Houston Open 2020 | PGA Tour
Let’s get you set to see some green screens on DraftKings this weekend. The penultimate week. Just days away. It is almost time. The Masters is near! But first, the Vivint Houston Open. One last chance to fine tune as the PGA Tour heads to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas.
What's up golf addicts! Friend of the podcast, AC here, checking in here week to week to provide a quick recap of the Tour Junkies Podcast for the week. I won't cover all of the picks and insight (you need to listen to the show), but I'll give you a few.
It would appear not many were on him last week but sharp-dressing, buff-looking, 48-year old, Brian Gay brought longshot SZN back in a big way cashing as large as 500-1 tickets at the Bermuda Championship last weekend. Many were on Wyndham Clark who also would have lit the longshot fuse but came up just short on the first playoff hole.
If you missed the podcast this week do yourself a favor and have a listen as it took a “wild leap” in an off-railed direction. But let’s just say hopefully with his new winnings and a trip to The Masters in 2021, Brian Gay can send his mother for customer service training or hire some kinder help.
Memorial Park Golf Course Preview
Memorial Park Golf Course will return as the venue for the 2020 Vivint Houston Open. The last time memorial Park hosted the event was way back in 1963 so course history is not going to help much this week. The course has gone through a recent redesign at the hands of Tom Doak and none other than Brooks Koepka.
At just over 7400 yards, this Par 70 features bermudagrass tee to green including some nasty bermudagrass rough and boasts five par 4s nearly 500 yards or longer. Mix in just three par 5s, one at over 620 yards, with five par 3s this week and this week will definitely favor the long hitters. With above average sized greens, wide fairways and only 19 bunkers on the course, the defense this week will not be very strong. Wind is not expected to be a factor and water is only in play on a few holes.
The field has been capped at 132 players with the typical T-65 cut sweat. Lanto Griffin is the defending champion but at a different course which may also interrupt the success of Russell Henley who has dominated this event in years past.
Some big names are joining them in the field looking for the last few competitive swings before Augusta. Dustin Johnson is back from Covid-19 isolation, as is Tony Finau. Brooks Koepka, Tyrell Hatton, Hideki Matsuyama, Adam Scott, and Jason Day will also see action come Thursday.
This week I’ll be taking a look at the longer hitters on tour so driving distance will find some weight in my models. Ball striking and tee to green will also be mixed in along with Fantasy National’s opps gained stat. Par 4 scoring, specifically long par 4s will play a role and Par 3 scoring as well. Around the green and putting on bermuda shouldn’t be ignored and finally we will want guys who make birdies and score points on DraftKings.
The Picks & Fades
Each week we will give you a play and a fade from each DraftKings salary range.
$9k+:
DB: Play - Viktor Hovland | Fade - Dustin Johnson
Pat: Play - Sergio Garcia | Fade - Adam Scott
AC: Play - Scottie Scheffler | Fade - Jason Day
$8k:
DB: Play - Brian Harman | Fade - Lanto Griffin
Pat: Play - Lanto Griffin | Fade - Stewart Cink
AC: Play - Cam Davis | Fade - Shane Lowry
$7k:
DB: Play - Matthew Jones | Fade - Phil Mickelson
Pat: Play - Denny McCarthy | Fade - Charlie Hoffman
AC: Play - Sam Burns | Fade - Brandt Snedeker
$6k:
DB: Play - Beau Hossler, John Huh, Charl Schwartzel
Pat: Play - Austin Cook, Tom Hoge, Robbie Shelton
AC: Play - Will Gordon, Johnny Vegas, Scott Stallings
OUT: KJ Choi, Ian Poulter, Harry Higgs (covid)
IN: David Hearn, Ollie Schniederjans, Kramer Hickok
IN via Mon Q: Erik Barnes, Brunson Burgoon, Sam Fidone, Isaiah Salinda
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