Houston Open Betting Preview: Dustin Johnson returns ahead of next week’s Masters
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Odds and Preview for the PGA Tour Tournament
Most eyes are already trained on next week’s Masters, but the Houston Open will see both the current and a former World No.1 in action as they try to shake off the rust ahead of next week’s Augusta showpiece.
Will Dustin Johnson be able to make an instant return to winning ways after six weeks away? Is Brooks Koepka ready to challenge having played just once so far in the 2020/21 PGA Tour? Will a be-hoodied Brit be able to crash the party?
We’ll run through a few of the favourites and best backed golfers ahead of tomorrow’s tee-off in our Houston Open betting preview.
The World No.1 was in the form of his life until contracting Covid-19, with a six-week layoff meaning he missed out on a host of events, including the CJ Cup and the Zozo Championship.
Reports have suggested DJ was hampered by fatigue during his recovery, yet with the Masters just a week away, the Houston Open is his only opportunity to see how he holds up in competitive play.
Despite that, he remains the favourite for the event off the back of his pre-break form, where he managed five T-6 or better finishes consecutively. If he can showcase that kind of form again here, chances are he’ll move straight into the top five favourites for the Masters.
The Englishman makes headlines wherever he goes thanks to his preference for wearing a hoodie on the golf course, but it’s his performances that have caught the eye in recent weeks. So far in the 20/21 season he has won the BMW PGA Championship on the European Tour, before a strong third-placed finish in the CJ Cup.
A five-time European Tour champion, there are still questions to be asked about Hatton’s temperament, with the occasional on-course outburst, but the Brit has earned his place in the Top 10 in the world rankings this year – and this kind of event could suit him down to a tee, with his strong approach play gaining round on the rest of the field.
The former World No. 1 has struggled with injuries this season, with his only appearance in the 20/21 PGA Tour an underwhelming T-28 at the CJ Cup.
He does perhaps have one big advantage in Houston though – Koepka was reportedly consulted heavily on the design of the Memorial Park course, with architect Tom Doakes keen to get some pro input on the layout.
Koepka recently went as far as admitting he refused to watch Bryson DeChambeau’s U.S. Open win, with the two golfers known rivals on and off the course – can he use that rivalry to fuel a strong display ahead of the Masters?
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
