2009 Shell Houston Open Predictions
Written March 31, 2009 by Jason Lowry
We are ever so close to the first major of the season, as the Masters are set to get underway next week, but the focus this week is on the golfers doing battle at the 2009 Shell Houston Open. While there will be no Tiger Woods in action this week, there are a number of great golfers set to take aim at Redstone Golf Club, including defending champion Johnson Wagner. It won’t be easy for a Wagner repeat this week, as he will have to take down some of the best golfers in the world, including No.2 ranked golfer in the world Phil Mickelson. This event is more about preparation for the Masters than anything, but a win this week could be just what is needed for a good showing at the Masters, as 5 different players have went on to win the Masters after winning the previous week, including most recently by Phil Mickelson back in 2006. It won’t be easy for the little guy to climb to the top this week, but as Wagner showed last year, its anyones tournament to win. Here is a look at the 3 golfers I think have the best shot at winning here at the Shell Houston Open.
Geoff Ogilvy +1200 odds to win at Sportsbook.com: There are few that would of guessed Ogilvy would be looking for his 3rd win of the season before the first major, but thats exactly what this guy is doing after already posting wins at the Mercedes-Benz Championship and the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. The reason we like Ogilvy to win this week, is the fact that he has really played well here at Redstone, including a 2nd place finish here last year, and has two other top 10 finishes in just 5 starts here. Ogilvy’s success has come in large part by his outstanding putting, as he currently ranks 1st in putting average. One knock on Ogilvy this season, is it has been pretty much all or nothing so far, as he hasn’t finished better than 17th in any start besides his two wins. I expect the all part this week, as Ogilvy is my overall favorite to win this tournament.
Steve Stricker +2000 odds to win at Sportsbook.com: Stricker is another golfer that has really played well here at Redstone, as he hasn’t finished worse than 15th in his last 3 starts, including a 3rd place finish back in 2006. Stricker has been off to a pretty hot start for the 2009 season, as he has 3 top 5 finishes in 7 starts, including a 4th place finish in his most recent start at the Transitions Championship. Another reason to like Stricker this week is he also very good on the greens, as he comes in ranked 6th in putting, and is not to bad with the other sticks in his bag, as he is currently 49th in total driving and 13th in greens in regulation.
Stuart Appleby +3000 odds to win at Sportsbook.com: Other than Vijay Singh, Appleby is the only golfer in the last 10 years to win this event more than once, as Appleby won here in 1999 and most recently in 2006. That isn’t all Appleby has done on this course, as he finished 2nd here back in 2007. So disregard his poor play last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, as he finished tied for 52nd and has only one top 10 finish this season, and look more at the success he has had here on this course in the past.
For those of you looking to do a little PGA Tour betting this week, be sure to check out our expert golf picks and stay on top of the game with the very latest golf odds at Betfirms.
If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:
- 2009 US Open Betting Odds
- 2009 Sony Open Picks, Odds, & Predictions.
- 2009 Quail Hollow Championship Predictions
- 2009 Buick Open Predictions
- Geoff Ogilvy Odds to Win the Masters
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