2007 Shell Houston Open Preview
shlinklincoln March 27th, 2007
Preview
So I finally got one right and it only took 12 weeks. Oh well. Of course as I pointed out in last week’s preview, Tiger was the overwhelming favorite. Either way I’ll take it. Let’s see if I can make it two weeks in a row heading into the Masters.
Before I breakdown this week’s tournament lets see who Vegas likes.
Shell Houston Open
Redstone Golf Club - Humble, Texas
This tournament has a rich history going back to the mid 40s. Previous winners here include Hall of Famers Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Payne Stewart. Last season Stuart Appleby won by six strokes over Bob Estes. Appleby certainly has a chance to repeat this weekend (T2 in 2003 and a win in 1999, though it was played on a different course) if he can get the ball on the green. Stuart is 178th in GIR thus far on the season. Hitting the greens here is key. Look for the winner to be at the top of GIR for the week.
Adam Scott is the only golfer playing this week in the OGWR top 5. Scott has had an up and down season thus far in four events. He was runner up at the Mercedes but since then has not finished better then T33 (Accenture Match Play). Last week he finished T61, and did not have a single round in the 60s. Scott hasn’t played in this event since 03 (MC, after a 68 on Thurs) but does have a top 10 here (T6 in 2002). There is a great opportunity for Adam to win this week, with most of the notables taking the week off in preparation for the Masters (just 8 days and counting). I look for Adam to come out of the gate to grab the lead, holding on for a close win.
Others that will be in the hunt this week are David Toms and Lucas Glover. I also would not be suprised if a Nationwide Grad (Hass, Snedeker, Weekley) steals the spotlight for their first win.
A quick thanks to Golfblogger.com for the shout out.
