PGA DFS Picks for The Houston Open 2025: Experts High on Jake Knapp, J.J. Spaun

We are two weeks out from the Masters! The stars are warming up, and so should we. Let's dive into DFS and betting for the Texas Children's Houston Open.

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Houston Open Odds

Houston Open Date, Time, and Where To Watch

• Date: March 27-30, 2025
• Where: Memorial Park Golf Course, Houston, Texas
• Where To Watch: Golf Channel, NBC

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Houston Open Tournament and Course Overview: Memorial Park Golf Course

The Houston Open is held at the Memorial Park Golf Course, a par-70 layout measuring 7,435 yards and a surprisingly difficult course. The field features 144 players with a cut line set at the top 65 and ties.

While tee-to-green performance isn’t as essential as it is at other events, solid approach play and strong around-the-green skills are important. You don’t have to be accurate off the tee - but distance matters - and players who excel with longer irons will have an edge.

As your resident Houstonian, I have good news and bad news regarding weather.

Bad News - Wind will be a factor. Gusts have been aggressive lately, and there’s rain in the forecast for Thursday and potentially Friday.

Good news - The wind will be a factor for everyone and you don’t need to adjust your builds based on weather waves.

Houston Open Key Factors for Success

• Approach Play: Precision with mid to long irons is important with the number of long par 4s and tough pin positions.
• Around the Green: Run-off areas and undulating greens require a solid short game.
• Putting: One of the most important skill sets this week - gaining strokes on the greens can be a major separator.
• Driving Distance: Accuracy is less important than distance. Bombers can thrive here, especially with weather in play.
• Versatility: All-around players who can handle a bit of everything tend to rise to the top.

Houston Open DraftKings DFS Picks

PGA DFS Core Lineup

• Aaron Rai ($9,800): Rai’s recent form is impressive, particularly in approach play. While his putting can be inconsistent, his overall game aligns well here. His course history screams “winner.”
• Alex Smalley ($8,300): Smalley was a victim of the bad weather wave last week. He’s been on fire for the past two months. While he missed the cut at the Houston Open last year, he has two prior top-20 finishes.
• Joe Highsmith ($7,800): The past month has been fantastic for Highsmith, aside from a single missed cut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He picked up a win at the Cognizant Classic and continues to roll with strong strokes gained putting.

PGA DFS Value Plays

I typically like to give some $6K range players, but this week’s field leans more toward dart throws in that range. While we do want some value plays to help pay up for Scottie and Rory, dipping into the $6K range is a bit too volatile. My preference is to hit the $7K range hard.

• Jake Knapp ($7,700): Knapp was another weather wave victim last week, but prior to Valspar, he hadn’t missed a cut since the AmEx. He’s in excellent form, and his putting could be the true key this week.
• Davis Riley ($7,600): Riley isn’t particularly popping in one specific stat, but he’s well-rounded, in good recent form, and has excellent course history, including a T14 finish here last year.
• Victor Perez ($7,100): Perez has two top-30 finishes this month and is trending in the right direction. His putting has been a little underwhelming, but he’s coming off a strong performance on the greens at Valspar.
• Matti Schmid ($7,000): Schmid is another player who’s had a strong March, posting three top-30 finishes. He also finished T21 at last year’s Houston Open.

PGA DFS Additional Plays

• Scottie Scheffler ($12,700) & Rory McIlroy ($11,700): I’m not including them as a core play because either one of the two should be incorporated into your builds around the core. If I have a slight lean, it’s towards Scheffler. He needs to feel a win prior to the Masters.
• J.J. Spaun ($9,900): Spaun was a value play in my last article, but his incredible performance at The Players has made his salary rise significantly, despite the strong field. Still, he’s worth the pay up. He’s in excellent recent form and fits the course well.
• Tony Finau ($9,200): Finau won here in 2022 and was runner-up in 2024. The course history is enough to make up for his highly concerning recent form. However, the good news is that his volatile play brings lower ownership that could be the difference maker in your lineups.
• Others: Jacob Bridgeman ($8,400), Maverick McNealy ($8,300), Matt McCarty ($7,000)

Houston Open Betting Picks

• Outright Winner: Jake Knapp (+7500), Alex Smalley (+5500) Click here for complete Houston Open Odds
• Top 5 Finish: Thomas Detry (+1100), J.J. Spaun (+700)
• Top 10 Finish: Joe Highsmith (+550), Davis Riley (+850)
• Top 20 Finish: Victor Perez (+400), Matt McCarty (+400) Get oddschecker+ right now for just $0.99 per month. Don't miss out on this first month deal!