The eyes of the golf world are on the Texas Children's Houston Open , as the PGA Tour makes its penultimate stop before the first major of the year, The Masters. The tournament is played at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston – a modern championship course known for its strategic design, firm and fast greens, and a layout that demands both precision off the tee and creativity on the greens. After an extensive redesign led by Brooks Koepka and course architect Tom Doak, the course has established itself as one of the most demanding and fair tests on the tour.
Historically, the Houston Open has a special place in the run-up to the Masters. The tournament dates back to the 1940s and has been a venue for players to hone their skills before heading to Augusta. Past winners include some of the biggest names in the sport, and the tournament has often served as a key indicator of who is in the mix before the first major of the season.
But this year it's about more than just improving your form. With only two tournaments left before The Masters, this is a crucial week for players fighting for a place in the starting field at Augusta National Golf Club. The top 50 in the world rankings after the weekend secure an invitation, and several profiles are just on the wrong side of the border. For them, Houston is a last chance to make a mark – if not, there is only one way left: victory in next week's Valero Texas Open.
In short, everything is in place for a tournament characterized by both nerves and opportunities – where the hunt for a place in golf's most iconic tournament is really heating up.
Players chasing a spot in The Masters
Several high-profile players arrive at the Texas Children's Houston Open with far more than just a good finish in mind. For a handful of players, the week in Houston is about keeping the Masters dream alive – and essentially securing a ticket to The Masters.
Among the most high-profile names is Tony Finau, who was a regular top-20 player in the world not long ago but has now fallen outside the top 100. The American needs a strong result – and likely a top-50 finish – to get back into the top 50 and secure an invitation.
Young and up-and-coming players like Michael Thorbjornsen and Pierceson Coody are also just outside the limit. Both have shown flashes of top-level play, but lack the one breakthrough result that could lift them into the Masters field.
Danish Nicolai Højgaard is another name to keep an eye on. He has been close to the top 50 and has delivered solid performances throughout the season, but still needs a strong week to be completely confident.
At the same time, several established players are also under pressure. Players like Rickie Fowler and Sahith Theegala are outside the qualifying threshold and must deliver immediately if they are to avoid missing out on the first major of the year.
What everyone has in common is that time is running out. With top 50 in the world as the last direct qualification requirement after Houston, this is practically the last realistic opportunity to play in via rankings. If that fails, there is only one way to Augusta: victory in the Valero Texas Open the following week.
Our favorites in the Children's Houston Open
Brooks Koepka
Koepka is back on the PGA Tour in 2026 and has gradually started to find his rhythm again. The results haven't been spectacular, but several solid finishes around the top 20 suggest his form is on the rise. The five-time major winner is always a factor when the level is raised, and Memorial Park is a course he knows very well after being involved in the redesign.
Winner: 21.00
Top 5: 5.00
Top 10: 3.20
Top 20: 2.20
Chris Gotterup
Gotterup has had one of the strongest starts to the 2026 season. He opened the year with a victory at the Sony Open and has established himself at the top of both the FedEx Cup and world rankings. The powerful American combines length off the tee with increasingly consistent play, and appears to be one of the hottest players heading into Houston this week.
Winner: 17.00
Top 5: 4.50
Top 10: 2.88
Top 20: 2.05
Sam Burns
Burns is one of the most consistent players on the tour, and has continued to deliver consistently good performances in 2026 without necessarily topping the charts. He remains one of the more reliable names in terms of top-10 potential, thanks in large part to one of the best putting games on tour. Once he gets going, he is a real contender.
Winner: 23.00
Top 5: 5.50
Top 10: 3.20
Top 20: 2.15
Min Woo Lee
The reigning champion in Houston has had a very solid start to the 2026 season. He has made the cut in every tournament so far and is coming off a strong second-place finish at Pebble Beach. With increased consistency in his iron play and putting, the Australian appears to be a complete player – and a natural favorite when he returns to the course where he won his first PGA Tour victory.
Winner: 13.00
Top 5: 3.80
Top 10: 2.50
Top 20: 1.83
Jake Knapp
Knapp continues to develop as an exciting outsider on the tour. He hasn't quite hit his stride with top results in 2026 yet, but he's consistently well-placed in the field and has a high peak level. A player who often appears on the leaderboard when the conditions are right, and who can surprise in an open field.
Winner: 21.00
Top 5: 5.00
Top 10: 3.20
Top 20: 2.05
Outsiders
Tony Finau
Finau is an interesting name this week, not least in terms of Masters qualification. He has fallen in the world rankings and needs a strong result, but his level is still high enough to win at his best. A player who often rises when it matters most.
Winner: 51.00
Top 5: 10.00
Top 10: 5.50
Top 20: 3.30
Sungjae Im
Im is the very definition of consistency. He often delivers solid finishes and is rarely far from the top. While he may not always be the most spectacular, his consistent production makes him a dangerous outsider – especially in tournaments where many struggle with pressure.
Winner: 51.00
Top 5: 10.00
Top 10: 5.50
Top 20: 3.05
Kristoffer Reitan
We also have faith in our Norwegian participant this week. We believe he can surprise.
Kristoffer Reitan enters the 2026 season after his definitive breakthrough last year, with two victories on the DP World Tour – including a strong triumph in the Nedbank Golf Challenge which also secured him a place in The Masters.
The transition to the PGA Tour has been solid, but the big top results have yet to come. He has finishes like T30 in the Farmers Insurance Open and T17 in the Cognizant Classic, which show a stable level in a much tougher field. At the same time, he has shown the ability to keep up in the biggest tournaments, including making the cut at the Players Championship recently.
Reitan is still in the establishment phase at the top level, but the top level is indisputable. With length off the tee and growing confidence after the 2025 season, he appears to be a player who can surprise – especially when everything works out through four rounds.
Winner: 67.00
Top 5: 11.00
Top 10: 6.00
Top 20: 3.15
Golf has been an adventure
The golf has been fantastic so far this year. Not least thanks to our good hit rate on the H2H bets throughout the weekends. We will of course also follow these closely this time. You will definitely find good bets there throughout the weekend, and you will of course find that on our odds list.
