2025 Houston Open: Round 1 Recap
The opening round of the 2025 Houston Open was marked by challenging weather conditions, with rain and wind testing the players at Memorial Park Golf Course. Four competitors emerged at the top of the leaderboard, posting impressive scores of 65: Taylor Pendrith, Keith Mitchell, Alejandro Tosti, and Ryan Gerard
Scottie Scheffler Shines Despite Adverse Conditions
A significant narrative of the day centered around Scottie Scheffler, who continues to regain form after a hand injury during the off-season. He managed to navigate the challenging par 70 layout without a single bogey, finishing with a score of 67, placing him two strokes behind the leaders at 3 under par.
“I felt like I started to play a little bit better on the back nine,” Scheffler remarked. “Conditions were pretty tough out there today with the rain and the wind, so overall nice to keep a clean card.”
Despite a rocky start where he missed several greens in regulation, Scheffler effectively converted crucial par attempts, allowing him to turn up the heat on the back nine with successive birdies on holes 13 and 14, from distances of 20 feet and 37 feet, respectively.
Top Leaders Following Round One
- T1. Taylor Pendrith, Keith Mitchell, Alejandro Tosti, Ryan Gerard (-5)
- 2. Scottie Scheffler (-3)
Returning to Memorial Park, Tosti, who had a near miss last year, stood out with a bogey-free round. His performance is particularly crucial as he aims to solidify his status on the PGA Tour, having faced recent challenges, including a string of missed cuts.
“A lot of emotions,” Tosti shared about his previous year’s finish. “It just crazy to see that one shot can change your career … or the year at least.”
Other Notable Contenders
Several other players demonstrated strong performances, including:
- T5. Jackson Suber, Trey Mullinax, Mac Meissner, Min Woo Lee, Sam Ryder, Victor Perez, Rasmus Højgaard, Eric Cole (-4)
- T13. Ryo Hisatsune, Jesper Svensson, Adam Svensson, Scottie Scheffler, Taylor Dickson (-3)
Min Woo Lee, who recently showcased improved consistency, recorded seven birdies, securing a commendable position for the remainder of the tournament.
Rory McIlroy’s Solid Performance
In his final tournament before attempting to complete the career grand slam at Augusta National, Rory McIlroy opened with an even-par 70. He faced difficulties early on, missing four consecutive greens as he struggled through the rainy conditions. However, his resilience kept him in the game, and he noted:
“Sort of a tale of two halves,” McIlroy explained. “Felt like I was scrambling for the most part on the first nine and then felt like I left a couple out there on the last nine.”
Looking Ahead: Odds and Predictions
As the tournament progresses, the odds via DraftKings Sportsbook have Scottie Scheffler as a favored contender at 3-1, with additional odds for the top competitors:
- Taylor Pendrith: 10-1
- Keith Mitchell: 14-1
- Min Woo Lee: 14-1
- Rory McIlroy: 18-1
- Ryan Gerard: 22-1
As the forecast suggests continued tough weather conditions on Friday, Scheffler’s strong start places him in a strategic position heading into the next rounds of competition.