The Texas Children’s Houston Open is just days from teeing off. And the world No. 1 golfer is suddenly no longer in the field.
Scottie Scheffler was originally the betting favorite to win the Houston Open, which gets underway on Thursday. He has one win and three top-10 finishes in 2026, and was the runner-up to win the Houston Open last year. Scheffler is also a fixture at Texas-based PGA Tour events since Dallas is his home base, and this weekend’s tournament at Memorial Park Golf Course serves as a good tune-up ahead of the Masters.
Then, on Tuesday, Scheffler withdrew from the tournament. Why did he take himself out of the field, and who is the new betting favorite ahead of opening tee times?
Scottie Scheffler (WD), Matt Kuchar (IN) Bud Cauley (WD), Seamus Power (IN)
Why Scottie Scheffler Withdrew from the Houston Open
Golf fans concerned about the world No. 1’s well-being can breathe a sigh of relief, as Scottie Scheffler reportedly didn’t withdraw due to injury.
Golf Channel reported Tuesday that Scheffler bowed out of the Houston Open because he and his wife are expecting the birth of their second child.
“While the timing is not ideal for Houston Open organizers, the arrival comes ahead of the Masters, which begins in two weeks. Scheffler, a two-time green jacket winner, was most recently T-22 at The Players two Sundays ago,” Golf Channel said.
“Scheffler and his wife, Meredith, welcomed their first child, son Bennett, on May 8, 2024, a few weeks after Scheffler’s second Masters victory and days before the 2024 PGA Championship. He also won the RBC Heritage the week after that Masters, and didn’t miss any tournaments he was slated to play.”
Great news for the world No. 1 ahead of the Masters in two weeks.
The New Betting Favorite to Win the Houston Open
Despite a few tough finishes this season, Scottie Scheffler was the initial betting favorite heading into this weekend’s event. Golf.com reported Monday that Scheffler was roughly a +300 odd-to-win favorite.
And now?
Min Woo Lee, who bested Scheffler at the Houston Open last year, has taken over as the favorite to win the Houston Open. The Australian, who has two top-10 finishes to start the 2026 season, is listed at +1500 odds at DraftKings to be the outright winner. He is listed at +168 odds to finish in the top 10.
Last year’s victory was the first of Lee’s PGA Tour career. The 27-year-old became the first pro “since Paul Casey in 2009 to win at their first start in Houston,” the Texas Children’s website said. He also set a tournament record by finishing 20 under par.
Lee actually entered the third round trailing Scheffler by one stroke, but played a 63 on Saturday to move into the lead. He took a four-stroke lead into Sunday’s final round, where he held off Scheffler and Gary Woodland for the win by one stroke.
“Even with a four-shot lead going into the last day in Houston, it was tough,” Lee said in a “Player Blog” entry for PGATour.com. “Scottie was making a charge, but I was proud with how I kept myself in it.”
The 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open tees off on Thursday, March 26.
Who’s the Houston Open Favorite with Scottie Scheffler Out?