Gary Woodland Builds 3-Shot Lead at Houston Open HOUSTON — Gary Woodland expressed relief after openly discussing his mental health struggles, and the confidence showed in his performance Friday at the Houston Open helped him build a three-shot lead heading into the weekend at Memorial Park. The 2019 U.S. Open champion carded a 7-under 63, finishing at 13-under 127, three strokes ahead of Nicolai Hojgaard and Jackson Suber. Woodland’s strong round included three consecutive birdies toward the end of the day, allowing him to create distance from the field. Woodland acknowledged his resilience after a challenging moment on the 13th hole, where a wayward tee shot landed in the water left of the fairway. The error led to a penalty drop and a 4-foot putt to save bogey. Despite the setback, he credited his mental focus for moving past the mistake. “I was proud of myself because what my coach calls an ‘oops,’ I had a bad swing there on 13, and I’ve hit it so well the last couple days, I didn’t let that bother me,” he said. “I told myself to forget about it and move on, and I was able to do that. That was a big change for me to let that go and keep doing what I’ve been doing the last couple days.” The 38-year-old’s performance reflected a well-rounded game, with control over his swing and confidence on the greens. He attributed his improved play to adjustments made after realizing his alignment was off, which led him to switch putters. Woodland also highlighted the support he’s received since publicly discussing his post-traumatic stress disorder, a decision made after undergoing brain surgery in September 2023 to remove a lesion linked to moments of unfounded fear. “I felt ‘1,000 pounds lighter’ after that Golf Channel interview,” he said.#nicolai_hojgaard #memorial_park #gary_woodland #houston_open #jackson_suber
Texas Children's Houston Open Betting Guide: Key Players, DFS Strategies and Course Insights The PGA Tour returns to Memorial Park for the Texas Children's Houston Open, a tournament known for its aggressive layout that rewards long drives and penalizes errant shots. The course’s design emphasizes power off the tee, with narrow fairways and demanding greens that test a player’s ability to recover from mistakes. While distance provides an early advantage, precision and composure around the green become critical for success. This week’s focus is on players who can capitalize on their driving range and maintain consistency under pressure. Min Woo Lee stands out as a top contender, priced at -120 by DraftKings Sportsbook. His elite driving ability, second in strokes gained off the tee, aligns perfectly with the course’s demands. Lee’s ability to create separation with his driver and his reliable short game make him a strong candidate for victory. His performance at Riviera, where he finished T12 despite losing six strokes on approach, highlights his resilience. Even when his iron play falters, his scrambling skills and scoring accuracy keep him in contention. Brooks Koepka, at +120, offers value despite his lack of tee-to-green precision. His strength lies in his iron play, which ranks second in the field over the past 20 rounds. While his driving accuracy isn’t his strongest suit, his length and ability to shape shots around the green give him an edge. Koepka’s familiarity with Memorial Park, having helped shape its setup, adds an extra layer of confidence. His recent streak of top-20 finishes and improving short game make him a reliable play for DFS and betting. Keith Mitchell, priced at +165, presents an attractive option for those seeking upside.#brooks_koepka #texas_childrens_houston_open #min_woo_lee #keith_mitchell #memorial_park
