2016 Shell Houston Open Tip – Phil Mickleson

The Shell Houston Open returns to the Golf Club of Houston in Humble, which has played host to this event since 2003, and from 2007 has been held the week before the Masters.

The 7,441yd Par 72 track will again be set up by the officials in order to replicate the test that many of this quality field will face at Augusta next week. With lightning quick undulating putting surfaces, shaved banks and collection areas around the greens, this layout has a definite Augusta feel about it. The fairways are fairly generous, and the course sets up perfectly for attacking players, who also have a solid short game. The signature hole, and statistically the toughest hole, is the 488yd Par 4 18th hole, which has water running down the entire left-hand side, and consistently ranks amongst the toughest holes on the PGA Tour.

The forecast is predominantly sunny for the four days of the tournament, and with only light winds, expect another low scoring renewal this year.

Tip: Phil Mickelson 20/1 E/W Ladbrokes

Despite his drubbing off Patrick Reed in the group stage of the WGC-Dell Match Play last week, there were still plenty of positives to be gained from the performance of Lefty. He looked in great form in his first two matches in the group, resulting in two victories, and the early exit from that potentially energy sapping event may actually prove to be a blessing in disguise this week.

Mickelson has had a really solid start to the season, showing his well-documented split from his long time coach Butch Harmon at the end of last year is already starting to pay dividends. He finished runner-up at Pebble Beach, where he really should have won, and also finished 5th in the high-quality WGC event at Doral. The 45-year-old won the 2011 renewal at this track, and also finished Tied 4th the following year, so this Augusta type of setup seems to fire up this three time previous Masters champion.