The PGA Tour stays in the Lone Star state moving to San Antonio for this week’s Valero Texas Open. The final event before the Masters has attracted a strong field with several players looking to fine tune their game before the major championships start. For the first time in nearly a decade Rory McIlroy will peg it up the week before the Masters, emerging as the betting favorite in the outright market ahead of defending champ Jordan Spieth, who ended a nearly three-year title drought with his victory last year. Bryson DeChambeau returned from a lengthy injury layoff last week looking for better results than he had at the WGC. Rickie Fowler has not qualified to play at Augusta but he can earn a spot in the field with a win this week. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete updated odds list when you’re ready to place a wager.
Odds to Win Valero Texas Open
Rory McIlroy +750
Jordan Spieth +1400
Hideki Matsuyama +1800
Abraham Ancer +2000
Corey Conners +2000
Bryson DeChambeau +2500
Adam Hadwin +3300
Gary Woodland +3300
Maverick McNealy +3300
Si Woo Kim +3300
Chris Kirk +4000
Jhonattan Vegas +4000
Keegan Bradley +4000
Tony Finau +4000
Jason Day +4500
Kevin Streelman +5000
Mito Pereira +5000
Davis Riley +5500
Luke List +5500
Russell Knox +5500
Ryan Palmer +6000
Brendan Steele +6600
Charley Hoffman +6600
Lanto Griffin +6600
Matt Kuchar +6600
Patton Kizzire +6600
Rasmus Hojgaard +6600
Rickie Fowler +6600
Robert MacIntyre +6600
Sahith Theegala +6600
Odds Analysis
Corey Conners +2000
Focus is a huge issue for Connors this week. He had a long run at the WGC and is no doubt looking ahead to the Masters, but the convergence of recent form and course history is hard to ignore. Three years ago he was a Monday qualifier for the VTO and toppled the field to earn the final Masters invitation, so this place has special meaning for him. He played all five days at the WGC beating Dustin Johnson 3 & 1 for third-place following a T26 in THE PLAYERS and T11 in the API. His game is in a good place right now and Connors is worth the investment.
Rickie Fowler +6600
It’s been a difficult stretch for Fowler, who has fallen off the map and is on the verge of missing the field for the Masters for a second straight year. That can change with a win, though there isn’t much to suggest that happening. Stranger things have occurred just take a look at Conners from 2019. There are reasons to be optimistic. First, Fowler is an experienced wind player and that’s sure to come up this week. And second, he’s had success at this joint because of No. 1, finishing T17 in each of his last two starts here. And with an invite to the Masters hanging in the balance expect Fowler to let it all hang out.
Charley Hoffman +6600
Hoffman has been a beast on this layout and comes at a nice price for all his success. He’s the overall money leader at this event adding to that total with a runner-up finish last year. He also has a second in 2019, a win in 2016, and hasn’t missed a cut in 15 starts making him a strong pick in alternate markets as well. Recent form hasn’t been anything special, but his history at TPC San Antonio makes him an intriguing pick, as does the price.
Chris Kirk +4000
Kirk is in the same boat as Fowler in regards to qualifying for the Masters. But unlike Fowler, he’s had a nice run of form leading up to this tournament. Kirk claimed a T5 in the API a few weeks ago preceded by a T7 in the Honda Classic, and he has four top-15s in his last six VTO starts. He’s been on the verge of a title since returning to Tour following a self-imposed hiatus and this joint is a good spot for him to earn that victory, and a trip to Augusta.
Davis Riley +5500
An interesting player at a good price brings plenty of value to the table. Riley nearly won the Valspar in his last start and triumphed on this course last year to win a Korn Ferry Tour event. He’s a risky pick now that he’s on a different odds tier than usual, but there is some upside to throwing down on him. You have to think most of the big names in the field are working on technique ahead of the Masters while Riley is out to get a win. And there’s a good payout if he’s successful.
Course: TPC San Antonio Oaks Course – 7,438 yards, Par 72
Host of this event since 2010, the Oaks Course is a lengthy par 72 that is exposed to the Texas wind, and the gusts will play a big role this week. The yardage requires distance off the tee and we’ll see plenty of drivers this week with three par 5s playing over 590 yards. We’re not going to see many eagles on this layout with the par 5s being three-shot holes, so staying clear of the hazards and carding birdies is what gets you to the weekend. The fairways are forgiving, though things tighten up on approach. Distance, more so than accuracy, will allow players to hit greens in regulation. Weather always seems to be a factor at this course and it will surely have a say in what happens this week.
TV Coverage: Golf Channel, NBC
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