The Shell Houston Open is a tournament that normally scares off the players from tournament-play for the week. Records show that only 10 people have won a tournament the week prior to a major (Tiger is included in that 10 winning a WGC event in 2001 and then the PGA Championship the very next week). Given that The Masters is the week after the Shell, I am surprised at how many players that could be in contention next week are actually in the field: Sergio Garcia, Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Anthony Kim, Vijay Singh, and Greg Norman - yes...I said Greg Norman.
I think that it is actually a smart move to play the Shell Houston Open. The Golf Channel showed some quick shots of the course and the conditions they are in and they are pretty Augusta-like. The greens were double-rolled putting them near a 13 on the stempmeter and behind most greens are completely shaved down leading a mis-clubbed shot straight into the water with no chance of holding. This would be an opportune time to prepare for the upcoming Major Championship in Augusta, GA.
At the same time, I think this takes character away from Redstone Country Club. Each tournament is significant in its own way. I know they are trying to help players prepare for Augusta, but that's kind of the point each week, to compete in different conditions and be able to play up-to-par and put yourself in contention on any course.
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