2nd Nov 2020 | Houston Open
Houston Open: Sam Burns
Big hitting Burns has been playing consistently well for a number of months and has been exceptional off the tee. Ranks well for birdie average and if scoring is low he should come to the fore.
I’m not sure we can say the Houston Open is back in it’s pre-Masters slot, especially in November but that is how the schedule has fallen and at least we’ve got some golf to watch. This year Memorial Park Golf Course is hosting the Houston Open, so we need to reset our expectations on course form. From what I can garner this is a municipal course (and great value at $30 for a round) but don’t be fooled into thinking the PGA Tour are turning up for your Sunday medal; this is a proper course.
From various videos, the course offers up your usually PGA fare; it is flat, has water, a smattering of tree but is generally fairly open. I suspect the big hitters will hold sway and it should suit someone like Sam Burns.
The 24-year-old has been playing consistently well for a while now and has been excellent off the tee. At the Shriners he was third in strokes gained off the tee and he occupied the same slot at the Safeway Open. The big area for improvement needs to come around the greens because his chipping is losing strokes to the field. That is a slight concern if he gets into contention but he might just get away with it if he putts well.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 12:37 2nd Nov, 2020 but subject to change