Houston Open Preview: Scheffler and co set to fine-tune before Masters charge begins

Houston Open 2024 Preview

The PGA Tour heads to Texas for two weeks of pre-Masters action, starting in H-Town where the World No.1 headlines the field.

Texas Children’s Hospital is the title sponsor of this year’s Houston Open which moves back to its customary Spring positioning in the PGA Tour calendar after two consecutive November editions.

Tony Finau returns to defend in Houston where he secured the fifth of his six PGA Tour titles to date. The American’s four-stroke victory added Finau’s name to the illustrious group of Tiger Woods, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, and Vijay Singh who have won three times in a calendar year by three or more shots on the PGA Tour.

Fianu’s 72-hole total of 264 was a tournament and course record, finishing on 16-under par with a second round of 62 causing too much damage for the chasing pack.

“I’ve always had belief, but confidence when you win is contagious. I’m starting to put together a full-package game,” said Finau who moved to No.12 in the world following his victory.

Where is the Houston Open played?

The Memorial Park Golf Course will host the Houston Open for the fourth time in a row. The par-70, 7,435-yard municipal course had a scoring average of 70.556 in 2023, making it the 11th toughest course on the PGA circuit just behind Bay Hill.

The original John Bredemus-design parkland course was reworked in 2019 by Tom Doak with the number of bunkers reduced from 54 to 20 on the advice of Brooks Koepka.

Who is in the field for the Houston Open?

Six of the world’s top 30 head to Houston to take their place in the 144-player field. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler is the headline act, supported by defending champion Tony Finau and 2024’s Pebble Beach winner Wyndham Clark.

Sahith Theegala, Will Zalortis, and Jason Day round off the six top-ranked players in the field, also featuring Padraig Harrington, fresh off the back of his victory at the Hoag Classic Newport Beach on the PGA Champions Tour.

The full field can be found here.

Who will win the Houston Open?

At just 3/1 before the off, Scottie Scheffler is the Lone Star among the bookmakers as the strokes-gained leader bids to make it three wins on the bounce in his state of residence.

On route to victory last time around, Tony Finau ranked first for driving accuracy off the tee and also topped the GIR stats. With no credible angles to hang your hat on, performance on the greens will likely have a big say in the outcome come Sunday afternoon. And if Scheffler can keep the momentum rolling with his new mallet putter, it will take a special performance to topple him.

Selected odds (before the start of round 2):

Scottie Scheffler 6/5

Taylor Moore 11/1

Mackenzie Hughes 16/1

Beau Hossler 22/1

Aaron Rai 22/1

Wyndham Clark 33/1

Patrick Rodgers 33/1

Tony Finau 35/1

Sahith Theegala 40/1

How much will the winner receive at the Houston Open?

The field in Houston will compete for a cut of the $9.1 million purse with the winner set to receive $1,638,000 and 500 FedExCup points.

How to watch the Houston Open

UK viewers can catch all the action on Sky Sports Golf.

All times GMT

Saturday, March 30: Sky Sports Golf, 15.00

Sunday, March 31: Sky Sports Golf, 16.00

US viewers can catch all the action on Golf Channel.

All times EDT

Saturday, March 30: The Golf Channel, 12.00

Sunday, March 31: The Golf Channel, 12.00

Houston Open: Tee Times

Tee times and groupings for rounds 3 & 4 can be found here once made available.

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About the author

Ross Tugwood

Senior Digital Writer

Ross Tugwood is a golf equipment writer for todays-golfer.com, specializing in data, analytics, science, and innovation.

Ross is passionate about optimizing sports performance and has a decade of experience working with professional athletes and coaches for British Athletics, the UK Sports Institute, and Team GB.

He has post-graduate degrees in Performance Analysis and Sports Journalism, enabling him to critically analyze and review the latest golf equipment and technology to help you make better-informed buying decisions.