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Houston Open: Top 10 power rankings at CC of Houston

By Mike Randleman

HUMBLE, TX - APRIL 01: A detailed view of the flag pin on the 18th hole during the final round of the Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston on April 1, 2018 in Humble, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
HUMBLE, TX - APRIL 01: A detailed view of the flag pin on the 18th hole during the final round of the Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston on April 1, 2018 in Humble, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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HUMBLE, TX – MARCH 29: Jason Kokrak hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston on March 29, 2018 in Humble, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
HUMBLE, TX – MARCH 29: Jason Kokrak hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the first round of the Houston Open at the Golf Club of Houston on March 29, 2018 in Humble, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Jason Kokrak has almost as much course history to fall back on as any in this week’s field. He’s coming to Golf Club of Houston for the eighth time while seeking his fourth straight made cut.

Kokrak’s best result out of four total made cuts at the Houston Open was a solo ninth finish in 2013 (66-69-71-70).

The Canadian is one of the Tour’s top ball strikers. If he can position his ball correctly and keep his bombing style away from too much trouble, he’ll be able to rack up birdie tries.

Even back in 2013 he felt like he had a good grasp of what to do to score well here.

"“There’s holes out there that you can take advantage of, but if you put yourself — the greens are firm, get it into a bunker, short side you’re going to have a tough time getting it up and down,” Kokrak said. “Leave it on right side of the hole and give yourself a lot of opportunities for birdies, you’ll be able to shoot 5, 6-under par. Short side yourself, it won’t be easy.”"

The 34-year-old was 11th on Tour in 2018-19 in strokes gained off the tee (.55) and sixth in SG approach (.745). Kokrak was always putting for birdies, but the flat stick has been his bugaboo (103rd SG, -.018). Fortunately, he’s familiar with these greens and can be aggressive without too much slope to negotiate.

The Xavier product is one of the best players out there without a win. His consistency is to be admired, regardless. He had a streak of 19 made cuts in a row between 2018 and 2019. After a missed cut in June at the Travelers Championship, he went ahead and made four more in a row.

Highlights from the 2018-19 season include a co-runner up at the Valspar Championship, T-10 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and T-9 at the Tour Championship. Making it to East Lake secures his status in all four majors in 2020 and will free him up to perhaps play even better golf this season.

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