The Texas Children’s Houston Open is here, and while it may not be a Signature Event, don’t be too quick to dismiss it. With the first major of the season just around the corner, Memorial Park Golf Course is the perfect testing ground before the world’s best take on Augusta National. And guess what? Some of the biggest names in golf are here.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and No. 2 Rory McIlroy are the top most players, taking on a stacked 156-player field on this challenging 7,475-yard, par-70 course. They’re not alone either—11 of the top 30 players in the world are here, all eyeing that $1.7 million winner’s share from the $9.5 million purse.
So, will one of the favorites dominate, or are we in for a surprise champion? It remains to be seen.
5. Wyndham Clark
Wyndham Clark hasn’t tasted victory since the 2024 Pebble Beach Pro-Am, and to be honest, this season hasn’t exactly been his best. The 2023 U.S. Open champ was on fire around this time last year, coming off back-to-back runner-up finishes at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and The PLAYERS. But this year? Not so much. He’s missed a cut, had to withdraw from The Players, and out of seven starts, he’s only cracked the top 25 three times.
That said, Clark isn’t the type to just fade into the background. He’s hungry for a breakthrough, and with Texas being a course where he finished T31 last year, he’ll be looking to turn things around. A strong performance here could be exactly what he needs to build momentum before heading into the Masters.
4. Jason Day
Jason Day may not have won on the PGA Tour since 2023, but if his recent form is anything to go by, he’s not far from changing that. Sure, he missed the cut in Texas last year, but this time around, he’s coming in with a clear goal in mind.
So far, he’s had some solid performances in 2024—a T3 at The American Express and a T8 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. In fact, he was right in the mix at Bay Hill before a wayward fairway shot on the 16th found the water, leading to a double bogey and killing his chances as Russell Henley went on to take the win.
But this week, Day is coming in with full force, ready to fight his way back into the winner’s circle. If he can tighten up his game and push just a little harder, don’t be surprised to see his name at the top of the leaderboard.
3. Tony Finau
Tony Finau knows his way around the Houston Open. Back in 2022, when the event was played in November, he dominated the field with a four-shot win over Tyson Alexander. Since then, he’s only added one more PGA Tour title at the 2023 Mexico Open. So, he’s hungry for more. Last year, Finau came close again, finishing T2 in Houston. With that kind of track record, there’s every reason to believe he could turn it into his seventh PGA Tour win this time around.
His season so far has been a bit of a rollercoaster. He’s had some strong moments, like a T5 at the Genesis Invitational, but three missed cuts have made consistency a challenge. Still, given his track record in Texas, this could be the perfect place for him to get back on track and chase win number seven.
4. Rory McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is on fire this season, doing something he’s never done before—winning two PGA Tour titles before the Masters. He started the season with a win at AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and followed it up with a big victory at TPC Sawgrass. And with the way he’s playing, a third win before the Masters isn’t out of the question.
He’s only played four events so far, but apart from those two wins, he’s still been solid—finishing T17 at the Genesis Invitational and T15 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Given his current form, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him making another serious run for the trophy this week.
5. Scottie Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler was unstoppable in 2024, stacking up seven wins on the Tour and proving why he’s the best in the world. But then came Christmas and an unexpected kitchen mishap. While making ravioli, he accidentally punctured his palm, delaying the start of his season. When he finally teed it up, everyone was expecting him to pick up right where he left off, but so far, the magic hasn’t fully returned.
Five events in, and he’s still chasing his first win of the year. He’s had some solid finishes—two top 10s and three top 25s—but fans are waiting for that big moment when he reminds everyone why he’s World No. 1.
Now, with the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he’s got the perfect chance. He came close last year with a T2 finish, and if he wants to roll into the Masters with momentum, why not do it with a trophy in hand?
Who’s your pick to win this week? Let us know your predictions in the comments!
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