Vivint Houston Open: Expert Picks

Tournament Information

Vivint Houston Open
Date: November 8^th
Course: Memorial Park Municipal Golf Course
Purse: $7MM ($1.3MM to winner)
2020 Winner: Lanto Griffin (-14)

Course

Memorial Park Municipal Golf Course — Originally a 9-hole course in 1923, this course was renovated by John Bredemus in 1935. As a par 72 this course is long (7,292 yards) but it is easier with a slope rating of 118 (the course rating is 74.2). The greens are generous in size providing ample space to land. Challenges in this course will lie in the angled rough which will require golfers to take longer shots out of on some of the longer holes. There are a handful of easier holes down the final stretch but look for the big hitters to thrive this week. I am anticipating some lower scores this week (maybe approaching -20).

Photo by Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

My Starting 4

Wyndham Clark (first selection this year) — 7th in driving distance, 11th in Eagles and 31st in Greens in Regulation, Clark comes to Vivint Houston fresh off a 2nd place finish at Bermuda Championship. He has made cuts in three out of four tournaments this year.

Brooks Koepka (first selection this year) — Koepka helped design the course. Yeah. Plus he can hit the ball a mile.

Adam Scott (first selection this year) — Scott is 15th in OWGR, 16th in driving distance and 31st in strokes gained putting. One of his larger flaws (approaching the green and around the green) should be mitigated with the larger greens. He has played in just one tournament finishing 38th at the US Open this year.

Cameron Davis (first selection this year) — Davis turned pro in 2016 but this is really his third season as a full time pro. He made all three cuts this season finishing 6th at Sanderson Farms. He is 21st in drive distance, 33rd in strokes gained off the tee, and 42nd in total strokes gained. It is early but he is moving towards a great year.

My Bench 2

Luke List (third selection this year) — List is 13th in driving distance and 11th in strokes gained off the tee this year. He has made the cut in three of his five tournaments this year.

Dylan Frittelli (first selection this year) — Frittelli is 31st in driving distance and 30th in strokes gained off the tee. He is trending in the right direction this season, after missing the cut at Sanderson Farms, he finished 34th at Shriners Hospital, 69th at CJ Cup and 11th at the Zozo Championship.

Fun Fact: Since it’s inception in 1946 this tournament has been played at over 10 different courses.

2020-2021 Stats

Starting 4: avg finish 37^th (29^th percent)
Bench 2: avg finish 58^th (45th percent)