NCG’s tipster Barry Plummer has been in fine form of late. Can he add to that run in Texas? Here’s everything you need to know
Another case of so near yet so far last week, as 80/1 tip Carlos Ortiz comes up just short in second place. That extends our run of top-two finishes to four weeks, so there is plenty to be excited about as we head to the Houston Open. An interesting field is assembled for this one, with Sam Burns and Scottie Scheffler heading the betting. I won’t be going near those names at their current prices, but with plenty of value on offer I have picked out three players to side with this week. But first…
Houston Open details
Venue: Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, USA
Date: November 11-14, 2020
Course stats: Par 72; 7,432 yards
Course summary: We return to the municipal Memorial Park Golf Course for a second year, and with that comes some useful course information. This long, flat, tree-lined parkland should play relatively easily for the players, with very few obvious defences. Minimal bunkering protects the large Bermuda grass greens, with short rough flanking the generous fairways. The danger lies around the greens at this venue, with scrambling and a solid short game essential.
Purse: $7,500,000
Defending champion: Carlos Ortiz (-13)
Houston Open TV coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports Golf and Sky Sports Main event from 6pm
Friday: Sky Sports Golf from 6pm
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf from 6pm
Sunday: Sky Sports Golf from 6pm
Houston Open staking plan
Bazza’s Banker: Tyrrell Hatton @ 28/1 with Bet365
An impressive display at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship when runner-up demonstrated to me that Hatton is not far away from his best golf at the moment, and when he followed up with a T18 at the CJ Cup I already earmarked this event as a potential win for the Englishman.
Hatton finished tied seventh in this event last season, with a closing 65 on Sunday, and I am sure he will be looking to better that with four rounds at Memorial Park already under his belt. With the tricky green complexes at this venue, creativity and short game are going to be key, so it is encouraging that Hatton ranks 7th for SG: Around-the-green in the last three months.
We know that is a consistently strong aspect of his game, as he ranks 1st in the same category in the last six months, so expect a bold effort from one of the games great entertainers.
The Each-Way Play: Aaron Wise @ 33/1 with bet365
Aaron Wise has started this season on fire, so returning to a course where he played well last year could be just what he needs to get that elusive second win. He had similar strong form prior to winning his first PGA Tour title, and I wouldn’t back against him converting again soon.
In his four appearances this season so far, Wise has finished in the top-10 twice and in the top-26 on all four starts. When you consider that he also finished 11th in this event last season, and that he ranks 5th for SG: Around-the-green in the last three months, he really is an obvious each-way selection.
The Long-shot: Danny Willett @ 110/1 with bet365
I cannot believe the price on offer for Danny Willett this week. The Englishman arrives having just recently won the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on the European Tour, and has since followed up with a couple of respectable performances at the Shriners and World Wide Technologies Championship.
To further increase his value, Willett ranks 1st for SG: Around-the-green in the last 30 days – equivalent to his last ten rounds of golf. This isn’t a temporary peak either, as he also ranks 7th for the same measure over the last six months. In my opinion, you will not get a better value three-figure price this week.
For more prices, visit bet365.