3 minutes Our resident golf Tipster gives his top 3 selections...
As the Houston Open tees off, all eyes are on Scottie Scheffler, who's at the brink of achieving a remarkable feat. Having made history at Sawgrass, securing a win here could complete an extraordinary hat-trick for Scheffler, an accomplishment that would undoubtedly elevate the anticipation and buzz around him as the Masters approaches.
However, we might wonder if this added spotlight is something Scheffler would desire. The pressure and expectations that accompany such achievements can be immense, and it raises the question of whether this is the ideal scenario for him on the eve of such a significant tournament.
Houston Open Betting Tips
Turning our attention to the betting landscape, the Houston Open presents a great mix of opportunities for punters. Here are our top three tips:
2pts e/w - Jason Day at 25/1
Day's performance at Bay Hill left him feeling unsatisfied with his long game, despite a promising start that placed him near the lead, ultimately finishing in 36th place. However, there were glimpses of improvement at Sawgrass, where a challenging triple-bogey on the final hole resulted in a 35th place finish. Remarkably, had he scored par on that last hole, he would have secured a top-20 spot. Excluding his showing at Torrey Pines, which is somewhat surprising given his history there, Day has consistently been in contention throughout his starts in 2024. Despite the challenges with his putting, he has managed to secure three top-10 finishes out of seven starts, indicating he's nearing his peak form once again.
Place a bet on Jason Day with 2pts each way at odds of 25/1. This bet includes 1/5 odds for the top 8 places, offering a mix of risk and reward that's hard to ignore.
1.5pts e/w - Keith Mitchell at 40/1
Mitchell's approach play stands out as particularly promising, marking a significant improvement that could propel him into the upper echelons of the sport, provided he adopts a more forgiving attitude towards his own mistakes.
This year, Mitchell has been at the forefront in strokes-gained approach on three occasions, a remarkable improvement for a golfer who has consistently excelled in driving but struggled with iron shots.
Mitchell, who has shown he can deliver impressive performances on the green, harbors a great deal of potential. Despite a challenging final round, he concluded the tournament as the top ball-striker, a testament to what could have been.
We consider Keith Mitchell as a strong contender, with a 1.5pts each-way bet at 40/1. This wager can be found at bookmakers like William Hill and 888sport, covering 1/5 odds for the first 8 positions, showcasing Mitchell's potential as a dark horse in the competition.
1pt e/w - Rico Hoey at 250/1
Like Mitchell, he suffered a chastening final round but before that Hoey sounded encouraged with where he is.
"I think everything's kind of coming together a little bit," he said. "I'm still getting my feet wet out here. I think it's being out here everything's so grand and just playing with the best of the best, I am just working hard and just trying to get better each and every day.
"Overall I think I'm doing everything pretty good, but I'm just one step at a time."
For those seeking a long shot with significant upside, Rico Hoey stands out with a 1pt each-way bet at a staggering 250/1, available across many UK betting sites, including Ladbrokes. This bet also caters to the top 8 places at 1/5 odds, representing a tasty proposition for bettors looking for a high-risk, high-reward option.