The Power Fade: 2025 Texas Children's Houston Open
The Approach for Key fades at the 2025 Texas Children's Houston Open
What’s going on TJ Nation! Ann Arbor's Own Good Ol' AK Allen Klutts here bringing you another edition of the Power Fade: The Fades 8K and Above You Need to Smash Your DraftKings GPP's!
With the Florida Swing now in our rearview mirror, the PGA TOUR heads to Lone Star State for two weeks.
Memorial Park Golf Club in Houston, a 7,470 yard Par 70 is our host this week. A rare municipal course on the PGA TOUR, we see a field featuring both the World Number One Scottie Scheffler, and the man who is playing like the "Best in the World" Rory McIlroy.
When it comes to golf course itself. Don't let it's municipal status fool you, this course has teeth. If the wind picks up we can see players struggling to finish the week double digits under par. Historically we have seen winners at Memorial Park finish around -11 to -13.
Iron play and ball striking will be crucial this week, and the ability to avoid the big number will be tested should you miss the green.
With a successful week last week for the PF: (Zalatoris T-47, Burns MC) let's see who will be ejecting in Space City. Bring on the Power Fade for the Texas Children's Hospital Open!
JJ Spaun ($9,900)
Our first Power Fade of the week suffered a heartbreaking playoff loss to Rory McIlroy the last time we saw him. This man is playing, but he is in "Big Boy" territory now that he is $9,900 on DraftKings. JJ Spaun makes his debut in the Power Fade this week, which is a name I'd never thought we say at this price point.
Why The Fade Works:
JJ Spaun seems like a really nice guy. But that performance in the playoff at THE PLAYERS was as putrid as it gets. With everyone just seeing him put up a nice second place finish, ownership should follow. This would hold especially true if you fade the top of board.
From the stats perspective, Spaun isn't as great of a play as you may think. JJ ranks 74th in approach from 150-200 yards. That's fine and dandy when he is in his mid to low 7's home, but at $9,900 he isn't talented enough to justify that low of a ranking.
With only 2 Par 5's at Memorial Park, you have to be able to eat and JJ misses the meal with that one. Spaun ranks 71st in Par 5 Scoring this week. Putting has also not been a friend to Spaun as he ranks 80th in the field.
Roster construction will ultimately be the enemy of JJ Spaun this week. With such a distinct gap between the top 2 and the rest of the field, the balanced build should be popular. One would have to think that a JJ/Mike Kim start would be popular. I think we can fade here and get better value up the board. Start your lineups with Scottie or Rory fam, enough said.
Stephan Jaeger ($8,800)
Our second Power Fade of the week is our defending champion. Stephen Jaeger makes his PF debut this week, coming to us at $8,800.
Why The Fade Works:
Jaeger looked great last week out of the gate, but then a classic case of Stephen Jaeger hit and he tumbled down the leaderboard.
When it comes to the stats, Jaeger isn't exactly moving the needle. Our favorite German ranks 94th in SG Approach 150-200 yards. Furthermore he also ranks 101st in Bogey Avoidance.
Jaeger's Par 5 scoring leaves less to be desired as well. Ranking 129th in Par 5 scoring is mind boggling, and if he plays to this ranking he will not find success like he did last year.
That's it folks for this week's edition of the Power Fade! We will return to you next week we head to San Antonio and our last stop before Magnolia Lane. TPC San Antonio and the Valero Texas Open incoming!
Follow me on X @AllenKlutts and on Instagram @Allen_Klutts906
Until Next Time.... Be Bold, Be Brave, and Let's Ride the Power Fade!
"Roster construction will ultimately be the enemy of JJ Spaun this week. With such a distinct gap between the top 2 and the rest of the field, the balanced build should be popular. One would have to think that a JJ/Mike Kim start would be popular. I think we can fade here and get better value up the board. Start your lineups with Scottie or Rory fam, enough said."
— AK
Meet the Author:
Allen Klutts
A long time Tour Junkies fan and Nut Hut Member, Allen has always been an enthusiastic PGA DFS player and is looking to bring that passion to his writing. A frequent participant on the Wednesday Night Live Stage Chat, who DB once compared to Norm from the TV show "Cheers" for always kicking off the live stage segment, Allen lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife and two year old son.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and commentary in this post belong to its author and do not necessarily represent the Tour Junkies as a whole.