The PGA Tour heads to Houston Texas this weekend for the Shell Houston Open, in what will be the final tournament before the US Masters begins on April 7. Players will be in search of a positive result to give them momentum to carry into next weeks major.
Last years champion, American Anthony Kim, rode success at the Shell to a third place finish at the US Masters after making an incredible final day run. He will be looking to repeat last year's success and become the only player other than Vijay Singh to win the Shell in back to back years. This could prove difficult for Kim who has history and his recent form going against him with only one to 10 finish this year seeming to justify his 35/1 odds.
The field features many big names along with Kim such as Englishman Lee Westwood and American Phil Mickelson ranked 2nd and 6th in the world respectively.
Westwood, who finished tied for 8th at the Shell last year, needs a finish in the top 2 to usurp Martin Kaymer as world number one before heading to Augusta. This may give added incentive to the 37-year old and at 14/1 odds Westwood may be worth a bet.
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Mickelson, the US Masters winner in 2010, finished tied for 35th at this event last year and with his recent 24th place finish at Bay Hill his prospects remain uncertain. However tournament coordinators have been trying to get the Shell course to play more like Augusta every year, making 4-time Major champion and 3-time green jacket winner a favourite to be challenging for the title, odds 16/1.
One under the radar pick is American JJ Henry. The 35-year old American hasn't missed a cut in 9 starts and coming off a performance at Bay Hill that saw him tied for twelfth he is in a good vein of form. Consistency will be key for Henry who ranks 17th in overall driving on the tour, odds 60/1.
This week's picks
Lee Westwood 2pts to win at 14/1
Phil Mickelson 2 pts to win at 14/1 Anthony Kim 2pts each way at 35/1 JJ Henry 1 pts each way at 60/1
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