Cadence Bank Houston Open Picks (Tony Finau is Perfect Fit at Memorial Park Golf Course)
We walk away from the World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba with a tiny profit, going 1-2 and hittong on Thomas Detry to finish in the Top 20 at +210. Profit is profit, I suppose.
The PGA Tour returns to the United States for this week's Cadence Bank Houston Open, set to take place at Memorial Park Golf Course.
We have a few big names competing at this event, but as is the case with most events on the fall swing, it's very top heavy in talent. Let's dive into the odds for the event, and then I'll give you my top three bets.
Odds to Win the Cadence Bank Houston Open
Cadence Bank Houston Open Best Bets
Tony Finau to Win +1600
Tony Finau had a rough outing at last week's Mayakoba Classic, but that can be forgiven and looked at as a warmup tournament as his first start of the new season. If he can round into form this week, I think he'll be the man to beat.
The types of golfers you should target at the Houston Open are those who are great off the tee, particularly long drivers, and those who are good with their approach shots from 150+ yards out. Finau, last season, ranked 40th in driving distance and he thrived with his long approaches. He ranked 20th in approaches from 150-175 yards out, and fourth from approachs that were 175-200 yards out.
With a top-heavy field, I think Finau is the golfer to target amongst the big names.
Jason Day Top 10 Finish +250
Don't look now, but Jason Day has been playing some fantastic golf in the fall swing of the season. His last three starts resulted in T8, T11, and T21 finishes. His numbers have also been off the charts.
He ranks 24th in total strokes gained this season, and most notably, sixth in strokes gained: approach. His putter has hurt him, but we're just going to stay a bit conservative with him and bet on him to finish inside the top 10. Let's not forget he finished 7th at the Houston Open back in 2020.
Based on past performance and recent form, I'll take a shot on home to finish in the top 10 at +250.
Justin Lower Top 20 Finish +280
Justin Lower is likely a name you're not familiar with, but the PGA Tour sophomore has been quietly consistent through the first couple months of the new season. He has yet to miss a cut in five starts, and he already has three top 20 finishes including a T4 at the Fortinet Championship.
He's not the longest driver in the world, but he ranks eighth in birdie average, 23rd in total strokes gained, and his long-approach game is dialed in. He ranks ninth in approaches from 150-175 yards and 11th in approaches from 175-200 yards.
I love the +280 price tag on him to record his fourth Top 20 finish of the early season.
You can track Iain's bets on Betstamp here.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.