2026 Texas Children's Houston Open: PGA Betting and Fantasy Preview - Key Stats, Course Breakdown, Tournament Trends, TV Times, and More

March 23, 2026

2026 Texas Children's Houston Open betting and fantasy golf preview with key stats, Memorial Park Golf Course breakdown, field analysis, and TV times for this week’s PGA Tour event.

The PGA Tour travels to Houston, Texas, this week for the Texas Children's Houston Open, the first of two stops in Texas leading into the first major of the season. The event takes place at Memorial Park Golf Course and features a 133-player field with a cut after 36 holes.

After skipping last week, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler returns to action looking to regain his form following back-to-back finishes outside the top 20 for the first time since 2023. The good news is that Memorial Park has been a great fit for him, as he has recorded three runner-up finishes in his last four appearances at this event.

For those who have followed my work in the past, you know my betting picks are usually included within this article. This year will be a little different, as my official plays will be part of our RotoBaller PGA Premium offerings. To get access to my top plays throughout the 2026 season, check out our awesome options now. If you are new here, the purpose of this preview is to provide a complete breakdown of everything you need to know about this week’s event. From course details and key statistics to historical trends and field insights, this article is designed to serve as a guide or at least a strong starting point as you build your betting card or DFS lineups. With plenty of opportunity on the board, let’s dive into the 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course and get you fully prepared for the tenth week of the PGA Tour season.

Texas Children’s Houston Open - Tournament Information

• Dates: March 26th – March 29th, 2026
• Location: Houston, Texas, United States
• Course: Memorial Park Golf Course
• Course Type: Parkland
• Par:  70 (5x 3’s / 10x 4’s / 3x 5’s)
• Length: 7,475 yards
• Format: 72-hole stroke play
• Greens: Bermudagrass with Poa trivialis overseed .110”
• Fairways: Perennial ryegrass overseed .400”
• Rough: Perennial ryegrass overseed 1.25”
• Bunkers: 24
• Water Hazard(s): 2 (In-Play on 4 Holes)
• Average Green Size: 7,000 sq. ft.
• Stimpmeter: 12.5 ft.
• Purse/ Winner: $9,900,000 /$1,782,000
• FedEx Cup Points: 500
• Field: 133 Players
• Cut: Top 65 and Ties – 36 Holes
• Playoff Format: Sudden-death (18 repeated)
• Course Scoring Average:
  • 2025: 68.87 (-1.13), Rank 29 of 50
  • 2024: 70.25 (+0.25), Rank 12 of 51
  • 2022: 70.56 (+0.56), Rank 11 of 49
• Historic Cut Line:
  • 2025: -3
  • 2024: +1
  • 2022: E

Texas Children’s Houston Open - Course Information

Course Architect:

• Course Architect: John Bredemus (1936)
• Renovations: Tom Doak (2019)

Comparable Courses:

• Quail Hallow – 2025 PGA Championship/ Truist Championship – RESULTS
• Colonial Country Club – Charles Schwab Challenge – RESULTS
• The Renaissance Club – Genesis Scottish Open – RESULTS

Comparable Location (Houston, Texas):

• TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course) – San Antonio, Texas – Valero Texas Open
• TPC Craig Ranch – McKinney, Texas – THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson
• Colonial Country Club – Fort Worth, Texas – Charles Schwab Challenge

Designer Link (John Bredemus):

• Colonial Country Club – John Bredemus (1936) – Charles Schwab Challenge

Designer Link (Tom Doak):

• The Renaissance Club – Tom Doak (2001) – Genesis Scottish Open
• St. George’s Golf and Country Club – Tom Doak (2014) – 2022 RBC Canadian Open

Comparable Yardage (7,475 Yards):

• Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge – 7,466 Yards – Arnold Palmer Invitational
• The Country Club of Jackson – 7,461 Yards – Sanderson Farms Championship

Comparable Greens (Bermudagrass with Poa trivialis overseed .110”):

• PGA West (Stadium + Tournament Course) – Tifdwarf bermuda .110” w/ Poa overseed .115” – The American Express
• TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course) – TifEagle bermudagrass / Poa trivialis overseed .100” – THE PLAYERS Championship
• Innisbrook Resort (Copperhead Course) – TifEagle bermuda overseeded with Poa Trivialis .115” – Valspar Championship
• Harbour Town Golf Links – Bermuda w/ Poa trivialis overseed .115” – RBC Heritage
• TPC Louisiana – TifEagle bermuda w/ Poa trivialis overseed .100” – Zurich Classic of New Orleans
• Quail Hollow Club – Champion G12 bermudagrass overseeded with Poa trivialis .125” – Truist Championship

Comparable Average Green Size (7,000 sq. ft.):

• PGA WEST (Pete Dye Stadium Course ) – 7, 000 sq. ft. – The American Express
• PGA National (The Champion) – 7, 000 sq. ft. – Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches
• The Renaissance Club – 7, 000 sq. ft. – Genesis Scottish Open
• Black Desert Resort – 7,000 sq. ft. – Black Desert Championship

Texas Children’s Houston Open - TV Information (ET)

• Round 1: Thursday, March 26th, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 8:15 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 2: Friday, March 27th, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 8:15 AM – 3:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
• Round 3: Saturday, March 28th, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 8:15 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • NBC – 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Round 4: Sunday, March 29th, 2026
  • ESPN + (PGA TOUR Live) – 8:15 AM – 1:00 PM
  • Golf Channel – 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
  • NBC – 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Texas Children’s Houston Open - Weather

Texas Children’s Houston Open - Course/Tournament History

The Texas Children’s Houston Open, formerly known as the Houston Open, has a storied history dating back to its inaugural event in 1946. Over the years, the tournament has been played at various courses around the Houston area, including River Oaks Country Club, Memorial Park Golf Course, and The Golf Club of Houston.

In 2020, the event returned to Memorial Park Golf Course after a comprehensive renovation by renowned architect Tom Doak, with input from PGA TOUR star Brooks Koepka. In 2023, Texas Children’s Hospital became the title sponsor, reinforcing the event’s commitment to supporting charitable initiatives.

Memorial Park Golf Course, located in Houston, Texas, has a rich history dating back to 1912 when it was originally constructed as a nine-hole course for military personnel stationed at Camp Logan. In 1935, renowned golf course architect John Bredemus redesigned it into an 18-hole layout, which quickly gained a reputation as one of the finest municipal courses in the country.

Memorial Park has hosted the Houston Open on several occasions, including a return to the PGA TOUR schedule in 2020 after a complete renovation led by Tom Doak, with consultation from Brooks Koepka. The redesign modernized the course while maintaining its original character, creating a challenging yet fair test for the world’s best golfers.

Previous Tournament Venues:

Previous Tournament Names:

Tournament Records:

• Largest Margin of Victory:
  • 4 Strokes – Tony Finau (2023)

• Most Wins at Event:
  • 3 – Curtis Strange (1980, 1986, 1988), Vijay Singh (2002, 2004, 2005)

• 72-Hole Record:
  • 260, Min Woo Lee (2025 at Memorial Park Golf Course)

• 18-Hole Record:
  • 62, Ron Streck (Round 3, 1981 at Woodlands CC), Fred Funk (Round 3, 1992 at TPC Woodlands)

Course Records:

• 72-Hole Record (Memorial Park Golf Course):
  • 260, Min Woo Lee (2025)

• 18-Hole Record (Memorial Park Golf Course):
  • 62, Scottie Scheffler (Round 2, 2021 and Round 2, 2025), Tony Finau (Round 2, 2022 and Round 2, 2024), Gary Woodland (Round 4, 2025), Sami Valimaki (Round 4, 2025)

Texas Children’s Houston Open - Course Guide/ Scorecard

Originally crafted by John Bredemus in 1936, Memorial Park Golf Course features a Par 70 layout, comprising five Par 3s, ten Par 4s, and three Par 5s.

Historically, Memorial Park has played as one of the tougher non-major venues on TOUR, often rewarding patience, discipline, and elite ball striking. However, that narrative was challenged last season when Min Woo Lee set the 72-hole tournament scoring record at 20 under par. That performance raised questions about whether scoring conditions are beginning to soften at this venue or if it was simply an outlier. Factors such as reduced tree coverage following storm damage and minimal wind likely contributed to the unusually low scores. It will be worth monitoring this year to see if that's the new norm for this venue.

The course’s primary defense remains its length, stretching beyond 7,400 yards, paired with relatively narrow fairways. That said, distance has proven to be a major advantage, as players who can overpower the course have found success even without elite accuracy. Missing the fairway here is not nearly as penal as it is at many other venues, allowing longer hitters to stay aggressive off the tee.

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Texas Children’s Houston Open - Notable Par 3s

The five Par 3s range between 155 yards and 237 yards. Last year, all of the par 3s had a scoring average over par except for No. 2 and No. 9.

Hole 7 | Par 3 | 216 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.113 (Difficulty Rank - 2)

Hole 7 is a long Par 3 that is tucked up against the trees and ravine. Depending on where the pin is located, players can land a ball on the front or run one down the slope that splits the green into two tiers. The right side of this green is the safe and favorable side.

Hole 15 | Par 3 | 155 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 3.084 (Difficulty Rank - 4)

Welcome to the loudest hole in Texas. Don't let the distance fool you. This short Par 3 has a difficult green to land on with not much area for a safe miss. With a false front on the right side, a creek short and left, and a very narrow green, this exciting hole will be a challenge for pros and amateurs alike.

Texas Children’s Houston Open - Notable Par 4s

There are ten Par 4s at Memorial Park Golf Course, with the majority of those holes ranging between 400 and 450 yards. No. 17 is the shortest, listed at 405 yards, with the longest being No. 14, playing 529 yards. In terms of scoring average, the toughest par 4 on the course last year was the 1st hole.

Hole 4 | Par 4 | 490 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.079 (Difficulty Rank - 5)

Hole 4 features one of the most important tee shots at Memorial Park Golf Course. From the tee box, it looks like a dog leg left, however, the fairway bends back to the right as you approach the green, creating a very interesting look. When hitting your approach, be cautious of going long, as there is a creek that lines the back of the green.

Hole 17 | Par 4 | 405 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.002 (Difficulty Rank - 9)

One of the more unique looking holes out at Memorial Park Golf Course, the 17th hole is a short Par 4 that requires two precise shots to hit the green in regulation. From the back tees, the fairway takes on an "S" like shape around the retention pond while the green juts out into the water for a tough second shot.

Texas Children’s Houston Open - Notable Par 5s

There are three Par 5s on the course: No. 3, No. 8, and No. 16. All of these holes had a scoring average under par in 2025. Hole No. 3 was the easiest hole on the course last year, with a scoring average of 0.623 below par.

Hole 8 | Par 5 | 625 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.625 (Difficulty Rank - 17)

The longest Par 5 on the course, Hole 8, requires precise shots to maneuver the fairway and reach the green without any issues. The fairway starts with a dog leg right off the tee and then bends back left as you approach the green, bringing out-of-bounds areas into play. On the left edge of the green, a creek can come into play causing a player to favor the right side.

Hole 16 | Par 5 | 616 Yards | 2025 Stroke Average: 4.648 (Difficulty Rank - 16)

This long Par 5 is difficult to go for in two, but not impossible. With a long drive off the tee, the fairway has a downslope that players use to their advantage. But if the ball goes too far left, it can end up in the thick trees forcing a lay up. The green is protected by water on three of its four sides, and not much room behind for a bail out shot.

Featured/ Signature Hole(s): 15, 17

Texas Children’s Houston Open - Key Statistics

As the Texas Children's Houston Open returns to Memorial Park Golf Course, understanding how this course compares to PGA Tour averages can help identify which players are best suited for success. Here’s how Memorial Park Golf Course stacks up statistically:

Strokes Gained: Approach

• Approach play continues to be one of the most important indicators of success at the Texas Children's Houston Open. Over the past four editions of the Texas Children’s Houston Open, three of the winners have ranked 14th or better in Strokes Gained: Approach.

Strokes Gained: Around the Green

• Memorial Park Golf Course poses a significant challenge with its firm, elevated greens and tightly mown runoff areas, making it difficult for players to consistently hold the putting surfaces. This increases the likelihood of missed greens in regulation, placing a premium on short game performance. Over the past four editions of the Texas Children’s Houston Open, three of the winners have ranked 30th or better in Strokes Gained: Around the Green.

Strokes Gained: Putting (Bermudagrass)

• The greens at Memorial Park are Bermudagrass and tend to run fast, especially as the week progresses. Comfort on Bermuda is key, and elite putting has been a major separator here. Each of the last four winners has ranked third or better in Strokes Gained: Putting for the week.

Driving Distance Gained

• At over 7,400 yards, Memorial Park is one of the longer courses on the PGA TOUR. Distance off the tee provides a clear advantage, allowing players to attack longer holes and set up more manageable approach shots.

Par 3 Scoring

• Memorial Park presents a stern test on the par 3s, featuring five in total, including multiple holes that stretch beyond 215 yards. Strong long iron play is essential to avoid dropping shots on these difficult holes.

Par 5 Scoring: 600-650 Yards

• Memorial Park presents a stern test on the par 3s, featuring five in total, including multiple holes that stretch beyond 215 yards. Strong long iron play is essential to avoid dropping shots on these difficult holes.

Scrambling Gained

• Memorial Park Golf Course presents a challenging test with its firm, elevated greens and closely mown runoff areas. These conditions make it difficult for players to hold the greens, leading to an increased likelihood of missed greens in regulation.

Bogey Avoidance

• Bogey avoidance is a critical factor at the Texas Children’s Houston Open due to the demanding nature of Memorial Park Golf Course.  Players who can minimize mistakes and capitalize on scoring opportunities tend to fare better, as evidenced by the past three winners.

Proximity Gained: 200+ Yards

• A large percentage of approach shots at the Copperhead Course come from the 200+ yard range. Players who excel with long irons from these distances will generate more birdie opportunities while minimizing mistakes on a course that punishes poor approach shots.

Comparable Courses and Event History

• Course history at Memorial Park can be valuable, as the layout demands a specific skill set built around distance, long iron play, and a strong performance on the greens. Performance at other long, difficult venues with Bermudagrass greens often translates well here.

Texas Children’s Houston Open - The Field

The 2026 Texas Children's Houston Open features an intriguing 133-player field. The tournament includes just three of the top-20 players in the Official World Golf Ranking, headlined by World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Defending champion Min Woo Lee will be in the field this week, coming off three top-15 finishes in his last four starts.

Basis of qualification for each entrant this week:

• Winner - PGA/U.S. Open Championship
• Winner - World Golf Championship Event
• Winners of the Arnold Palmer, Memorial, Genesis (Last 3 Years )
• Tournament Winner in Past Two Seasons
• Top 70 on Prior Years FedExCup Points List
• Top 100 on prior season FedExCup Fall Points List
• Sponsors Exemptions - Unrestricted
• PGA Section Champion\Player of the Year
• Open Qualifying
• Leading 10 players (not otherwise exempt) on DP World Tour
• Top 20 Prior Season Korn Ferry Tour Points List
• Top 5 from PGA TOUR Q-School
• PGA TOUR University
• Top 30 on Prior Years FedExCup Points List
• Top 100 (Medical)
• 101-110 prior season FedExCup Fall Points List
• Major Medical Extension

Previous Winners in the Field (Event):

• Min Woo Lee – 2025
• Stephan Jaeger – 2024
• Tony Finau – 2022
• Adam Scott – 2007

Debutants in the Field:

• A.J. Ewart, Adrien Saddier, Brian Campbell, Chandler Blanchet, Christo Lamprecht, Daniel Brown, David Ford, Davis Chatfield, Gordon Sargent, Jeffrey Kang, Jimmy Stanger, John Parry, John VanDerLaan, Johnny Keefer, Jordan L Smith, Kensei Hirata, Kristoffer Reitan, Li Haotong, Luke Clanton, Marcelo Rozo, Marco Penge, Mason Howell, Matthieu Pavon, Michael Brennan, Neal Shipley, Pontus Nyholm, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Russell Casey, Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Tom Kim, Zachary Bauchou

Exemptions:

• Bronson Burgoon: Sponsor Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Cole Hammer: Sponsor Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Mason Howell: Sponsor Exemptions - Unrestricted
• Trey Mullinax: Sponsor Exemptions - Unrestricted

Notable Withdraws/ Changes:

• Austin Smotherman (WD), Danny Willett (IN)
• Cam Davis (WD), Jimmy Stanger (IN)
• Ryo Hisatsune (WD), Paul Waring (IN)
• Michael Kim (WD), Jesper Svensson (IN)

Texas Children’s Houston Open - The Odds

Here’s a breakdown of the top players in the field for this year’s Texas Children's Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course, ranked by current betting odds (via DraftKings). The table below details each player’s five most recent finishes on the PGA Tour/ DP World Tour and their last result at the Texas Children's Houston Open. My top plays of the week are included in the PGA Premium package.

Recent Horses for Courses

Recent Donkeys for Courses

Previous Winners' Scores, Prices, and Strokes Gained (Rank at Tournament)

• 2025: Min Woo Lee (-20)
  • Price: 35-1

• 2024: Stephan Jäger (-12)
  • Price: 50-1

• 2023: No Tournament

• 2022: Tony Finau (-16)
  • Price: 22-1

• 2021: Jason Kokrak (-10)
  • Price: 50-1

Previous Winners Incoming Form (Last 5 Starts)

• 2025: Min Woo Lee
  • T20 – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • MC – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
  • T11 – Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches (PGA)
  • 48– The Genesis Invitational (PGA)
  • T17 – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (PGA)
• 2024: Stephan Jäger
  • MC – THE PLAYERS Championship (PGA)
  • T44 – Arnold Palmer Invitational (PGA)
  • MC – Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches (PGA)
  • T3 – Mexico Open (PGA)
  • T71- AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (PGA)
• 2023: No Tournament
• 2022: Tony Finau
  • MC – World Wide Technology Championship (PGA)
  • 9 – TOUR Championship (PGA)
  • T28 – BMW Championship (PGA)
  • T5 – FedEx St. Jude Championship (PGA)
  • WON – Rocket Mortgage Classic (PGA)
• 2021: Jason Kokrak
  • T54 – THE CJ CUP (PGA)
  • MC – Shriners Children’s Open (PGA)
  • T11 – TOUR Championship (PGA)
  • T15 – BMW Championship (PGA)
  • MC – THE NORTHERN TRUST (PGA)

Previous Winners' Finishes at Event

2025: Min Woo Lee

• Tournament Debut

2024: Stephan Jäger

2023: No Tournament

2022: Tony Finau

2021: Jason Kokrak

Best of luck, and as always, you can find me on X @GatorBetting and Instagram @Gator_Sports_Betting!

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