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Ben Griffin is the technical standout for Memorial Park. His world-class short game and proficiency in putting from off the green align perfectly with the course’s significant run-off areas. Ranking highly in bogey avoidance and proximity from 200+ yards, Griffin represents the premier value selection at 28/1 for the Houston Open.
Lone Star Excellence: The Challenge of Memorial Park
The PGA Tour migration to Texas marks a significant shift in the competitive landscape as the countdown to the Masters intensifies. The Houston Open, hosted at the municipal Memorial Park Golf Course, offers a unique challenge that deviates from the standard Florida shootouts. This 7,475-yard par-70 layout was drastically overhauled in 2019 by Tom Doak, with strategic input from Brooks Koepka. The result is a beefy course that rewards distance but punishes mental lapses with treacherous greenside run-offs.
Unlike many modern designs that rely on thick rough to defend par, Memorial Park uses short-grass collection areas. This design philosophy forces players who miss greens to display immense touch with their wedges or, more commonly, their putters from well off the putting surface. With the rough scale trimmed to just 1.25 inches, the big hitters can open their shoulders off the tee, but the second shot remains the ultimate arbiter of success.
7,475 Yards
2025 Statistics
Reduced from 54
Run-offs are vital
Why Ben Griffin is the Tactical Outright Selection
Ben Griffin enters the week as one of the most consistent performers on the American circuit. While the market focuses on heavy hitters like Min Woo Lee or former champion Stephan Jaeger, Griffin’s profile matches the unique demands of Memorial Park with surgical precision. Griffin is currently performing as an elite-level scrambler, a skill that is revitalised at a course where traditional bunker play is replaced by complex collection areas.
Analysing his recent form, he secured a T-2 finish at the Cognizant Classic earlier this season, proving he can handle the strategic challenges of difficult layouts. Crucially, Griffin ranks in the top tier for bogey avoidance and proximity from 200+ yards—two metrics that are mandatory for surviving Memorial Park’s long par-4s. At 28/1, his statistical floor is remarkably high, providing the best risk-to-reward ratio in the outright market.
Statistical Dominance: The Second-Shot Game
Memorial Park is often a second-shot golf course. The greens are large, but the effective landing areas are tiny due to false fronts and side-slopes. Griffin’s rank of 6th in strokes gained approach and 8th in proximity from 150-175 yards provides him with the ammunition to find the fat parts of the greens. Once on the surface, his putting metrics are top-tier. Champions here typically rank in the top five for Strokes Gained: Putting, a box Griffin ticks comfortably.
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Field Dynamics and Rival Assessment
The withdrawal of the pre-event favourite Scottie Scheffler has reshuffled the market, leaving Min Woo Lee as the new leader at 12/1. Lee’s power is undisputed, but his short-game consistency often wavers under the pressure of Doak’s optical illusion greens. Brooks Koepka remains a looming threat at the course he helped design, but his putting average has been modest since his return. This vacuum at the top creates the perfect environment for a value pocket winner like Griffin.
Understanding the Betting Market
Outright Winner betting in golf is the pursuit of identifying a single player to finish at the top of the leaderboard after 72 holes. The primary opportunities lie in the Each-Way markets, where bookmakers like BetMGM offer payouts for the top 8 positions. This provides a safety net for a player like Ben Griffin; a second or third-place finish still yields a significant return on investment. The downside is the high volatility; a single bad hole in Doak’s Snake Pit can derail a tournament. However, by focusing on statistical outliers like Griffin, bettors can tilt the probability in their favour.
The Verdict: A Texas Breakthrough
Everything points towards a winner who can minimise mistakes. Memorial Park’s stroke average in 2025 was 68.86, proving that while scoring is possible, the field is often separated by who avoids the big number. Ben Griffin’s reliability and short-game prowess make him the most credible candidate to navigate the four-day marathon. At 28/1, he is the premier value play for the 2026 Houston Open.
Houston Open Outright Q&A
What is an Outright Winner bet in golf?
An Outright Winner bet is a wager on a specific golfer to win the entire tournament by having the lowest total score. If your selected player wins the trophy, your bet pays out at the full odds taken.
Clarifier: Many bettors also play ‘Each-Way’ which pays out if the player finishes in the top 5, 8 or 10 depending on the bookmaker.Is Ben Griffin the favourite for the Houston Open?
No, Min Woo Lee is the current favourite at 12/1. Ben Griffin is a mid-range value play at 28/1, offering a high statistical upside compared to his market price.
Clarifier: Implied probability at 28/1 is approximately 3.4%, which arguably undervalues Griffin’s recent consistency.What makes Memorial Park different from other PGA Tour courses?
Memorial Park is unique because it has very few bunkers and instead uses steep, short-grass run-off areas to protect the greens. This requires players to be creative with their short game and putting from off the green.
Clarifier: Course designer Tom Doak intended this to test the short game imagination of the world’s best players.What are Strokes Gained statistics?
Strokes Gained (SG) measures a golfer’s performance against the field average in specific categories like driving, approach, and putting. Ben Griffin’s high ranking in SG: Putting is a key factor in his selection this week.
Clarifier: SG: Total is widely considered the most credible indicator of a player’s true performance level.Can I watch the Houston Open live in the UK?
Yes, the Houston Open is broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf. Coverage typically begins at 12:30 pm UK time for the early rounds on Thursday and Friday.
Clarifier: You can also use the bet365 live stream link provided if you have a funded account.Who are the main rivals to Ben Griffin this week?
The primary dangers are Min Woo Lee (12/1), Brooks Koepka (who helped design the course), and Adam Scott, who possesses elite ball speed metrics suited for this long layout.
Clarifier: Defending champion Min Woo Lee won here last year with a final score of 20-under par.What impact does the Texas weather have on betting?
Texas is known for significant winds which can make long par-4s play much tougher. Players like Ben Griffin, who have a low ball flight and high scrambling stats, generally handle these conditions better than high-ball hitters.
Clarifier: Wind gusts in Houston can often reach 20-30 mph during the afternoon sessions.What does Each-Way Extra mean on betting sites?
Each-Way Extra allows you to choose the number of places for your each-way bet, such as 10 or 12 places, in exchange for slightly lower odds. This is a popular way to increase the chances of a return on longshot selections.
Clarifier: This feature is particularly useful in golf due to the large fields and high number of ties on the leaderboard.18+ | GambleAware | T&Cs apply | Offer terms not provided — check bookmaker terms. Please bet responsibly. Betting should be for entertainment; set your limits and stop when the fun stops.
