⛳ Houston Open Round 2 Picks & Predictions: Paul Waring Atop the Leaderboard
Last Updated: March 26, 2026 8:00 PM EDT • 4 minute read Google News Link
My Houston Open Round 2 picks and predictions are locked in as the tournament heads into what should be an exciting day at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, TX. With the leaderboard tightly packed, it creates an excellent opportunity for golf bettors to jump in with live wagers on the outright winner and various finishing positions.
Second-round props can offer strong value if you’ve been following how Thursday’s action played out. Weather won’t be a factor, with dry conditions expected on Friday. The field will be chasing Paul Waring who shot a -7 in the opening round and sits atop the leaderboard.
Let’s dive into the best value plays heading into Friday’s action.
⛳ Houston Open Round 2 leaderboard & odds
Here is Houston Open leaderboard heading into Round 2 at Memorial Park Golf Course; outright odds via FanDuel.
| Position | Golfer | Score (to par) | Odds to win |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Waring | -7 | +3500 |
| 2 | Gary Woodland | -6 | +1200 |
| T-3 | Sam Burns | -5 | +750 |
| T-3 | Tom Hoge | -5 | +4500 |
| T-3 | Michael Brennan | -5 | +2000 |
| T-6 | Marco Penge | -4 | +1300 |
| T-6 | Stephan Jaeger | -4 | +2200 |
| T-6 | Kurt Kitayama | -4 | +1300 |
| T-6 | Matt Wallace | -4 | +3500 |
| T-6 | Zecheng Dou | -4 | +6500 |
📃 Affiliate disclosure
Sportsbook Review may receive a commission if you sign up through our links. Not intended for use in MA. Bonuses not applicable in Ontario. 21+ only. (Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
🏆 Who'll win the Houston Open?
Here are my golf picks for Round 2 of the Houston Open on Friday:
Min Woo Lee (+1800)
Min Woo Lee is in a great position to win the Houston Open after opening with a solid -2, putting him firmly within striking distance of the lead in our Houston Open picks. His elite ball-striking and ability to generate birdie chances make him a serious threat as the tournament progresses.
Lee is the defending champion for a reason, and this setup fits his game perfectly. If he continues to roll the putter at an average level, his upside is higher than most players near the top, giving him a strong chance to surge up the leaderboard this weekend.
💰 Best Round 2 props for the Houston Open
Marco Penge: Top English (+150)
Marco Penge is in a strong position to claim top English honors at the Houston Open after opening with an impressive -4, immediately putting himself near the top of the leaderboard. That fast start gives him a valuable cushion over his countrymen and allows him to play confidently rather than chase. Penge’s length off the tee and aggressive style suit this course, where scoring opportunities are available for players willing to attack.
He’s also shown improved consistency with his irons, creating plenty of birdie looks early in the week. If he continues striking it cleanly and avoids big mistakes, he can maintain his edge. With momentum on his side and a scoreboard advantage already established, Penge has a great chance to finish as the top English golfer.
Sam Burns: Top 10 finish (-115)
Sam Burns is in an excellent position to secure a top-10 finish at the Houston Open after firing an opening-round -5, leaving him tied for second and firmly in contention. That fast start highlights how comfortable he is on this course, where his combination of distance and elite putting can separate him from the field.
Burns is one of the best putters on Tour, and when he gains strokes on the greens like he did Thursday, he becomes extremely dangerous. He’s also striking his irons well, giving himself consistent birdie opportunities. With confidence high and scoreboard pressure still minimal early in the tournament, Burns is well-positioned to stay aggressive. If he maintains this form and avoids costly mistakes, he should remain near the top and comfortably finish inside the top 10.
Chris Gotterup: Top 20 finish (+115)
Chris Gotterup is well-positioned to climb into the top 20 at the Houston Open after opening with a solid -2, placing him in 30th and firmly within striking distance. With multiple rounds remaining, that’s an ideal spot to apply pressure without needing to force anything early.
Gotterup’s length off the tee gives him a clear advantage on this course, allowing him to attack par 5s and create scoring chances. If he sharpens his iron play slightly, he’ll generate more consistent birdie looks. He’s also capable of getting hot with the putter, which is often the key to making a weekend move. Given his current position and skill set, a steady, aggressive approach should be enough for Gotterup to climb the leaderboard and secure a top-20 finish.
☀️ Friday's weather at Memorial Park Golf Course
Weather from Accuweather.com:
| 🌤️ Category | 📊 Details |
|---|---|
| 🌡️ High Temperature | 86 degrees |
| 🌫️ Conditions | Patchy morning fog will reduce visibility; otherwise, very warm with the temperature approaching the record high of 88 |
| 🌬️ Wind | 7 mph |
| 💨 Wind Gusts | 18 mph |
| 🌧️ Precipitation Probability | 2% |
| 🌧️ Expected Precipitation | 0 in |
| ☁️ Cloud Cover | 19% |
💵 My betting record for golf picks
All golf picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since March 7.
| Bet type | Record | Net profit | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 3-7 | -1.1 units ❌ | 54.55% ❌ |
| Long shots (+4500 or higher) | 0-6 | -0.6 units ❌ | 0% ❌ |
LJ Blut