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College Basketball NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Free Plays – Sports Betting
Saturday:
Alabama vs Duke -7.5 O/U 174.5 – Prudential Center Newark NJ
- This is a must watch game. Alabama is the fastest playing team in all of basketball while Duke seems to be able to score on anyone.
- The big difference with Duke and BYU is the defense and rebounding. Duke has both of those, and that will cause problems for the Tide.
- In saying that, the Tide does not have a lot of weaknesses themselves. They have been quite consistent team this year. They beat Auburn on the road, while they should have beaten Tennessee. The Tide’s only real crutch was the Gators and a little bit against Auburn.
- I think that the pressure lies more on Duke here to win this game. Do I want to get in their way? Not really, but I also think that both teams can defend the three ball much better than their previous opponents.
- No way these teams shoot 50% + again from behind the arc. I like the first half under 82.5. It is too high based on what just happened recently.
- The fair spread on this game is probably closer to 6.5, but Alabama will be a lean unless this thing gets to 8 or more.
- First Half under 82.5 – 2 stars
Texas Tech vs Florida -6.5 O/U 157.5 – Chase Center San Francisco CA
- This is a tough handicap for a few different reasons. First is injuries. I thought that Chance McMillian would play vs Arkansas and he last minute could not do it due to oblique pain. Florida is also banged up with their star Center Alex Condon hurting his ankle.
- Condon came back in the game, but that doesn’t mean that it didn’t swell up overnight as Ankles tend to do.
- The Gators have some defensive matchup advantages over Texas Tech and they should be able to score over a shorter JT Toppin down low.
- A big problem with the Gators last game is that they kept turning the ball over. That doesn’t bode well when playing a strong offensive team like Texas Tech.
- A big problem with the Red Raiders is that they should have lost last game to Arkansas. The Hogs turned into delicious bacon and choked that game away.
- I think that Darion Williams will struggle to score down low as long as Condon is ok. Florida is filled with depth and they are relentless on the boards.
- I think that a play at -6.5 looks ok to me as long as long as McMillian doesn’t play. I assume he will be hampered even if he does. I just have to wait on Condon’s status.
- Lean Florida -6.5 and lean 1st half under
Sunday:
Tennessee vs Houston -3.5 O/U 123.5- Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis IN
- I watched that whole Purdue game on Friday, and Houston was mighty fortunate to be on the end of either biased or incompetent officiating. Multiple times the ball clearly went off out of bounce from the Cougars, and the zebras got it wrong.
- In saying that, there will once again be a huge home court advantage for the Vols being less than a 6 hour drive away from campus.
- Both defenses are lights out, but Tennessee is the better overall shooting team ranking 80th in effective FG% to 102nd for the Cougars.
- Both teams have the size to compete with each other. Both teams play very slow hence the low total.
- Another big outlier to me is strength of schedule. The Vols have played a much harder SEC schedule compared to Houston. They have seen teams like them before quite a few times. I think that the Vols cover this spread, and will get to the final four.
- Tennessee +3.5 – 2 stars
Michigan State vs Auburn -5 O/U 148.5 – State Farm Arena, Atlanta Georgia
- Sparty has been doing just enough in this tournament to get by, but I think that this is the point where the rubber meets the road.
- As good as Michigan State is at defense, Auburn is better. The Tigers can stop shots from all over the court.
- Michigan State struggles with stopping shots from Mid-range and near the rim.
- Another huge red flag for Sparty is that they struggle from downtown shooting the three. When Auburn puts the pedal to the medal, Michigan State will not be able to keep up. Lay the Points.
- Auburn -5 – 3 stars
Podcast 688 – 24 – 25 – NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Plays – Sports Betting
We have a great show for you today! Kiev O’Neil goes solo to bring us some ELITE 8 action! Plenty of free plays and leans! Should you have any questions for the podcast, or games that you want us to cap during our shows, please message us at Info@TheOddsBreakers.com. Have a wonderful week!
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Friday Free Play Video:
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College Basketball NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Free Plays – Sports Betting
The NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 is here, and the excitement is palpable! With powerhouse programs and one double digit seed still in the mix, this round promises thrilling matchups and unforgettable moments. There is also some good betting situations that I preview right here below:
Thursday:
BYU vs Alabama -5 O/U 175.5 – Prudential Center Newark NJ
- You have to love the 2 former Rutgers players facing off in Mawot Mag for BYU and Cliff Omoyuri.
- I think the luck will run out here for BYU. Alabama is the kind of team that can beat the Cougars at their own game of speed ball with rebounding.
- The big difference that the Tide have over what Wisconsin had is a huge inside presence that should be able to dominate BYU down low.
- The Cougars out-rebounded the Badgers 49 – 32 which was the main difference in the game.
- Do not think for a second that BYU will have the same advantages. Alabama has a great defense ranking 24th in the league while BYU’s ranks 65th. The Tide will have advantages from deep, mid range and near the ream. Lay the Points.
- Alabama -5 – 2 stars
Maryland vs Florida -6.5 O/U 157.5 – Chase Center San Francisco CA
- Both teams won very close games last weekend. Florida has been cold since the 1st half of their game against Norfolk State. Maryland got by on some end of the game heroics and a few good whistles.
- No need to toe-tap this one. The Gators are the better team here by 10 points. They should be able to clean up the boards as well as well as hit from everywhere. Maryland is inconsistent and they will not be able to catch up once a lead is established.
- Once the fouls kick in, the Terps will have no one to turn to off of the bench as this team isn’t deep.
- Florida is too big big for Maryland and too deep for Maryland.
- Lay the points
- Florida -6.5 – 2.5 stars
Arizona vs Duke -9.5 O/U – 153.5 – Prudential Center Newark NJ
- When is Duke going to have a bad game?
- These two tams faced off back in November in Tucson where the Blue Devils won with ease 69 – 55.
- I toyed with Duke last game and got burned. They are right now the best team in college basketball.
- Duke will have advantages shooting the three ball as well as mid range. Arizona is pretty good inside, but not good enough to stop Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach.
- I think that Arizona pushes the pace here enough to see a lot of points. It is a far cry from November where there was a ton of missed shots on 68 possessions.
- Duke hasn’t scored less than 80 points without Flagg since Mid February.
- Arizona hasn’t put up less than 76 points since March 1st.
- This total should be at least around 155 or so. Take the over.
- Over 153.5 – 2 stars
Arkansas vs Texas Tech -5.5 O/U 146.5 – Chase Center San Francisco CA
- The Hogs are playing some very inspired ball. They are very confusing lately as their supposed best players has been out a few weeks and and the team is even better. The mid range shot has been amazing for them over the past few games.
- The issue with Arkansas is not only their inconsistency, but also their lack of depth due to injuries.
- The hogs play solid defense at times, but they tend to allow a lot of threes to go in when teams are hitting them. Texas Tech shoots a lot of threes and they also will have an advantage near the rim and rebounding the ball.
- It feels like Tech could blow this team out, and it also feels like it could be a close game.
- Lean Texas Tech -5.5
Friday:
Ole Miss vs Michigan State -3.5 O/U 144.5 – State Farm Arena, Atlanta Georgia
- Sparty Fans travel well, but this is a lot closer to home for Ole Miss fans who are 332 miles from campus.
- According to the metrics, Michigan State ha the better defense ranking 5th on Haslametrics to 22nd for Ole mIss. The Rebels do have the better offense ranking 18th to Sparty at 21st.
- I do not see many advantages for Michigan State here minus close to the rim. If sparty is losing, they may not have the refs to rely on again in SEC country. They also do not shoot the three ball all that well which makes it harder to play catchup.
- I have this game closer to pickem.
- Lean Ole Miss +3.5 and lean 1st half under
Kentucky vs Tennessee -4.5 O/U 145.5 – Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis IN
- Lucas Oil Stadium is a lot closer for Kentucky fans at 183 miles away compared to 357 miles away from Knoxville.
- This might be the most competitive game of the round of 16.
- Kentucky beat the Vols twice this year and I think that they can do it again.
- According to the metrics, Tennessee has the much better defense with a similiar offense.
- Kentucky shot 50% from deep over their last two meetings. I think that Mark Pope just knows how to get his guys open against this Vols team.
- The Cat’s stats are not complete as Lamont Butler has missed about 9 regular season games. I think that he slows down the Vols from deep, Kentucky has the height to play with this team.
- Lastly, there is a coaching mismatch here as Mark Pope is better than Rick Barnes.
- Kentucky +4.5 – 2 stars
Michigan vs Auburn -9.5 O/U 152.5 – State Farm Arena, Atlanta Georgia
- This is a home game for the overall 1 seed Auburn being only 109 miles away from home.
- Michigan fans will have to travel, but it’s not like we haven’t seen them do this before.
- I have seen the Tigers go on some pretty fierce runs in the past. Michigan plays pretty fast, but their defense and rebounding is why they are here.
- The big problem with Michigan is that they turn the ball over at 19.6% of their possessions. Auburn is a good fast break team and the points can pile on. This mixed with home court advantage tells me Auburn could blow this team out.
- I am also worried some that the Tigers do not have any real matchup advantages over Michigan’s defense. Auburn has also been a bit sus over the past few weeks. My number is 8.
- Lean Michigan +9.5
Purdue vs Houston -8 O/U 132.5- Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis IN
- Purdue or Purdon’t? That is the question.
- This is CLEARLY a home game for Purdue only 65 miles away. I think we still see some Houston fans fans. This is also rough for Houston as Tennessee and Kentucky isn’t far away either.
- Being close to home might not matter so much when Houston has every single matchup advantage over Purdue minus three point shooting. Houston is the better rebounding team as well as the better offense.
- In saying all of this, I could see a very slow start to the game as Purdue will struggle against Houston’s swarming defense and extremely slow pace.
- Eventually, Purdue wears out and the spread might not be a factor when Houston closes it out.
- Lean 1st half under 62.5 – 1.5 stars
MLB 2025 Season Preview – Win Totals, Yearly Awards, Post-Season Bets
Its that time of year again. Real opening day is tomorrow and I’ve got a real quick rundown for ya of what I think will happen in MLB in 2025. Last year our win total bets went 7-2 from the start of the year so we will look to repeat that again. Here we go!!!
MLB KNaction Projected Standings
AL East
New York Yankees 88-74
Baltimore Orioles 86-76
Boston Red Sox 85-77
Tampa Bay Rays 81-81
Toronto Blue Jays 79-83
AL Central
Kansas City Royals 83-79
Detroit Tigers 82-80
Cleveland Guardians 82-80
Minnesota Twins 82-80
Chicago White Sox 58-104
AL West
Texas Rangers 86-76
Houston Astros 83-79
Seattle Mariners 83-79
Sacramento A’s 78-84
Los Angeles Angels 74-88
NL East
Atlanta Braves 92-70
New York Mets 90-72
Philadelphia Philles 89-73
Washington Nationals 71-91
Miami Marlins 69-93
NL Central
Cincinnati Reds 84-78
Chicago Cubs 84-78
Milwaukee Brewers 82-80
St. Louis Cardinals 75-87
Pittsburgh Pirates 74-88
NL West
Los Angeles Dodgers 97-65
Arizona Diamondbacks 88-74
San Diego Padres 81-81
San Francisco Giants 80-82
Colorado Rockies 67-95
Season Win Total Bets
Baltimore Orioles Under 88.5
Chicago White Sox Over 52.5
Houston Astros Under 86.5
Sacramento Athletics Over 72.5
Los Angeles Angels Over 71.5
Philadelphia Philles Under 91.5
Miami Marlins Over 62.5
Cincinnati Reds Over 78.5
Los Angeles Dodgers Under 103.5
San Diego Padres Under 85.5
Colorado Rockies Over 59.5
Player Awards – These are just a few I’m throwing some small bets at for fun
AL MVP – Bobby Witt +325
NL MVP – Juan Soto +575
AL Cy Young – Jacob Degrom +950
NL Cy Young – Chris Sale +1600
AL CBPOY – Liam Hendriks +2500
NL CBPOY – Matt McLain +750
Post Season Plays
I’m not usually too crazy about dropping money here as the odds usually aren’t great, but I don’t mind taking a couple flyers. This year I am playing for small amounts
Cincinnati Reds to win World Series +6000
Arizona Diamondbacks +3000
Any other questions? You can find me on Twitter @TheGreatKnoche and both here at TheOddsbreakers.com and at Razzball.com talking baseball all season long.
Good luck to everyone this season!
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Podcast 687 – 23 – 25 – With Brian Edwards – NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Plays – Sports Betting
We have a great show for you today! Brian Edwards @VegasBEdwards from @VegasInsider and @MajorWager is back to break down a HUGE and chalky weekend of basketball! First, Kiev recaps the weekend in a tournament that wasn’t part of the norm, yet was mainly predictable from a results perspective. Next, Brian comes on and the guys talk about conferences and how only four of them made the 3rd round. Then, Brian and Kiev discuss Florida/Duke with some thoughts on which team is currently the best. After that, the boys go game by game with some Free Plays and some leans. Then, the guys give out a few long shots that they like for some beer bet bangers. Finally, Kiev recaps our plays! Should you have any questions for the podcast, or games that you want us to cap during our shows, please message us at Info@TheOddsBreakers.com. Have a wonderful week!
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2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open Preview & Picks
The Texas Children’s Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course is the thirteenth event of the 2025 PGA TOUR season and kicks off the “Texas Swing.”
Let’s get into this week’s storylines…
Pre-Tournament Storylines:
Viktor Hovland Returns to the Winner’s Circle
Viktor Hovland secured his seventh PGA TOUR victory last week at the Valspar Championship, marking his first win since the 2023 PGA TOUR Championship. It’s been a challenging stretch for Hovland, who entered the event after missing the cut in each of his three previous starts this season.
Stephan Jaeger Looks to Defend His Title in Texas Shootout
Stephan Jaeger returns to Memorial Park this week, looking to defend his 2024 title, where he narrowly edged out Scottie Scheffler in a thrilling final round for his first PGA TOUR victory. Jaeger came close to securing his second TOUR win during the FedEx Cup Fall Swing, finishing as the runner-up at the inaugural Black Desert Championship. He’s been in strong form this season, with two top ten finishes, including a T3 finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii and a T6 finish at the Mexico Open.
Two-Horse Race in Texas
Much like the legendary Match of the Century between Seabiscuit and War Admiral, this week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open appears to be shaping up as a two-horse race between Scottie Scheffler, World No. 1, and Rory McIlroy, World No. 2. Both are the clear favorites heading into the event, with Scheffler listed at +330 and McIlroy at +700.
McIlroy has already notched two PGA TOUR victories this season, winning THE PLAYERS Championship and the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, while his best finish at this event was a T7 last year. Scheffler, meanwhile, has yet to claim a PGA TOUR win this season but boasts a stronger course history at Memorial Park, having finished runner-up in two of the last three editions of the tournament.
Tournament Information:
Social Media:
Course Information:
Course Architect:
Before last year’s tournament, the No. 17 green was moved 30 yards back, and two bunkers were added to the left side of the green. This year, a professional tee has been added to No. 16.
Comparable Courses:
- Quail Hallow – Wells Fargo Championship – RESULTS
- Colonial Country Club – Charles Schwab Challenge – RESULTS
- The Renaissance Club – Genesis Scottish Open – RESULTS
Comparable Location (Houston, Texas):
Designer Link (John Bredemus):
- Colonial Country Club – John Bredemus (1936) – Charles Schwab Challenge
Designer Link (Tom Doak):
Comparable Yardage (7,475 Yards):
Comparable Greens (TifEagle bermudagrass / Poa trivialis overseed .110”):
Comparable Average Green Size (7,000 sq. ft.):
TV Information (all times ET):
Weather:
Course/ Tournament History:
Memorial Park Golf Course, located in Houston, Texas, has a rich history dating back to 1912 when it was originally constructed as a nine-hole course for military personnel stationed at Camp Logan. In 1935, renowned golf course architect John Bredemus redesigned it into an 18-hole layout, which quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest municipal courses in the country. Memorial Park has hosted the Houston Open on several occasions, including a return to the PGA TOUR schedule in 2020 after a complete renovation led by Tom Doak, with consultation from Brooks Koepka. The redesign modernized the course while maintaining its original character, creating a challenging yet fair test for the world’s best golfers. Known for its strategic bunkering, large undulating greens, and demanding par-5s, Memorial Park continues to be a favorite stop on the PGA TOUR.
Previous Tournament Venues:
| Duration | Course | Location: |
| 2021-2022, 2024-Present | Memorial Park Golf Course | Houston, Texas |
| 2003-2020 | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Houston) | Houston, Texas |
| 1985-2002 | TPC at The Woodlands | Woodlands, Texas |
| 1975-1884 | Woodlands Country Club | Woodlands, Texas |
| 1973-1974 | Quail Valley Country Club | Missouri City, TX |
| 1972 | Westwood Country Club | Austin, Texas |
| 1966-1971 | Champions Golf Club | Houston, Texas |
| 1964-1965 | Sharpstown Country Club | Houston, Texas |
| 1951-1963 | Memorial Park Golf Course | Houston, Texas |
| 1950 | BraeBurn Country Club | Houston, Texas |
| 1949 | Pine Forest Country Club | Houston, Texas |
| 1947 | Memorial Park Golf Course | Houston, Texas |
| 1946 | River Oaks Country Club | Houston, Texas |
Previous Tournament Names:
Tournament Records:
- 18-Hole Record:
- 62, Ron Streck (Round 3, 1981 at Woodlands CC), Fred Funk (Round 3, 1992 at TPC Woodlands). Golf Club of Houston record: 63, Johnson Wagner (Round 1, 2008), Adam Scott (Round 1, 2008), Jimmy Walker (Roud 1, 2011), Phil Mickelson (Round 3, 2011), Scott Piercy (Round 1, 2015), Sung Kang (Round 2, 2017)
Course Records:
Course Guide/ Scorecard:
Originally crafted by John Bredemus in 1936, Memorial Park Golf Course features a Par 70 layout, comprising five Par 3s, ten Par 4s, and three Par 5s.
Memorial Park Golf Course poses a formidable challenge, ranking among the toughest courses on the Tour outside of the Majors. In the last three editions of the Texas Children’s Houston Open, the scoring average has remained over par. In 2024, only three holes (No. 5, No. 9, No. 10, & No. 12) boasted a scoring average under par, excluding the three Par 5s.
The course’s primary defense lies in its length and narrow fairways. Additionally, Memorial Park is highly susceptible to winds, posing a significant challenge for approach shots.
The five Par 3’s range between 155 yards and 237 yards. In the last edition of this event, all of the Par 3’s had a scoring average over par except for No. 9.
No. 7, 216 yards, Par 3: Hole 7 is a long Par 3 that is tucked up against the trees and ravine. Depending on where the pin is located, players can land a ball on the front or run one down the slope that splits the green into two tiers. The right side of this green is the safe and favorable side.
No. 15, 155 yards, Par 3: Welcome to the loudest hole in Texas. Don’t let the distance fool you. This short Par 3 has a difficult green to land on with not much area for a safe miss. With a false front on the right side, a creek short and left, and a very narrow green, this exciting hole will be a challenge for pros and amateurs alike.
There are ten Par 4’s at Memorial Park Golf Course with the majority of those holes ranging between 400 and 450 yards. No. 17 is the shortest listed at 405 yards with the longest being No. 14, playing 529 yards. In terms of scoring average, the toughest Par 4 on the course last year was No. 14 (+0.291).
No. 4, 490 yards, Par 4: Hole 4 features one of the most important tee shots at Memorial Park Golf Course. From the tee box, it looks like a dog leg left, however, the fairway bends back to the right as you approach the green, creating a very interesting look. When hitting your approach, be cautious of going long, as there is a creek that lines the back of the green.
No. 17, 405 yards, Par 4: One of the more unique looking holes out at Memorial Park Golf Course, the 17th hole is a short Par 4 that requires two precise shots to hit the green in regulation. From the back tees, the fairway takes on an “S” like shape around the retention pond while the green juts out into the water for a tough second shot. Ahead of last year’s tournament No. 17 green was moved 30
yards further back and two bunkers were added to the left of the green.
There are three Par 5s on the course, No. 3, No. 8, and No. 16. All of these holes had a scoring average under par in 2024. The easiest hole on the course last year was No. 3 with a scoring average of 4.476.
No. 8, 625 yards, Par 5: The longest Par 5 on the course, Hole 8 requires precise shots to maneuver the fairway and reach the green without any issues. The fairway starts with a dogleg right off the tee and then bends back left as you approach the green, bringing out-of-bounds areas into play. On the left edge of the green, a creek can come into play causing a player to favor the right side.
No. 16, 616 yards, Par 5: This long Par 5 is difficult to go for in two, but not impossible. With a long drive off the tee, the fairway has a downslope that players use to their advantage. But if the ball goes too far left, it can end up in the thick trees forcing a lay up. The green is protected by water on three of its four sides, and not much room behind for a bail-out shot. A professional tee was added to No. 16 since last year.
Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 15, 17
Key Statistics:
The Texas Children’s Houston Open takes place at Memorial Park Golf Course. Here are the key statistics to keep an eye on for this week’s event.
| Statistics | PGA Tour Average | Memorial Park Golf Course |
| Driving Distance (Yards) | 284.02 | 293.42 |
| Driving Accuracy | 62% | 55% |
| GIR Percentage | 66% | 63% |
| Avg GIR Prox to Hole (Feet) | 29.17 | 30.33 |
| Scrambling Percentage | 58% | 57% |
| Avg 3 Putts / Round | 0.55 | 0.50 |
Per DataGolf, this is the favored skillset at Memorial Park Golf Course.
- Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
- Success at Memorial Park Golf Course this week will largely depend on a player’s ability to position themselves effectively off the tee. While the course’s length highlights the importance of distance, accuracy is equally crucial. Over the past three editions of the Texas Children’s Houston Open, two of the last three winners have ranked 14th or better in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. The only exception was last year when Stephan Jaeger secured the win despite ranking 37th in this category.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Rico Hoey
- Rory McIlroy
- Taylor Pendrith
- Isaiah Salinda
- Scottie Scheffler
- Alex Smalley
- Keith Mitchell
- Taylor Moore
- Luke List
- Davis Thompson
- Strokes Gained: Approach
- Strong approach play has been a critical factor for success at the Texas Children’s Houston Open in recent years. In two of the past three editions, the tournament winner has ranked 9th or better in Strokes Gained: Approach. The only exception was last year when Stephan Jaeger claimed victory despite ranking 38th in this category.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Nick Taylor
- J.J. Spaun
- Scottie Scheffler
- Antoine Rozner
- Henrik Norlander
- Nicolai Højgaard
- Kevin Yu
- Joel Dahmen
- Matteo Manassero
- Joe Highsmith
- Strokes Gained: Around the Green
- Memorial Park Golf Course poses a significant challenge with its firm, elevated greens and tightly mown runoff areas, making it difficult for players to consistently hold the putting surfaces. This increases the likelihood of missed greens in regulation, placing a premium on short game performance. Over the past three editions of the Texas Children’s Houston Open, two of the three winners have ranked 29th or better in Strokes Gained: Around the Green. The only exception was Jason Kokrak in 2021, who ranked 67th in this category during his victory.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Aaron Baddeley
- Pater Malnati
- Michael Kim
- C.T. Pan
- Alex Smalley
- Si Woo Kim
- Min Woo Lee
- Matt Wallace
- Sungjae Im
- Davis Thompson
- Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass)
- The green complexes at Memorial Park Golf Course are Bermudagrass with Poa trivialis overseed .110”.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Taylor Montgomery
- Beau Hossler
- Braden Thornberry
- Vince Whaley
- Nico Echavarria
- Zach Johnson
- Jacob Bridgeman
- Davis Riley
- Jason Day
- Frankie Capan III
- Driving Distance Gained
- Listed at 7,475 Yards Memorial Park Golf Course is one of the longer courses players will face on Tour. We’ve bombers have an advantage at this course in the past and with the 16th and 17th hole being increased in the past two years, that should continue to hold true.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Aldrich Potgieter
- Chris Gotterup
- Min Woo Lee
- Kyle Westmoreland
- Tim Widing
- Alejandro Tosti
- Gary Woodland
- Jhonattan Vegas
- Michael Thorbjornsen
- Paul Waring
- Par 3 Scoring
- Memorial Park Golf Course presents a tough test with its five challenging par 3s, two of which measure over 215 yards.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Thorbjørn Olesen
- Seamus Power
- Chan Kim
- Nicolai Højgaard
- Michael Thorbjornsen
- J.J. Spaun
- Francesco Molinari
- Jacob Bridgeman
- Stephan Jaeger
- Ryo Hisatsune
- Par 4 Scoring: 400-450 Yards
- Four of the ten Par 4’s at Memorial Park Golf Course range between 400-450 Yards.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Gary Woodland
- Aaron Rai
- Scottie Scheffler
- Henrik Norlander
- Austin Eckroat
- Min Woo Lee
- Patrick Rodgers
- Chris Gotterup
- Sahith Theegala
- Carson Young
- Par 5 Scoring: 600-650 Yards
- Two of the three Par 5’s at Memorial Park Golf Course range between 600-650 Yards.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Rory McIlroy
- Beau Hossler
- Braden Thornberry
- Andrew Novak
- Vince Whaley
- Nick Hardy
- Trey Mullinax
- Jason Day
- Ryo Hisatsune
- Davis Thompson
- Bogey Avoidance
- Bogey avoidance is a critical factor at the Texas Children’s Houston Open due to the demanding nature of Memorial Park Golf Course. With a scoring average consistently above par over the past three editions, avoiding bogeys has proven to be essential for staying in contention. Players who can minimize mistakes and capitalize on scoring opportunities tend to fare better, as evidenced by the past three winners.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Michael Kim
- Scottie Scheffler
- Sam Ryder
- J.J. Spaun
- Alex Smalley
- Paul Peterson
- Ricky Castillo
- Danny Willett
- Trey Mullinax
- Nicolai Højgaard
- Scrambling Gained
- Memorial Park Golf Course presents a challenging test with its firm, elevated greens and closely mown runoff areas. These conditions make it difficult for players to hold the greens, leading to an increased likelihood of missed greens in regulation.
- Leaders in this category in the last 24 Rounds:
- Alex Smalley
- Michael Kim
- Will Chandler
- Beau Hossler
- Andrew Novak
- Zach Johnson
- Patrick Rodgers
- Paul Peterson
- Harris English
- Mac Meissner
- Proximity Gained: 200+ Yards
- Memorial Park Golf Course sees a significantly higher volume of approach shots from the 200+ yard range compared to the PGA Tour average.
- Leaders in Proximity Gained 200+ Yards in the last 24 Rounds:
- Erik van Rooyen
- Rikuya Hoshino
- Thorbjørn Olesen
- Mark Hubbard
- Max Greyserman
- Kris Ventura
- Kevin Roy
- Jackson Suber
- Ryan Gerard
- Hayden Buckley
- Comparable Courses and Event History
- The Data Golf Course History Tool suggests that past success at Memorial Park Golf Course has been a slight predictor of future performance in this tournament.
- Leaders in this category (Stokes Gained Total at Memorial Park Golf Course):
- Scottie Scheffler
- Tony Finau
- Mackenzie Hughes
- Aaron Rai
- Maverick McNealy
- Stephan Jaeger
- Mark Hubbard
- Davis Riley
- Joel Dahmen
- Jason Day
The Field:
The 2025 Texas Children’s Houston Open will feature a field of 156 players, with only four of the top 20 in the Official World Golf Ranking set to compete. However, the spotlight will be on World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, both of whom are teeing it up this week.
Basis of qualification for each entrant this week:
- Winner – U.S. Open
- Winner – PGA Championship
- Winner – THE PLAYERS Championship
- Winner – Tournament Winner in the Past Year
- Career Money Exemption
- Sponsor Exemption: DPWT
- Sponsor’s Exemption – PGA
- Sponsor’s Exemption – Unrestricted
- Sponsor’s Exemption – PGA
- PGA Section Champion\Player of the Year.
- Open Qualifying
- Top 30 on the FedExCup Playoffs & Eligibility Points List
- Top 70 on Prior Year FEC Playoff & Elig List through the Playoffs
- Top 125 FedExCup Fall Point Lists
- Major Medical Extension.
- Leading Points Winner from DP World Tour
- PGA TOUR University #1 – Prior Season
- Leading 10 players (not otherwise exempt) on DP World Tour
- Players 2-30 on the Prior Season Korn Ferry Tour Points List
- Top 5 Finishers and Ties from PGA TOUR Q-School
Previous Winners in the Field (Event):
- Stephan Jäger (2024), Tony Finau (2023), Lanto Griffin (2019)
Debutants in the Field:
- Aldrich Potgieter, Antoine Rozner, Braden Thornberry, Carlos Sainz Jr, Cristobal Del Solar, Danny Walker, Frankie Capan III, Jackson Suber, Jeremy Paul, Jesper Svensson, John Pak, Kaito Onishi, Karl Vilips, Kevin Velo, Kevin Yu, Mason Andersen, Matt McCarty, Matthew Riedel, Michael Thorbjornsen, Min Woo Lee, Nicolai Hojgaard, Niklas Norgaard Moller, Noah Goodwin, Noah Kent, Paul Peterson, Paul Waring, Quade Cummins, Rasmus Hojgaard, Ricky Castillo, Rikuya Hoshino, Ryan Gerard, Ryo Hisatsune, Sami Valimaki, Steven Fisk, Takumi Kanaya, Taylor Dickson, Thomas Rosenmueller, Thriston Lawrence, Tim Widing, Trevor Cone, Wesley Bryan, Will Chandler, William Mouw
Exemptions:
- Padrig Harrington – Sponsors Exemptions – PGA TOUR Member not otherwise exempt.
- Zach Johnson – Sponsors Exemptions – PGA TOUR Member not otherwise exempt.
- Noah Kent – Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted.
- Ryan Palmer – Career Money Exemption.
- Brandt Snedeker – Career Money Exemption.
- Hayden Springer – Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted.
- Jimmy Walker – Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted.
- Kyle Westmoreland – Sponsors Exemptions – Unrestricted.
Notable Withdraws/ Changes:
- Brian Campbell (WD), Aaron Baddeley (In)
- Andrew Putnam (WD)
- Vince Covello (In; sponsor pick/Qualifying Tournament)
- Brandon Matthews (WD)
- Philip Knowles (In; sponsor pick/Qualifying Tournament)
- Carson Young (WD), Anders Albertson (In)
- Erik van Rooyen (WD)
Tee Times & Groupings:
The Odds:
Here are the current favorites for this week’s event:
| Golfer | Odds | Last 4 Finishes on the PGA TOUR | Last 4 Finishes at the Texas Children’s Houston Open |
| Scottie Scheffler | +350 | T20-T11-T3-T25 | T2-T9-T2-T32 |
| Rory McIlroy | +650 | WON-T15-T17-WON | T7-T45-MC-T19 |
| Aaron Rai | +2800 | T37-T4-T11-T14 | T19-T7-T7 |
| Wyndham Clark | +3000 | T16-T31-T22-WD | MC-T41-T16-T31 |
Tournament Props:
Playoff:
- Will There Be a Playoff at the Texas Children’s Houston Open? (Yes +300 / No -400)
Since the tournament returned to Memorial Park Golf Course in 2021, the Texas Children’s Houston Open has not been decided by a playoff. The last playoff at this tournament was back in 2018 when Ian Poulter defeated Beau Hossler.
Hole-in-One:
- Will There Be A Hole-in-One at the Texas Children’s Houston Open? (Yes -200/ No +150)
Last year at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, Chan Kim and Peter Malnati each recorded a hole-in-one. Since the tournament returned to Memorial Park Golf Course in 2021, at least one hole-in-one has been made in every edition.
Wire to Wire Winner:
- Will There Be A Wire-to-wire Winner at the Texas Children’s Houston Open? (Yes +800)
The only player to win the tournament in wire-to-wire fashion was Stuart Appleby in 2016.
Recent Horses for Courses (Memorial Park Golf Course):
| Texas Children’s Houston Open | Cadence Bank Houston Open | Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open | |||
| Memorial Park Golf Course | Memorial Park Golf Course | Memorial Park Golf Course | |||
| Golfer | Events Played | SG: Total (Event) | 2024 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Scottie Scheffler | 5 | +38.63 | T2 | T9 | T2 |
| Aaron Rai | 3 | +24.68 | T7 | T7 | T19 |
| Stephan Jaeger | 4 | +22.68 | WON | T9 | T35 |
| Davis Riley | 3 | +15.68 | T14 | T27 | T29 |
| Mackenzie Hughes | 7 | +29.15 | T14 | T16 | T29 |
| Tony Finau | 8 | +34.70 | T2 | WON | MC |
Recent Donkeys for Courses (Memorial Park Golf Course):
| Texas Children’s Houston Open | Cadence Bank Houston Open | Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open | |||
| Memorial Park Golf Course | Memorial Park Golf Course | Memorial Park Golf Course | |||
| Golfer | Events Played | SG: Total (Event) | 2024 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Jimmy Walker | 16 | -30.97 | MC | MC | MC |
| Carson Young | 2 | -18.82 | MC | MC | – |
| Brandt Snedeker | 8 | -11.35 | MC | – | MC |
| Matt Wallace | 2 | -8.58 | MC | MC | – |
| Zac Blair | 6 | -1.51 | MC | MC | – |
Previous Winners Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament):
- 2024: Stephan Jäger (-12)
- Price: 50-1
| SG: Off the Tee | SG: Tee to Green | SG: Approach | SG: Around the Green | SG: Putting | |
| Stephan Jäger | 37th | 18th | 38th | 9th | 3rd |
- 2023: No tournament
- Price: N/A
- 2022: Tony Finau (-16)
- Price: 22-1
| SG: Off the Tee | SG: Tee to Green | SG: Approach | SG: Around the Green | SG: Putting | |
| Tony Finau | 2nd | 4th | 9th | 29th | 2nd |
- 2021: Jason Kokrak (-10)
- Price: 50-1
| SG: Off the Tee | SG: Tee to Green | SG: Approach | SG: Around the Green | SG: Putting | |
| Jason Kokrak | 14th | 17th | 2nd | 67th | 3rd |
Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts):
- 2024: Stephan Jäger
- MC – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
- T44 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
- MC – Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches (PGA)
- T3 – Mexico Open (PGA)
- T71- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (PGA)
- 2023: No tournament
- 2022: Tony Finau
- MC – World Wide Technology Championship (PGA)
- 9 – TOUR Championship (PGA)
- T28 – BMW Championship (PGA)
- T5 – FedEx St. Jude Championship (PGA)
- WON – Rocket Mortgage Classic (PGA)
- 2021: Jason Kokrak
- T54 – THE CJ CUP (PGA)
- MC – Shriners Children’s Open (PGA)
- T11 – TOUR Championship (PGA)
- T15 – BMW Championship (PGA)
- MC – THE NORTHERN TRUST (PGA)
Previous Winners Finishes at Event:
2024: Stephan Jäger
| Cadence Bank Houston Open | Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open | Houston Open | |
| Memorial Park Golf Course | Memorial Park Golf Course | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | |
| 2022 | 2021 | 2018 | |
| Stephan Jäger | T9 | T35 | MC |
2023: No tournament
2022: Tony Finau
| Hewlett Packard Enterprise Houston Open | Vivint Houston Open | Houston Open | Shell Houston Open | Shell Houston Open | Shell Houston Open | |
| Memorial Park Golf Course | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | |
| 2021 | 2020 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | |
| Tony Finau | MC | T24 | T24 | T34 | MC | T42 |
2021: Jason Kokrak
| Houston Open | Shell Houston Open | Shell Houston Open | Shell Houston Open | Shell Houston Open | Shell Houston Open | Shell Houston Open | |
| Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | Redstone Golf Club (Golf Club of Hoston) | |
| 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |
| Jason Kokrak | T80 | T71 | 68 | MC | MC | 9 | MC |
Picks:
Outrights
Aaron Rai (+2800) – FanDuel
Tony Finau (+3500) – FanDuel
Min Woo Lee (+3500) – FanDuel
Jacob Bridgeman (+4500) – FanDuel
Alex Smalley (+6000) – FanDuel
Top 20
Jason Day (+150) – DraftKings
Jake Knapp (+250) – DraftKings
Top 40
Davis Riley (+110) – BetMGM
Mac Meissner (+150) – BetMGM
Best of luck, and as always you can find me on Twitter @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting. Any feedback whether positive or negative is always encouraged.
