Shell Houston Open

The tour heads west this week for the Shell Houston Open in Humble Texas.For me one eye will be on the first major of the season "The Masters" played next week at Augusta Georgia.But first this week!!!
The Redstone Golf Club tournament course has hosted this event since 2006 and it is fairly long at 7457 yards and is a par 72 with four par5's.The course has been deliberatly set up to try and make conditions similar to those at Augusta(fast greens reading 13 on stimpmeter etc)There is a fair amount of water hazards and bunkers and the course has not played that easily in the last couple of years but its main defence-"The Texan winds" are not forcast this week.
The course seems to suit big hitters and driving accuracy is not to important.Also alot of the top players may be here just to test their game for next weeks major challenge and would probably be happy with a midfield finish and go to Augusta under the radar.On the flipside there are some players who know that this is their last chance to drive up Magnolia lane next week and need a win here or a big place finish.It's these types of player that i'm looking at this week,not betting to big and eachway on all.Hopefully can get a place or even a winner and look forward to the greatest show on earth next week!!

ROBERT GARRIGUS(100/1 Brucebetting)
I'm starting off with the biggest hitter on the PGA tour.This guys game is built around power but has skills around the greens too.Robert was 5th here in 2007 and has a liking for the course as he has only missed the cut here once.Beaten in a playoff in the season opener at the long Kapalua course which followed his first PGA tour win at Disney.A win here gets him to the Masters next week so he knows what he has to do!!

J.B.HOLMES(33/1 Paddypower)
Can you see the trend...Big hitters!!!!Another who's game is built around power.His form so far this season reads 47-12-13-5-63 so definitely playing great golf in 2011.Has course form here too....was beaten in a playoff by Paul Casey back in 2009.J.B is the highest world ranked player(60th)not to be in the Masters and his only chance of getting there is to win or go close this week.

JASON DAY(45/1 Boylesports)
Another long hitter who has a great record when playing in Texas with an 8th place here in 2008,was 4th in the Crown Plaza in 2009 and won the Byron Nelson last year.A great putter and have a gut feeling we can see him go close if in the hunt come Sunday.

JHONATTAN VEGAS(66/1 Paddypower)
Was hoping to get a better price on rookie of the year Jonny Vegas as 66/1 looks a little skinny and anyone who plays on betfair can get him at 90's.With the exception of Paul Casey all winners here have had pretty good links with Texas-Kim lives there,J.Wagner was born there and Scott has a great record there.Jonny vegas left Venezuela to live in Houston,Texas to study and improve his game.Think he might be happy to leave the courses of Florida behind him as they did not suit his game and  he will feel right at home here in Houston cheered on by family and friends.Hits the ball miles and although his putting looked suspect on the bermuda greens of Florida,is now back on his preferred bent grass greens so look out  for Jonny to get his second PGA tour victory this week!!!
                                               Best of luck!!