Sports and Recreation

Houston Open At Memorial Park: Weather, Wind And Masters Hopes On The Line In Texas This Weekend

Texas winds and high temps in the 80s will challenge golfers at Memorial Park as the top 50 in the world fight to lock in their spot for The Masters. Jake Knapp, Chris Gotterup and Brooks Koepka are top picks in a wide open field.

A detail view of a tee marker ahead of the Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course on November 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) — A detail view of a tee marker ahead of the Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course on November 04, 2020 in Houston, Texas.
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

We are officially two weeks from The Masters! This week's 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park in Houston is the second-to-last PGA Tour event before the tour hits Augusta National, which makes it the perfect tune-up for golf's biggest event.

One thing I do love about this year's Houston Open is that it is wide open. Scottie Scheffler was a huge favorite, but he dropped out of the competition on Monday as he announced his wife is expecting. (Congrats!)

This event matters, big time. After this event, the top 50 in the world lock in their spot at The Masters along with the winner. And, with a bunch of players outside that cutoff looking to change their season, expect a high level of competition all weekend long.

The weather is expected to be really nice through the weekend in Houston, but that doesn't mean it won't play a part. Expect high 80s on Thursday and Friday, and for it to cool down to the low 80s on Saturday and Sunday, but just because it's sunny doesn't mean it will be ideal.

Texas winds will be the biggest factor here. Memorial Park sits right in the path of strong, unpredictable gusts that can turn a routine shot into a disaster in mere seconds. Even without wind, this course is challenging. This is a par 70 stretching almost 7,500 yards with zero gimme birdie holes. It's big, exposed and built to punish mistakes. Between the weather and the layout, this is one of the toughest stops on the schedule, but as I stated earlier can be very rewarding.

Jake Knapp of the United States plays a shot from a bunker on the tenth hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2026 at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on March 12, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) — Jake Knapp of the United States plays a shot from a bunker on the tenth hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2026 at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on March 12, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

My pick for the outright winner this week is Jake Knapp (+2350). Knapp started this PGA season on a heater before throwing his back out at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. If he's fully healthy, he can claim to be the best golfer in the field. He's currently ranked 42nd in the world, so he is right on the border of qualifying for The Masters. I believe he will punch in his ticket by Sunday.

Chris Gotterup of the United States poses with the winner's trophy after winning the WM Phoenix Open 2026 at TPC Scottsdale on February 08, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) — Chris Gotterup of the United States poses with the winner's trophy after winning the WM Phoenix Open 2026 at TPC Scottsdale on February 08, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona.
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

My pick for a top-five finish is Chris Gotterup (+400). Gotterup has already won two PGA events this season, and in a field where he is clearly one of the top golfers, I see him getting ahead early and not worrying about the pressure of the other golfers behind him. It also wouldn't hurt to sprinkle some money on him as an outright winner (+2050).

Brooks Koepka is slowly but surely starting to look like the Brooks Koepka that we are used to. In his last three tournaments, he has finished in the top 18 in each one. I believe Houston is where it will all come together for him. Not to mention, he has a home-field advantage: He helped design this golf course. Take Koepka for a top-10 finish (+235).

All odds provided by DraftKings.

Brooks Koepka talks with reporters during a press conference prior to the Texas Children's Houston Open 2026 at Memorial Park Golf Course on March 25, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) — Brooks Koepka talks with reporters during a press conference prior to the Texas Children's Houston Open 2026 at Memorial Park Golf Course on March 25, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

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