Shell Houston Open We've had relatively good success in this event despite that for many players this tournament can and will be a prep week for the MASTERS.
The Redstone GC in Houston, TX., is a very long 7,457 track that tries to replicate conditions that the Tour players will face at Augusta National next week. The greens will run at 12 on the stimpmeter and the fairways are wide and rolling.
There are several matchups where the price has been bet up viciously this week. Like Matt Kuchar -185 vs. Phil Mickelson is too high IMO even though I would want Kuch there, also Retief Goosen -160 vs. defending Champ Anthony Kim has climbed 40 cents, tough to take Kim who has shown little this year and is paired with Mickelson and Lee Westwood first two rounds. If they come down we may get involved.
Fred Couples -110 vs. Stuart Appleby
Couples a Houston University alum comes to this event almost every year if his back is willing. He is a winner of this event in 2003 on a different golf course, and lately here at Redstone solid Top 5 finishes in '08 and '09. Appleby has shown little since having the lead after two rounds of the Transitions Championship, in fact he has gone backwards.
Ross Fisher +115 vs. Louis Oosthuzien
Fisher when he plays allot is a steady competitor and he is a deadly putter to boot. But, this bet is against Oosty who since proclaiming his American wishes and joining the PGA Tour full time this year, the British Open winner hasn't scared anyone nor the leaderboard. Last week he was in his native South Africa and was to defend his Analucia Open title. He did not make his starting tee time and WD’d sighting a virus in one of his eyes. Who knows how well he can play this week, and I’m betting this week will be more of a getting healthier and ready for the Masters next week.
