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The Houston Open has traditionally been held the week before the US Masters and it finds itself in the same slot once more despite both events moving to November. The theory was that the set-up would in some way mimic Augusta National, encouraging some of the better players to come to Texas and hone their games for the big Georgia test. However, this week’s venue – Memorial Park Golf Course – isn’t really designed to do the same and, what’s more, it’s a brand new venue for the PGA Tour. There has been some confusion over par but we finally know it’s going to be a par 70 measuring 7,432 yards. There are five par 3s and three par 5s. Some insight has been provided during this week’s player conferences. Brooks Koepka, who had a hand in the design, said: “I think it's a very tough golf course. You know, with the rough being the way it is, you've got to put the ball in the fairway and then it's a second-shot golf course. You really have to putt a good strike on the ball, being able to spin it, be good with your long irons, there's quite a few long holes.” “At the same time it makes it quite fun if you do miss the green because you have so many options. You could putt it, you could bump-and-run it, you could flop it. It really gives the player a lot of options where I feel like you're never quite out of it “I know this golf course is quite difficult. It's quite long. You'll see some high numbers especially if the wind gets up, it kind of resembles a little bit of a U.S. Open I think some people would say, which I feel like I've done pretty good at.” Dustin Johnson adds: “You've got to be on your game. I think it's going to play fairly difficult. It's a long golf course, you hit a lot of mid to long irons.” DJ heads the betting at 15/2 ahead of 16/1 Tyrrell Hatton. Angles to consider 1/ Strokes Gained: Approach Koepka’s comments that it’s a second-shot course suggest approach shots will be vital for success on this lengthy par 70. 2/ Texas form Although it’s a new course, we’re in Texas so that throws up some familiar traits. One obvious one is that we’re on Bermuda grass everywhere this week. Another is the wind that so often prevails in the Lone Star State. 3/ Bogey Avoidance If this plays as tough as some of the top players suggest in their press conferences, it’s important to keep those bogeys off the card. Make pars and head to the next hole. Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected. Doc Redman Redman has been in excellent form in recent months with a trio of top-four finishes. The latest came in Bermuda last week (on bermuda greens). In terms of some of the above angles, he ranks 21st this season in Strokes Gained: Approach and fourth in Bogey Avoidance. A tied 13th in this event last year bodes well and he can step up and challenge for the title. Brooks Koepka It could be a smart move to add in the man who gave his expert advice to course designer Tom Doak. Koepka, a double US Open winner, who knows how to thrive on a tough par 70, has been in the top 14 for SG: Approach in three of his last four events. He also owns a bunch of top Texas form. Last six starts in the Lone Star State: 32-4-2-50-2-2. James Hahn Hahn arrives in Texas on the back of a trio of top 10s – Safeway Open, Corales Puntacana and Shriners. He ranked third for SG: Approach in Las Vegas last time and ranks 9th for the season in Bogey Avoidance. He’s made six of his last eight cuts in Texas, the best of those a top three at the Byron Nelson. Tips 1-2; +0.75pts 1pt e.w. Doc Redman at 40/1 (Betfair, Boylesports, William Hill 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) 61st 1.25pts e.w. Brooks Koepka at 22/1 (William Hill 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) 5th 0.75pts e.w. James Hahn at 66/1 (Boylesports 1/5 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8) 50th
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