Comments: Expert Picks for Shell Houston Open
Since 1922, Houston has served as an annual stop for the PGA Tour. The event has endured various changes in sponsor support and various host venues, but one thing has remained true throughout: the fans of Texas have come out and supported the professional golfers for decades, and more than a few of the game's elite enjoy the stop. Reading the list of previous winners reflects the game's history. Arnold Palmer was a regular winner in Houston while many others – including Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Gary Player (including a 1978 win), Chi Chi Rodriguez, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson (including a 1946 win), and more – have been squarely in the competition for oversized checks. The list of more recent champions – including Payne Stewart, David Duval, Stuart Appleby, Robert Allenby, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh (touting multiple wins in Houston), Adam Scott, Paul Casey, and Anthony Kim – is just as impressive. This year's host venue, the Redstone Golf Club, was built in 2003 specifically to serve as the home for this event. Built by Rees Jones with golfer David Toms serving as a consultant, Redstone was opened in 2005, serving as the longest course the Houston Open has ever seen (7,457 yards). Sixteen of the holes on the course border the adjacent Greens Bayou, and while the swamp serves as a unique and luscious backdrop to the action on the course, the professionals know this track is about sand. The bunker location and configuration of this course provides one of the more disturbing challenges faced by the long-hitting duffers on the Tour today. It takes well-placed work off the tee to stay in contention this week. Match that with distance and putting and you'll be in the hunt.
Golfers listed in this article:- Hunter Mahan
- Phil Mickelson
- Matt Kuchar
- Lee Westwood
- Ernie Els
- Robert Allenby
- Francesco Molinari
- Charl Schwartzel
- Anthony Kim
- Fred Couples
- Steve Stricker
- Jason Day
- Brendon de Jonge
- Ben Crane
- Camilo Villegas
- Shaun Micheel
- Stuart Appleby
- Padraig Harrington
- Retief Goosen
- Scott Verplank
- D.J. Trahan
- Stephen Marino
- J.B. Holmes
- Jimmy Walker
- Justin Leonard
- Charles Howell III
- Ross Fisher
- Aaron Baddeley
- Ryan Palmer
- Y.E. Yang
Okay, Boys. I'm going with your picks this week at The Shell Houston Open.
A: Mickelson & Kuchar.
B: Allenby, Mahan & Schwartzel, Stricker.
C: Molinari & Kim.
Wish me luck! I need it. It has been tough picking this year.
Thanks for reading Slorke!
Myself... going in a more biased/personal direction. I'm a bit worried about Mickelson with his recent struggles and Stricker hasn't played much at all (understand the rankings are meant to be a bit objective, aimed at presenting value along with some personal insights concerning certain guys that need to be ranked a bit higher based on several factors).
My own roster:
Group A Bench: Matt Kuchar
Group A Starter: Lee Westwood (haven't used him yet, but don't feel GREAT about the pick)
Group B Bench (a): Charl Schwartzel
Group B Bench (b): Robert Allenby
Group B Starter (a): Hunter Mahan
Group B Starter (b): Shaun Micheel (LOVE his history on this track)
Group C Bench: Jason Day
Group C Starter: Fred Couples (because I love him and love his history on this track)
Good luck!
