For the first of two events in a row in Texas, we head to Memorial Park (par 70, 7,475 yards, POA Trivialis greens) in Houston for the Texas Children’s Houston Open. This par 70 has hosted the last four Houston Opens and for this week, there will be 144 golfers competing and a top-65 and ties cut after the first two rounds.
Below, I have featured some head-to-head tournament matchup bets to consider for the Texas Children’s Houston Open.
Si Woo Kim over Taylor Pendrith (-120)
Kim is in far better than Pendrith right now. The former travels to Houston riding a five made cut streak with four of these finishes being top-25 results, while Pendrith has missed two of his last five cuts and he has only finished inside the top-30 in one of these starts. In total strokes gained this season, Kim ranks 33rd and Pendrith ranks 51st.
Kim also has a much better resume at Memorial Park than Pendrith. Both players have made 2-of-3 cuts at the par 70, but Kim has two finishes inside the top-35, including a T17 last year, while Pendrith has never finished higher than T36th. In their 10 rounds at Memorial Park, Kim owns a strong 69.6 average score, compared to 71.4 for Pendrith. Overall, Kim is gaining 0.8 strokes per round in Texas for his career, while Pendrith is losing strokes.
All signs are pointing towards Kim outperforming Pendrith this week and Kim must be backed to win this matchup.
Jason Day over Davis Thompson (+100)
Both golfers are coming off top-10 finishes at Florida tournaments, but Day has been the better player this season. The Australian hasn’t missed a cut in six starts and has carded three top-25 finishes, while Thompson has made 6-of-9 cuts and only finished inside the top-25 twice. When we compare this field’s last 24 rounds, Day ranks 15th in total strokes gained and Thompson ranks 31st.
At Memorial Park, Thompson has been solid, but he lacks experience and upside at the par 70 compared to Day. The veteran has made 3-of-4 cuts here, including a T7 in 2020 and a T16 in 2022, while Thompson has finished T43rd and T21st in his two starts at Memorial Park. In general in Texas, Day has won twice and is gaining 1.34 strokes per round for his career, compared to only two top-25 finishes and 0.92 strokes per round for Thompson.
Day and his veteran savviness should outlast Thompson this week and Day is an awesome bet to win this matchup at this +100 price.
