2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open Picks And Plays
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HOUSTON, TEXAS - Min Woo Lee the defending Champion of the Texas Children's Houston Open (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
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Getty ImagesThe PGA Tour wraps up the Florida Swing and shifts to Texas, where Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston presents a compelling test. Renovoated by Tom Doak, the course offers elements that mirror some of the strategic demands players will face at Augusta National. In a 133-player field, competitors fall into two distinct categories: those fine-tuning their games ahead of the Masters and those still looking to secure a spot, hoping to play their way into the season’s first major in a few weeks.
It goes without saying that even though Scottie Scheffler hasn’t quite played to his usual standard in recent starts, his track record here remains elite, with three runner-up finishes in the past four years. Beyond Scheffler, the question becomes: which players are poised to make noise on the leaderboard and give themselves a legitimate chance to hoist the trophy on Sunday?
Brooks Koepka
PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA - MARCH 21: Brooks Koepka of the United States reacts on the fifth green during the third round of the Valspar Championship 2026 at Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club on March 21, 2026 in Palm Harbor, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesSince returning to the PGA Tour, Brooks Koepka has reestablished himself as a legitimate threat. Like the Koepka of old, his iron play has been the driving force behind his resurgence, as he currently ranks second in Strokes Gained: Approach on the year, trailing only Collin Morikawa. He finished T-18 at last week’s Valspar, but if he’s going to find his way back into the winner’s circle, tightening up his bogey avoidance will be key.
Koepka has long been known as a big-game hunter, and with the Masters looming, expect him to push to get into contention sooner rather than later.
Adam Scott
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 13: Adam Scott of Australia looks on from the 11th green during the second round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2026 at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on March 13, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesSpeaking of resurgence, Adam Scott has opened 2026 with clear intent at the ripe age of 45. Already known for one of the most technically sound swings in the game, he has added swing speed—following a similar path to fellow veteran Justin Rose. The results have followed: six made cuts in six starts, highlighted by a fourth-place finish at The Genesis Invitational and a T-11 at Bay Hill. Much like Brooks Koepka, Scott’s iron play has been the catalyst. He currently ranks ninth in Strokes Gained: Approach, 12th in ball striking, and 16th in tee-to-green.
While the former Masters champion did not tee it up in this event last year, a fresh look at Memorial Park combined with a confident, in-form swing could bring out his best this week.
Michael Thorbjornsen
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 14: Michael Thorbjornsen of the United States reacts on the fifth green during the third round of THE PLAYERS Championship 2026 at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on March 14, 2026 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesAlthough his Sunday at The Players Championship a few weeks ago didn’t go as planned, competing in the final group served as a valuable learning experience for the young bomber. With newfound consistency in 2026, Thorbjornsen has begun to establish himself as a weekend regular while occasionally pushing into contention. A T-3 finish at the Waste Management Phoenix Open highlights a stretch of solid results. Statistically, there’s a clear path forward. Putting remains the lone area where he is consistently losing strokes, but nearly every other facet of his game is trending in the right direction. Memorial Park appears to suit his strengths well. He ranks 15th in proximity gained from 200+ yards, 23rd in bogey avoidance since the start of January, and 19th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green, a key metric on this layout.
The question now is whether he can apply those lessons and finally break through.
Marco Penge
PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Marco Penge of England plays a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of The Genesis Invitational 2026 at Riviera Country Club on February 20, 2026 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesComing off another week in contention, this PGA Tour rookie is beginning to find his footing. On a tight, demanding layout that doesn’t naturally suit his aggressive approach off the tee, he still managed a T-4 finish at the Valspar. Pair that with a strong showing at The Genesis Invitational, and the momentum is clearly building. This week’s setup should play more into his strengths. He ranks first on Tour in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and is averaging 186.86 mph in ball speed, good for eighth on Tour, numbers that position him to take full advantage of a more forgiving, driver-friendly layout.
The Brit’s game is fun to watch, will he be entertaining all of us come Sunday afternoon?
Chris Gotterup
HONOLULU, HAWAII - JANUARY 18: Chris Gotterup of the United States reacts to his winning putt on the 18th green during the final round of the Sony Open in Hawaii 2026 at Waialae Country Club on January 18, 2026 in Honolulu, Hawaii. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Getty ImagesNoticing a trend? Another bomber looks primed for a big week. Chris Gotterup isn’t just power and brawn, he’s already a four-time winner on Tour, with two of those victories coming in the 2026 calendar year. Statistically, there are few weaknesses in his full-swing game, as he continues to excel off the tee and through the bag. The question, as is often the case, lies with the putter. It can run hot and cold, and it will need to cooperate on Poa greens that can be difficult to read and even tougher to trust. Gotterup finished T-18 here a year ago and will look to build on that result.
Everything is bigger in Texas—and a win this week would be another massive statement for one of the game’s emerging power players.