Tiger Woods is noticeably absent from the upcoming Vivant Houston Open, the final PGA Tour test before the Nov. 12 Masters. Ted Potter, on the other hand, will be trying to win the $7 million event at the par-72 Memorial Park Golf Course in Humble, Texas so he can return to the main event in Augusta. 

    Last year, Ted missed the cut with rounds of 73-76, 5 over par - the cut came at even par. Lanto Griffin, who has been playing well recently, won it by a stroke at 14 under, despite a second-round 74. He took home a cool $1,350,000, and is back to defend his title. 

    To repeat, Lanto will have to defeat a strong field, which includes Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Tony Finau, Sergio Garcia, Francesco Molinari, Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Phil Mickelson, Zach Johnson, Scottie Scheffler and Brandt Snedeker. Seminole Brooks Koepka is also back in business along with Gators Brian Gay and Camilo Villegas.

    Gay is in Bermuda for the Bermuda Championship this weekend, and his 4-under 70-68-138 has him tied for 12th at the halfway point. Ryan Armour and Wyndham Clark are deadlocked for the lead at 8 under, one ahead of Kramer Hickok. Villegas slipped in on the cut line of plus 1 with 72-71-143, on the par-71 Port Royal Golf Course layout. 

    Seminole Hank Lebioda also made the cut with 68-72-140, 2 under, and is tied for 25th, but Gator Matt Every missed the cut with 76-73-149.     

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