AFTER a week off to recharge the batteries, the Scottie Scheffler juggernaut is ready to rumble again, as the world No 1 aims to make it three wins in a row at the Houston Open.
After his impressive victories at the Arnold Palmer and the Players, Scheffler - born in New Jersey, but raised in Texas - makes the short journey from his home in Dallas to tackle one of the events he dearly wants on his CV.
Apart from a victory in the now-defunct World Match Play two years ago - 12 months after finishing runner-up - Scheffler does not have a stellar record in Texas tournaments.
Playing in front of home fans clearly brings added expectation. And it looked like the pressure was getting to him as he finished second here in 2021, and tied ninth a year later.
So is this the week to take him on? Maybe, especially as his thoughts are bound to be straying towards a tilt at a second Masters triumph in a couple of weeks time.
And as he is almost unbackable at just 11-4, the value definitely lies elsewhere.
How to bet on golf
Here are five easy steps for beginners.
1. Choose Your Favourite Sportsbook – there are plenty to choose from and most have their own app or mobile site.
2. Make a Deposit – each sportsbook will walk you through how to connect your bank account to their system including providing a list of all the safeguards they have set up to ensure the safety of your transactions.
3. Claim Your Bonuses – most sportsbooks offers bonuses to first time bettors in the form of free bets.
4. Place Your Bet – now it’s time to navigate through your sportsbook’s odds where they will offer a variety of options including outright winners, or top finishing positions, such as top 10 or 20, or even to make the cut. For the event this week each way odds are generally paid on the top eight players.
5. Collect Your Winnings – If you're successful you will be able to withdraw your winnings once the bet is complete. Some bookmakers offer cashout options on certain bets as well, which is worth keeping an eye on.
Where to find the best odds for the golf?
Lots of bookmakers have different options for betting on the golf this week, including competitive odds and different place markets.
We like the markets on bet365, including the price boosts on offer pre-event.
The Houston Open betting tips
US Open champion Wyndham Clark was runner-up to Scheffler at Bay Hill and Sawgrass - where he did us a big favour in the each way market at 50-1.
Sadly, those ridiculous odds are no longer on offer for a player who has climbed to a career high fourth in the world rankings. But his 12-1 quote just about makes him a viable each way prospect again this week.
Taking on Scheffler seems to bring out the best in him. I expect Clark to continue on the upward trajectory this year - and to add another Major title to that US Open triumph last June.
A home-grown Texan, Will Zalatoris, also looks tempting at 20-1. But his form took a hit with his missed cut at Sawgrass, after two top five finishes in big events, so I’m going to pass this time.
But I’m going to keep faith with Jason Day, despite so-so efforts at Bay Hill and Sawgrass, where he finished in the mid-30s on both occasions.
His two top tens before that suggested another win was not far off, and the field here is nowhere near as deep as it was in his last two starts.
He has played well in all three Houston appearances, with a share of seventh ion 2020. A repeat of that would offer a decent each way return at 22-1, but he is more than capable of improving on it.
The other player who stands out near the top of the market is Alex Noren, at 35-1. He needs a big week to climb back into the world’s top fifty and book his ticket to Augusta next month.
The Swede was fourth the last time the Houston Open took place two years ago - it skipped a year in 2023 because of a reshuffle in the PGA Tour schedule - and good efforts at Palm Beaches and Sawgrass suggest he is running into form.
Stephan Jaeger also showed a liking for this course in 2022 with a top ten finish, and I like his chances at 50-1.
The US-based German is a much better player now. And with a couple of third place finishes already in the bank this year, he looks to be still improving.
Joel Dahmen was a disappointment at Copperhead last week. But he has cracked the top ten in each of his last two visits to Houston, so no problem there. At 80-1, he could recoup last week’s losses.
Power hitter Cameron Champ continues to hint at a return to better things, so 110-1 could be on the generous side.
And at 250-1, Nick Dunlap could be worth a small interest. After bagging the American Express title as an amateur in January he has struggled in the pro ranks - but we know he has what it takes to win on the PGA Tour.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling website
