Texas Children’s Houston Open Preview and Picks

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🏌️‍♂️ Houston Showdown

The Texas Children’s Houston Open returns to Memorial Park with its strongest field in recent memory, boasting 51 of the top 100 players in the Official World Golf Ranking and a worthy 20 inside the top 50. Leading the charge is world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, teeing it up in his home state, joined by Rory McIlroy, who also headlines a field rich with firepower. Other top-tier names include Wyndham Clark, Sahith Theegala, Sungjae Im, and Tony Finau—who claimed victory here in 2023. That’s a noticeable uptick in star power compared to last year, which featured just 10 players inside the top 50. Add in the likes of Jason Day, J.J. Spaun, and defending champion Stephan Jaeger, and this week’s tournament promises to be more than just a pit stop on the spring schedule—it’s shaping up as a pivotal showdown.

From a FedExCup perspective, the tournament is equally compelling, with 11 of the top 25 players in the current standings making the trip to Houston. Rory McIlroy, who tops that list, is joined by consistent performers like Thomas Detry, Nick Taylor, and Maverick McNealy, all of whom have been trending upward this season. In total, three past champions—Jaeger, Finau, and Lanto Griffin—bring some course-specific pedigree to a tournament that’s become a proving ground for both breakout talent and established stars. For fantasy players and bettors alike, tools like our performance charts and five-year event averages will be key in spotting sleepers and form players at Memorial Park, a track that has historically rewarded precision over power.

📊 Data-Driven Insights for Fantasy & Betting

If you’re serious about making the best picks this week, our GolfStats tools have you covered.

• Our Performance Chart ranks players by their average finish of all players at the Houston Open, helping you identify those who consistently contend.

• Our GolfStats Custom Formula highlights the best performers at this event over the last five years, factoring in course history and key stats.

• Our Sortable 8-Year Glance lets you track trends, breakout performances, and potential sleepers at the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

These tools are invaluable whether you’re betting, setting a DFS lineup, or simply looking for an edge in your fantasy league. Check out the full blog post for DK fantasy advice.

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⛳ A Closer Look at Memorial Park

Memorial Park Golf Course has a long-standing connection to professional golf in Houston, originally hosting the Houston Open back in the 1940s. After a decades-long absence from the PGA Tour rotation, the course was reintroduced in 2020 with a complete redesign by acclaimed architect Tom Doak, in consultation with Brooks Koepka. The result is a bold reimagining of a municipal course into a true championship-caliber venue—tough, fair, and designed with spectators in mind. Set in the heart of Houston, the track blends classic shot values with a modern challenge, becoming a welcomed stop in the spring swing.

Course Information

• Course: Memorial Park Golf Course

• Location: Houston, Texas

• Designer: Tom Doak (2020 redesign, with Brooks Koepka as consultant)

• Par: 70

• Yardage: 7,412 yards

• Purse: $9.5 million

• Winner’s Share: $1,710,000

• Past Champions at Memorial Park: Stephan Jaeger (2024), Tony Finau (2023), Jason Kokrak (2022), Carlos Ortiz (2021)

What makes Memorial Park so intriguing is its resistance to low scoring. With only two par-5s and a collection of long, demanding par-4s, players are tested on every hole. The course doesn’t rely on flashy hazards or gimmicks—instead, it challenges with firm, fast greens, thick rough, and subtle slopes that punish imprecise play. The key metrics here are strokes gained putting, along with proximity. Big names can falter if their short game isn’t sharp, and past winners have often excelled at staying out of trouble rather than overpowering the layout. For fantasy managers and DFS players, this is a week to lean on well-rounded ball-strikers, not just bombers.

 Key Stats for Success at Memorial Park

Memorial Park is a rare gem on the PGA Tour schedule—a true municipal course open to the public and accessible to locals for as little as $30. That affordability hasn’t compromised the challenge. The course, once a nine-holer with sand greens, was transformed in 2020 by architect Tom Doak and Houston Astros owner Jim Crane into a world-class test. With only 20 bunkers, firm and fast greens, and a finish packed with drama, Memorial Park has proven it can hold its own with the Tour’s toughest venues. It now ranks consistently among the top 15 hardest courses each season.

Let’s take a look at vital stats that are important for those playing at Memorial Park. This is based on the course’s most important metrics, data from the 2024 Houston Open, and current season stats for players in the field. We combine their ranking across four categories to identify the best fits.

After analyzing past results, player statistics, and course trends, these are the four key stats that will determine success at this year’s Texas Children’s Houston Open:

Strokes Gained Putting – Memorial Park’s firm, contoured greens may not be flashy, but they’re some of the trickiest on Tour. While the course doesn't feature heavy bunkering or water on every hole, the putting surfaces demand touch and confidence. Each of the last four champions—Jaeger, Finau, Kokrak, and Ortiz—ranked inside the top five in Strokes Gained Putting for the week, despite not being elite putters by reputation. Jaeger gained 1.599 strokes per round on the greens last year, and Finau picked up nearly eight strokes in 2023. Success at Memorial Park starts—and often ends—on the putting surfaces.

Proximity to the Hole – The greens at Memorial Park are large (averaging 7,000 square feet), so simply hitting them won’t be enough. Players who can get their approach shots closer will generate the few quality birdie looks available. Despite solid greens-in-regulation numbers, the field tends to struggle with proximity. In 2023, the average approach left players over 40 feet from the hole, making proximity a key separator. When Finau won in 2023, he ranked 9th in proximity, averaging just over 36 feet. It’s one of the most underrated stats of the week.

Par Breakers (Birdie or Better Percentage) – With just two par 5s and few easy holes, Memorial Park makes it tough to go low. But players still need to take advantage of limited scoring chances to contend. Over the past four editions, every champion ranked in the top 10 in total birdies made. In 2023, Finau led the field in birdies and topped the Par Breakers list, playing over 30% of his holes under par. Jaeger wasn’t far behind last year, playing 26% of his holes under par despite no eagles. Being opportunistic is critical.

Par 5 Scoring – Memorial Park’s two par 5s are among the most challenging on Tour. In most events, players feast on these holes, but here, they’re a grind. Over the last four years, the par 5s have ranked as some of the hardest in scoring average on the PGA Tour, often even tougher than some major championship setups. Yet, the winners still made their mark on them. Each of the last four champions played the par 5s in at least 6-under or better for the week. Players who can separate themselves on these few scoring holes have a massive edge.

Top Picks and Sleepers

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