The PGA Tour is headed back to the Golf Club in Houston for the first time in nearly two years for the Houston Open this week. After 13 straight renewals at the Golf Club in Houston, this will be the final renewal at that location before the tournament shifts to Memorial Park Golf Club moving forward. The good news is that we have more than a decade of action at this course to use to our advantage when it comes to handicapping this event. Let\u2019s take a closer look at the field for this event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2018: IAN POULTER -19 Stenson is among the top names set to tee off in Houston this week. Considering his past performances at this course, there is no way we can overlook him this week. Stenson has already registered two runner-up finishes, a third-place finish and a sixth-place finish at this tournament. Is this the year that he finally breaks through and captures that elusive victory? With six Top 20 results at past renewals of the Houston Open, he\u2019s a good bet<\/a> to be in contention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While we took a look at Brian Harman and Russell Henley here, we ultimately decided to go with Berger following a strong finish at the Shriners. Berger has consistently been in contention in past editions of the Houston Open. Berger has registered four straight Top 25 finishes at this tournament, including back-to-back fifth-place finishes. He doesn\u2019t have a win here, though, so take him for a Top 10 prop<\/a> rather than to win outright.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scheffler had excellent results in his first two events of the season and while he fell back last week, I\u2019m expecting a rebound. He finished in a tie for seventh and 16th in his first two events before finish 74th last week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A University of Texas alumni, Scheffler has plenty of experience playing this course. While he finally showed signs of slowing down at TPC Summerlin, there is no reason to think he can\u2019t pick right back up this week at a course that he loves. With Top 16 finishes in five of his last six starts overall, Scheffler is a good value pick to contend for the outright win in Houston this weekend. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There isn\u2019t a better sleeper option on the board this week than Cauley, who is listed at +4000 odds to win outright. In four appearances at this event, Cauley has finished in the Top 20 on three different occasions. With three Top 25 finishes in his last six starts overall, there is no reason to expect Cauley to slow down this week. Take him for a Top 10 props rather than to win outright, though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Looking even further down the list, Stefani makes sense as another sleeper pick that offers incredible value this week. The Texas-native also has plenty of experience playing at the Golf Club in Houston. Now back in his home state, he has a chance to build on his excellent numbers, including ranking eighth on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Approach-the-green. He\u2019s just a dart throw that I like as I wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see him compete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2017: RUSSELL HENLEY -20
2016: JIM HERMAN -15
2015: J.B. HOLMES -16
2014: MATT JONES -14<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nTHE FAVORITE<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
HENRIK STENSON +900<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
NEXT IN LINE<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
DANIEL BERGER +2000<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
SCOTT SCHEFFLER +2800<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
SLEEPER PICKS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
BUD CAULEY +4000<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
SHAWN STEFANI +10000<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n