Recently, I wrote how last year's Shell Houston Open was a terrific preparation for the Masters the following week given how many of its participants made the final weekend at Augusta.Friday was the deadline to enter the SHO, five of the top ten ranked players in the world will be there. (Phil Mickelson #2, Steve Stricker #4, Adam Scott #6, K.J. Choi #7, Geoff Ogilvy #10). Ernie Els had planned to attend but withdrew today due to a lingering virus.
Someone told me that there was a Tiger Woods sighting at Houston's River Oaks Country Club on Friday. I'm guessing he was one of the private jet rich guys in town to see Stanford play Texas in the Sweet Sixteen, as Woods is continuing his traditional prep of not playing a tournament the week before a major.
I'm not rich guy private jetting to Augusta for the Masters, but will be attending the SHO next week. I will try to give you a flavor of the tournament that you don't see on TV. The course is in beautiful shape, and I've been told that the greens are already very fast. Even without Tiger, it should have a great field and be worth watching, especially if you are participating in a Masters office pool.




