Golf Betting Picks for the Houston Open: New Players, Surprises, and Wildcards

The Houston Open saw a major shakeup when world‑number one Scottie Scheffler withdrew, instantly boosting the odds for all remaining players. A panel of betting experts—ranging from insiders to analysts—shared their picks for winners, first‑round leaders, and props.

Winners & Top Contenders

• Marco Penge – Best recent driving stats over the last six months.
• Brooks Koepka – Back in form after a strong run of top‑20 finishes.
• Jake Knapp – Powerful drives and solid putting; a bright possibility if he stays healthy after a recent withdrawal.

Long‑Shot Opportunities

• Tony Finau – Former Houston champion; driving accuracy dipped, but the course’s forgiving layout could favor him.
• Alejandro Tosti – Strong driver with potential for a surprise run.
• Sudarshan Yellamaraju – Excellent putting; could translate into a competitive performance.

First‑Round Leaders

• Chris Gotterup – Known for fast first‑round scores.
• Jesper Svensson – Recently finished T5 in Puerto Rico.
• Aldrich Potgieter – Impressive driving distance.
• Ryan Fox – Solid Thursday performance.

Prop Bets

Score Predictions

The panel projects a highly competitive tournament with final scores ranging from –18 to –15.