Blog#321THO Texas Children’s Houston Open

Blog#321THO

Texas Children’s Houston Open

Memorial Park GC Par 70

March 26-29 2026

Purse $9.9M +400K 4%

HISTORY

Event started in 1946 Byron Nelson defeated Ben Hogan by 2 strokes and won $2,000.

It was changed to a Fall event from 2019 until 2024 when it replaced the Match Pay event

Played in Austin TX. Johnson Wagner who switched from Golf Channel to NBC this year

Won in 2008 and other winners include Phil Mickelson, VJ Singh 3 times, Payne Stewart 1995,

Gary Player 1978, Arnold Palmer 2 times, but not Jack or Tiger.

FAVORITES Scottie Scheffler was 3.5/1 but has withdrawn. It will be interesting,

1 Min Woo Lee 13/1 Last year beat Scheffler by 1 after blowing a 5 stroke lead with 5 to play.

2 Chris Gotterup 18/1 If his game is on he will win and he is my pick to win.

3 Jake Knapp 20/1 Has had a good year, but I don’t think he should be picked this high.

4 Sam Burns 22/1 In 2026 has missed 3 of 5 cuts but finished 6th at PB & 13 at Players.

4 Brooks Koepka 22/1 Has finished in top 20 last 3 tournaments, game keeps getting better.

6 Marco Penge 30/1 Had a good tournament last week, 3 sub par RDs and par on 4th.

7 Nicolai Hojgaard 33/1 Three RDs in 70’s let week, no chance.

8 Rickie Fowler 33/1 He has been playing well and I would love to see him win, but no!

9 Michael Thorbjprnsen 35/1 At The Players 2nd place after RD 3, then shoots 77 in RD4 22nd.

10 Kurt Kitgayama 35/1 Missed cut at Players but played well another 4, #2 at Genesis.

LONG SHOTS With Scottie withdrawing, I am picking Chris Gotterup, other 9 have all played well but have not shown ability to win. If not Gotterup, I think a Long Shot will win.

Jordan Smith 70/1 Not well known but had a great final RD last week.

Harry Hall 40/1 In 2026 top 25 at PB & AP but missed cut at Players & WM.

Adam Scott 45/1 Has made cuts in all 5 tournaments and finished Genesis #4 2 behind.

Pierceson Coody 65/1 Don’t know if he can put 4 RDs together yet but has played well.

SJ Im 80/1 Laid an egg on the front 9 last week but 0 bogies 2 birdies on his last 8 holes.

Stephen Jaeger 80/1 Tied for 1st at Players 1st RD but finished 62, good run at Valspar 7th.

Aldrich Potgieter 100/1 Missed 3 cuts out of 5 and a real long shot.

COMMENTARY

Another tournament with a shaky future, but Houston may be a city that PGA new look wants to be in. It has been a stop on the tour since 1946 and their weather is conducive for such a venue. TV ratings should be week completing with the Sweet 16 and a limited field. However the 2026 schedule has 33 events between the Sony (Jan 15/18) and the Tour Championship (Aug 27/30. This is the window that current CEO Brian Rolapp has. He wants all top players to play in approximately 21 tournaments which include 4 majors, The Players and 16 Signature events (21). What happens to the other 12? Will the top 50 or 100 players accept being required to play in 21 tournaments? My answer is no especially someone like Rory McIlroy who likes to play in about 5 DP World Tour events.