting Tips and Predictions

Market-wise, Scottie Scheffler opens as the clear 3/1 favourite this week, which is no surprise given his dominance tee-to-green and suitability to a test like Memorial Park.

However, while elite players can certainly contend here, this event has also shown a tendency to reward aggressive ball-strikers and emerging talent capable of spiking with the putter.

With that in mind, our betting card leans into players who combine distance, attacking intent and putting upside, alongside a few deeper selections who have the tools to outperform their odds.

Chris Gotterup – 20/1 each-way (7 places)

Chris Gotterup gets the nod here in what was a close call between him and Jake Knapp, with the former offering slightly better value.

Gotterup ranks 11th in the field for ball speed and sixth on Tour for driving distance, making him an ideal fit for a course that rewards aggressive play off the tee.

He has also excelled on longer par-4s this season and possesses a strong scrambling game from closely mown areas, which can be a useful asset given the nature of the green surrounds at Memorial Park Golf Course.

While he likely won’t get away with a below-average putting performance as he did when winning at WM Phoenix Open, he may not need to gain quite as much as others to contend, given his advantage off the tee.

Gotterup has won across the PGA and DP World Tour four times since 2024, and he shows no signs of letting up just yet.

Back Gotterup to win the Houston Open at 20/1 each-way with seven places on offer at Fitzdares

Nicolai Hojgaard – 33/1 each-way (7 places)

Having already backed Nicolai Hojgaard at both PGA National Resort and Bay Hill in recent weeks, it makes little sense to abandon him here, especially on a course that should suit him even better.

The Dane placed at PGA National and has already shown strong form on correlated layouts, including a T3 at TPC Scottsdale, an eighth-place finish in Mexico, and a T9 at Riviera last year.

Statistically, he ticks a number of boxes: He's inside the top 30 for GIR from 200+ yards, 10th on Tour for scrambling, and 4th for ball speed.

Add in his comfort in windy conditions, and he looks well-equipped to handle everything Memorial Park can throw at him.

Back Højgaard to win the Houston Open at 33/1 each-way with seven places on offer at Fitzdares

Here Are Six Tips To Win Big in Golf Betting

Sahith Theegala – 50/1 each-way (8 places)

A missed cut last week was a surprise for Sahith Theegala, but this looks like a good opportunity for him to bounce back.

His aggressive driving style should suit Memorial Park’s wide fairways, allowing him to fully utilise one of the more explosive games on Tour.

Importantly, his short game remains a strength, as he ranks 22nd on Tour for scrambling, which could prove vital if his iron play doesn’t fully click.

Recent highlights include a T6 at Bay Hill and a T4 in Scotland last year, showing both class and the ability to perform in breezier conditions.

He also has added motivation this week, as he is one of the major names yet to play his way into The Masters.

Back Theegala to win the Houston Open at 50/1 each-way with eight places on offer at Betfair

Michael Brennan – 125/1 each-way (7 places)

At a much bigger price, Michael Brennan is worth a speculative play.

He is currently the third-longest hitter on Tour, immediately putting him into the ideal profile for Memorial Park. He also ranks 13th for approaches from 200+ yards, an important metric given the number of long-iron shots required here.

There may also be a looser correlation with players who have performed well in Utah, with past winner Stephan Jaeger fitting a similar big-hitting mould.

At triple-figure odds, Brennan looks a worthwhile outsider with the raw tools to contend.

Back Brennan to win the Houston Open at 125/1 each-way with seven places on offer at Fitzdares

Isaiah Salinda – 180/1 each-way (10 places)

With the price on course specialist Alejandro Tosti now gone, Isaiah Salinda stands out as a value alternative.

His recent results may not immediately jump off the page, but he did finish T11 here last year, suggesting a clear comfort at Memorial Park Golf Course.

There are also encouraging signs elsewhere, including a T3 in Mexico, a Korn Ferry Tour win in Bermuda, ranking 17th on Tour for distance and 12th for approaches from 200-225 yards.

With a fairly reliable putter to complement his power game, Salinda has all the attributes to significantly outperform his odds.

Back Salinda to win the Houston Open at 180/1 each-way with ten places on offer at Bet365

Pontus Nyholm – 300/1 each-way (12 places)

A final dart goes to Pontus Nyholm at a huge price.

A Korn Ferry Tour winner via a chip-in last season, Nyholm has already shown he can thrive when under the gun and when also needing to rack up a low score.

He flashed with a T13 at PGA National, which prompted support in Puerto Rico the following week, where he finished T16.

While he missed the cut last time out, it was only by a narrow margin, and those fine margins can easily swing the other way.

There is also encouraging form on the HotelPlanner Tour in windy conditions, suggesting he could be well-suited to the test at Memorial Park if his irons improve slightly.

At 300/1 with 12 places on offer, he represents a classic high-risk, high-reward play.

Back Nyholm to win the Houston Open at 300/1 each-way with 12 places on offer at Betfair

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Lewis joined as News and Features Editor in July 2025, having previously held senior roles at Snack Media and GRV Media. He has also written extensively as a football and golf tipster for WeLoveBetting. He is also a proud Aldershot Town supporter.

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