Memorial Park Golf Course
We head to Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, Texas for the Texas Children’s Houston Open, and this is one of those setups that looks simple on the surface but creates real separation when you understand what actually matters. This is not a tight, tree lined course that forces accuracy. This is a long, strategic layout that allows players to be aggressive but demands control where it counts.
Memorial Park is a par 70 that stretches to around 7,430 yards. The course was originally designed by John Bredemus and later redesigned by Tom Doak with input from Brooks Koepka. What we see now is a modern test that relies on length, approach play, and green complexes rather than penal hazards. Off the tee, the course is wide and forgiving, allowing players to miss without immediately taking themselves out of the hole. There are very few fairway bunkers and water only comes into play on four holes, so this is not a course where players are constantly navigating danger. It is a course that invites aggression.
The greens are TifEagle Bermuda and serve as one of the primary defenses. They are firm with subtle movement and runoff areas that place a premium on approach precision and short game creativity. If players are not dialed in with their irons, they will consistently find themselves in difficult spots around the greens and lose strokes quickly.
Last year, Min Woo Lee won this event at 20 under par, edging out Scottie Scheffler and Gary Woodland by one stroke. He entered Sunday with a multi shot lead and looked in full control, but things tightened up late after a mistake on 16 brought the field back into it before he was able to close it out. It was a high level ball striking performance with just enough composure down the stretch to hold off the best player in the world.
Winning scores here have typically landed in the mid teens under par range, but last year showed that if conditions are there and a player gets hot, this course can be taken deep. The field average still tends to sit slightly over par, which reinforces that this is not a free scoring environment across the board.
One key storyline this week is the absence of Scottie Scheffler, who was expected to be in the field but has since withdrawn. There has been no real explanation, and you are already hearing the noise about form and recent finishes, but from an Outsider perspective, there is nothing to overreact to. He has simply looked human for a couple rounds here and there while still playing at an elite level. This feels more like a strategic step back ahead of the major, a chance to dial things in without the pressure, the spotlight, and all the nonsense that comes with it. If anything, it is a reminder not to chase narratives and instead stay grounded in what we actually know.
This course presents multiple paths to success. Bombers can take advantage of the space off the tee. Strong iron players can separate on approach. Creative short games can keep players alive when they miss. But when we are looking for a true edge in DFS, there is a very specific profile that continues to show up.
Metrics That Matter
Apex Height
This is the number one trait to focus on this week. Players who generate a higher apex are able to land the ball softer on firm Bermuda greens, especially from long distances. On a course like Memorial Park where a large portion of approach shots are coming from 200 yards and beyond, that ability to launch it high and control descent becomes a major advantage. It allows players to hold greens that others simply cannot, especially on longer par fours and second shots into par fives.
Strokes Gained Tee to Green
This is a full ball striking test, and that is exactly what this course demands. With the layout being wide off the tee, players are encouraged to be aggressive, but they still need to pair that with elite approach play. Strokes gained tee to green helps identify players who are not only gaining distance off the tee, but are also consistently setting themselves up with quality looks into the greens. This is where separation is created over four rounds.
Approach 200 to 225 Yards
This range is critical due to the number of long par fours on the course, including multiple holes stretching beyond 500 yards. Players will be forced into these distances repeatedly, and those who excel here will consistently give themselves birdie opportunities while others are just trying to survive. This is not a one off situation during the round, this is a repeated demand that will expose weak long iron players quickly.
Approach 250 Plus Yards
This is where things really get interesting. Between reachable par fives and longer second shots after missed fairways, players are going to find themselves in this range more often than usual. Memorial Park gives players the opportunity to be aggressive and go for greens in two, but that comes with risk. The players who can control these shots, shape them, and land them with some level of precision gain a massive edge. Even on misses, having the ability to advance the ball effectively from this distance sets up easier up and downs and scoring opportunities.
Pitfalls and DFS Mistakes
The first major pitfall this week revolves around ownership at the top, specifically with Min Woo Lee. As last year’s winner and now the highest priced player on the slate with Scottie Scheffler out, he is going to attract a significant amount of attention. There is no denying he has a clear path to success here given how well his skill set aligns with this course, but this is where discipline comes into play. You want exposure, but you do not want to blindly overload and end up eating unnecessary ownership in large field tournaments. This is a spot where being mindful of how much you have, rather than simply locking him in everywhere, can create leverage.
The second pitfall is overvaluing pure driving distance without considering how that distance is being used. This course is wide open and does allow players to be aggressive, but it is not just about bombing it as far as possible. The real edge comes from players who can pair distance with control, specifically through apex height and ball flight. Being able to launch the ball high and land it softly on these greens is far more important than simply gaining extra yards off the tee. Players who rely strictly on distance without that control can find themselves in difficult spots, especially with runoff areas and firm green complexes that punish imprecise approaches.
The third pitfall is getting too locked into the metrics without understanding how certain player types consistently perform at this course. There are players who return here year after year and produce top 10 and top 15 finishes, and those names are going to stand out and carry ownership. The mistake is not playing them, it is playing too many of them together in the same lineup. Loading up on four or five of these course history type players in one build limits your ceiling and creates duplication risk. The sharper approach is to spread exposure across those reliable performers while pairing them with lower owned, higher upside players who fit the key metrics. That balance is where you create real leverage.
Top of the Slate Without Scheffler
Scottie Scheffler was originally expected to headline this slate and was priced at a ridiculous 14,800 on DraftKings, which honestly felt a bit comical given his recent results. Yes, he has been elite, and yes, this course sets up extremely well for his game with the wide fairways minimizing his occasional driving issues and allowing his iron play to take over, but the pricing still felt aggressive based on current form. It likely stemmed from his strong history here and the fact that this course rewards exactly what he does best.
With him now out of the field, everything changes.
This slate opens up in a big way, not just from a pricing standpoint, but from a mindset perspective across the entire field. Without that dominant presence at the top, you now have a group of players who realistically feel like they can go out and win this tournament. This is a course that encourages aggression, especially for longer hitters, and you are going to see players attack it with that mindset. Guys who can drive it long, hit it high, and get hot with the putter are absolutely live to contend.
From a pricing standpoint, this slate is extremely balanced. You have a large cluster of players in the 9K range, another strong group in the 8K range, a deep mid tier in the 7K range, and then the rest of the field sitting in the 6Ks. What that creates is flexibility. You are not forced into any one build, and more importantly, you are not forced to dumpster dive for salary relief.
Ownership is still going to condense, though. You are likely going to see several players push into that high ownership range, with names like Min Woo Lee, Jake Knapp, and others drawing heavy attention. That is where the edge comes in.
This is a week where being unique is not only possible, it is necessary.
Instead of jamming multiple high owned players into the same lineup, the sharper approach is to spread exposure and differentiate through construction. There are going to be plenty of viable options in the 7K and 8K ranges, and even some in the 6Ks who have real upside. Finding one of those lower priced players who can push for a top five finish could be the key to taking down a tournament.
This is also a week where different narratives are in play. You have players with strong course history, players who fit the key metrics perfectly, and players with limited experience here who bring unknown upside. Blending those elements together instead of relying on one single angle is where you create leverage.
The approach this week is going to be about balance. Looking at recent form, course history, and the key metrics, while still allowing room for volatility and upside. Exposure will be spread across the stronger plays at the top, but the real focus will be on building lineups that are unique in how those pieces are put together.
This is not a week to play it safe. This is a week to build with intention, embrace the variance, and take advantage of a slate that is far more open than it appears on the surface.
9K Range Targets
Min Woo Lee 9900 underweight
Last year’s winner comes in playing solid golf with consistent finishes and no real red flags. The metrics line up well for this course, and he clearly has a path to success again. The only concern here is ownership, so while he is a strong play, this is a spot to be slightly under the field and gain leverage if he does not separate.
Chris Gotterup 9800 on par
Recent form has been shaky, with a missed cut and a disappointing finish last week, but this is the type of course that sets up perfectly for his skill set. The length and openness allow him to play aggressively, which gives him upside even if the form is not ideal. This feels like a neutral stance where you stay right around the field and let the course fit do the work.
Sam Burns 9700 overweight
This is one of the more interesting leverage plays in the range. Burns has shown strong course history here with multiple top finishes and is coming off a solid performance last week. His accuracy issues are less of a concern on this layout, and if he is hitting it well enough off the tee, his short game and scoring ability can put him right in contention.
Brooks Koepka 9600 overweight
Brooks is starting to show signs of life again, especially with the putter, and has strung together a few solid finishes. The added angle of his involvement in the course redesign only strengthens the case. This is a player who understands the layout, fits the profile, and has the upside to win if things click.
Jake Knapp 9500 on par
Knapp had been playing excellent golf before a slight dip last week, making this a strong bounce back spot. His aggressive style and ability to score fit well here, especially on a course that rewards length and attacking play. This is a spot to stay in line with the field and not overreact to one off performance.
Kurt Kitayama 9300 underweight
He has made the cut here in recent years but has not shown anything that stands out in terms of upside or course dominance. With other players in this range offering more ceiling and better fit, this is a spot to come in under the field while still maintaining some exposure.
Adam Scott 9000 overweight
This is the type of setup where Adam Scott can quietly contend. He thrives on longer courses, has a strong tee to green game, and does not get punished as much here for any accuracy concerns. In a weaker field, this feels like a spot where he can fly under the radar and put himself in position late.
8K Range Targets
Ben Griffin 8800 overweight
This is an uncomfortable click, and that is exactly why it works. Griffin has been playing poorly this season, but last week showed something important. The ball striking improved while the putter fell off, which is actually a positive sign given that he is typically more reliable on the greens. His profile suggests those bad putting weeks are not the norm. Now he gets a course that allows him to be aggressive off the tee without being punished for misses, which fits him much better. At what should be low ownership, this is a buy low spot on a player you still believe in. This is the type of early stand that can pay off in a big way.
Ryan Gerard 8400 underweight
Gerard is likely going to pick up ownership off last year’s top ten finish and a respectable recent performance, but this feels like a spot to come in under the field. His game does not appear to be in the same place it was last year, and more importantly, he does not profile well for this course. He is one of the lower apex players on tour, and that lack of height and power could put him at a disadvantage on these longer approach shots. This is a spot to stay well below the field and look elsewhere for upside.
Michael Thorbjornsen 8200 slightly underweight
The talent is obvious, and he is starting to put things together, especially after a strong showing last week where much of his game clicked. The concern is consistency. He has had a difficult time putting together back to back complete performances, and now he is likely to carry elevated ownership in this range. While he absolutely has the upside to play well again, this is a spot to be slightly under the field and avoid overexposure in what could be a volatile follow up week.
Rasmus Hojgaard 8100 on par
This is an interesting bounce back candidate at a very reasonable price. Coming off a rough week, he should not carry overwhelming ownership, and we know the upside is there when the approach play and putter come together. This course gives him room to be aggressive, and if he finds any rhythm with his irons, he has clear top ten potential. This feels like a balanced exposure spot where you stay around the field and let the upside play out.
Pearson Coody 8000 on par
Cootie is a strong ball striker who fits the profile of a player that can take advantage of this setup. He has the ability to generate distance and be aggressive off the tee, which sets up scoring opportunities on a course like this. The question will always come down to the putter, but if he can dial in his proximity and give himself consistent looks, he has the upside to get hot and do real damage. This feels like a spot to stay around the field and let the talent play out.
7K Range Targets
Stephan Jaeger 7900 overweight
Jaeger is gaining traction for a reason, and this is a course that fits him extremely well. He is playing with confidence and coming off a strong performance, and his skill set aligns with what this layout demands. This is the type of environment where he can stay aggressive and continue that momentum. With ownership expected to be elevated, this is still a spot where you lean in and come in over the field.
Taylor Pendrith 7900 overweight
This is a classic boom or bust play, and that is exactly what we are targeting in this range. Pendrith has not been playing great, but he showed last year with a top five finish that he can absolutely succeed here. This course allows him to use his length and be aggressive, which is where he does his best work. At what should be moderate ownership, this is a spot to take a stand on the upside.
Sahith Theegala 7600 underweight
Theegala is likely going to draw ownership in this range, but this does not feel like the right spot to chase it. He does not profile as a strong fit for this course, especially off the tee, and has not shown much success here historically. Coming off a missed cut, there are also questions around form. With limited true upside relative to ownership, this is a spot to come in under the field.
Davis Thompson 7500 overweight
This is an upside driven play. Thompson grades out well for this course, and when the putter cooperates, he has the ability to contend. There were signs of improvement on the greens last week, which is encouraging. At what should be low ownership, this is a strong outsider type play who can outperform his price if everything clicks.
Sungjae Im 7500 underweight
Coming off a strong finish, Sungjae is likely to carry attention, but this does not feel like an ideal fit for him. This course rewards a different profile, and it is difficult to see him repeating that level of performance here. With ownership expected to be elevated relative to his fit, this is a clear spot to stay under the field.
Gary Woodland 7400 overweight
Woodland is starting to show signs of turning things around, and this is a course that fits him extremely well. He can take advantage of the wide fairways, use his length, and give himself strong looks into these greens. At reasonable ownership, this is a spot to lean in on a player whose skill set aligns perfectly with the demands of the course.
Ryan Fox 7400 overweight
Fox fits the exact mold we are looking for this week. He is a bomber off the tee, can be aggressive, and has the ability to get hot with the putter. This course sets up perfectly for his style of play, and at this price, the upside is significant. This is a spot to come in over the field and bet on that ceiling.
Mackenzie Hughes 7100 overweight
This is one of the most consistent course history plays on the board, and it is hard to ignore. Hughes has repeatedly shown up here with strong finishes and clearly feels comfortable on this layout. He may not be the flashiest name in this range, which could keep ownership in check, but the consistency is undeniable. This is the type of steady performer who can absolutely land in the optimal lineup at this price.
6K Range Targets
This is a very interesting range this week because it is not even necessary to dip down here unless you are intentionally trying to get different. With the way pricing is structured, you can comfortably build lineups in the 7K and 8K ranges without needing to reach into the 6Ks. That said, this is where you can create real separation. Ownership across this range is going to be extremely low, with very few players even approaching five percent. That opens the door for true dart throws that can swing a tournament if you hit the right one.
Alejandro Tosti 6900 outsider mojo
Tosti stands out as one of the few players in this range with real course success, posting back to back top five finishes here. He is a bomber who fits the profile of this course, and even if he carries the highest ownership in this tier, it is still going to be low relative to the rest of the slate. This is a spot where the upside is very real if he continues that trend.
Kevin Yu 6700 outsider mojo
Yu brings a nice combination of recent form and prior success at this course with a top 20 finish last year. He has enough length to take advantage of the setup and has shown flashes of solid all around play. In a range like this, that combination of form and fit makes him a very viable dart.
John Keefer 6700 outsider mojo
Keefer is a pure upside swing. He has not played here before, but the length off the tee fits exactly what we are looking for. The putter can be volatile, but if he can find even an average week on the greens, his off the tee game gives him a path to outperform this price in a big way.
A.J. Ewart 6600 outsider mojo
Ewart is quietly playing very solid golf, gaining strokes across multiple categories and showing consistency tee to green. He is trending in the right direction and coming off a strong putting performance. This is the type of low owned play that can differentiate a lineup while still having a realistic path to a strong finish.
Matthieu Pavon 6600 outsider mojo
Pavon is more of a pure dart, but the upside comes from the putter. When he gets hot on the greens, he can absolutely spike a finish. This is not about consistency, this is about catching the right week at very low ownership.
Isaiah Salinda 6500 outsider mojo
Salinda has already shown he can perform here with a strong finish last year and brings solid length off the tee. The putter is the concern, but if he finds anything close to average on the greens, the rest of his game gives him a real chance to outperform this number.
Gordon Sargent 6400 outsider mojo
This is the definition of grip it and rip it. Sargent is one of the longest hitters in this field and fits the aggressive profile this course allows. The putter has been inconsistent, but he has shown signs of improvement recently, even gaining strokes in multiple recent events. As a young player with nothing to lose, this is a high upside dart who can create scoring opportunities in bunches if things click.
Davis Ford 6400 outsider mojo
Ford has already shown he can spike with top 15 type finishes, and that is exactly what we are chasing at this price. He has not played here, but if he finds one of those ceiling performances again, he can absolutely be a difference maker in tournaments.
John VanDerLaan 6300 outsider mojo
This is about as deep as it gets. VanDerLaan has shown some sneaky form recently and has the length to compete on a course like this. This is not a core play, but an outside the box dart for those looking to get extremely unique in large field builds.
Frankie’s Fade of the Week: Kurt Kitayama
“Hey meatballs… they call this guy the Quadfather… Quadzilla…”
“But me?”
“I call him Lord Farquaad.”
“Because he may be short in stature…”
“…but he commands respect on the golf course.”
“Now listen…”
“I don’t trust this guy.”
“I don’t trust a guy built like a fire hydrant…”
“…but consistent as a broken sprinkler.”
“Too much ownership…”
“Too much hype…”
“Not enough consistency.”
“I’m out.”
Lineup Construction Philosophy
With Scottie Scheffler out of the field, this slate opens up in a big way, and that is going to push ownership throughout the 7K and above ranges. You are going to see a lot of lineups built around those mid to upper tiers, which creates an opportunity to get different in how you construct.
This is a week where dipping into the 6K range is not necessary, but it can absolutely be a way to separate. Leaving some money on the table, finding one of those outsider mojo plays that can spike, and building a lineup that does not follow the standard construction could be the difference.
It is also a viable approach to fade portions of the 9K range and build more balanced lineups through the 7K and 8K tiers. There is a lot of depth there, and plenty of players with real paths to success. Mixing those mid range players with a few well placed dart plays instead of jamming in multiple high owned names is where you start to create leverage.
You want to blend different angles this week. Course history players who consistently show up here, strong metric fits that align with the layout, and a few lower owned upside plays that can break the slate. It is not about locking into one single stat or one specific angle. It is about understanding the full picture and building lineups that make sense for this course and this field.
This is also a week to stay disciplined with your player pool. You can eliminate a large portion of the field and focus on the guys you believe in, but each lineup still needs to be built with intention. Every piece should serve a purpose, and every build should give you a path to being unique in a large field tournament. Mix it up, spread exposure, stay intentional, and trust your process this week because this slate is wide open and full of opportunity.
Let’s go win a fucking GPP. It only takes one.
