AFTER a wining selection last week, Louis Ross (@KingLouis2105) returns with four more golf picks this week from the Houston Open.
Shell Houston Open | Thursday – Sunday | Sky Sports
What a fantastic performance from Jimmy Walker last week. One for the Augusta notebook I think. Brendan Steele did us a favour with his 8th place at 9/4 for a Top 20. Zach Johnson? Hmm. Won't be seeing him in one of these pieces for a while.
In contrast to San Antonio, we'll see much less rough this week and some very different playing conditions. Weather is something few of us consider when choosing where to invest our hard earned cash. It can have a huge effect on a golf tournament.
Some players are just better in wind and there are some who become world beaters when a course is softened up. Step forward Rory McIllroy. Players like Rory and one or two below have the ability to destroy a course in wet conditions and as an extremely wet start and finish is forecast, that's led me in a certain direction.
One more bit of housekeeping. I find some great value at the end of Round 2. The winner is more often than not five or six shots back at that point and 25/1 upwards. If you follow me on Twitter at @KingLouis2105 (I wouldn't) you will have seen one of my followers invest in my tip of Matt Every at 20/1 a fortnight ago. I shall be adding a Saturday morning choice here this week.
Jordan Speith is hot right now. You made have read this before from me, but I just can't back a 15/2 chance in a field of 100 plus. He has it all though.
Paul Casey nearly made it into my main picks, but I really like 5/2 (BetVictor) for a Top 20. Casey is on a high having just qualified for Augusta and his 2015 form is fantastic. You may want to take a look at his EW odds for The Masters now as a good performance here could halve them.
Keegan Bradley has let me down more than once this year, but has tended to be up there for at least three rounds. He really isn't too far away and I think 9/2 (BetVictor) for a Top 10 finish is irresistible.
One main pick for me this week. This was fairly difficult as I wanted to stay with Matt Kuchar but 16/1 is putting me off a little. Phil Mickleson is my favourite golfer of all and I so want him to do well.
He loves this place, is possibly getting back into some kind of form and is one of those guys who at 33/1 (Coral) is amazing value. Matt Jones won here last year, played really well last week and Aussies seem to do really well in Texas. At 40/1, I will take him on EW with 888 Sport.
One last thing, First Round Leader is an interesting market. Players like Charley Hoffman regularly start really well without carrying it through. JB Holmes is another fast starter. My £1 will be on him Thursday at 35/1 with 888 Sport.
Best Bets
Houston Open – Phil Mickelson to win (33/1 Coral)
Houston Open – Matt Jones each way (40/1 888 Sport)
Houston Open – Keegan Bradley Top 10 Finish (9/2 BetVictor)
Houston Open – Paul Casey Top 20 Finish (5/2 BetVictor)
Houston Open – JB Holmes First Round Leader (35/1 888 Sport)
Bet £10, Get £5
Place a minimum bet of £10 or £10 each way on the pre-tournament market and Betfair will give you a free £5 bet to use in play.
