Shell Houston Open Golf Tip: Lucas Glover

The Shell Houston Open at Redstone’s Tournament Course is the last stop before the US Masters. As to be expected the warm-up for Augusta is all about short game and putting. Amazingly last year’s winner Anthony Kim succeeded despite ranking last in fairways hit. Where he excelled was on the greens, finishing T-7 in putting.

This week’s selection is a strong putter and former major winner – Lucas Glover. Not a frequent winner, he notched his second tour victory when it mattered most; the 2009 U.S. Open at the Bethpage Black.

Since then Glover’s career has been fairly humdrum. 2010 was a consistent year, with three top tens, but this season things have been picking up. In his last tournament, a fortnight ago, he finished T-20 at the Transitions Championship, his best result of 2011 and fourth successive cut. That tied-20th included a second round 64 that briefly put him in contention and showed that he still has the ability to go low.

His record at Redstone is also impressive. In the last five years he boasts two top 25 finishes and averages under par for his last 20 rounds at the course. At an event that demands talent with the flat stick, it is also good to see that Glover ranks 13th in the putting stats this year.

With several bookmakers going 50/1, the standout 80/1 with Paddypower looks out of line. Snap up that value as soon as possible before Glover’s season ignites.