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Valero Texas Open: Expert Picks

Risky selections this week, most of the players having rough 2018 campaigns

PGA: Valero Texas Open - Third Round Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Tournament Information

Valero Texas Open

Date: April 19th – 22nd

Course: TPC San Antonio

Purse: $6.2MM ($1.1MM to winner)

FedEx points: 500 to winner

2017 Winner: Kevin Chappell (-12)

Course: TPC San Antonio Oaks Course. Built in 2010 by Pete Dye and designed by Greg Norman, this course’s fairways will run a bit tighter than the golfers are used to from other events. Trees line the holes providing a tunnel to guide through each hole. The course is designed to challenge but complement situations. Players going downhill with find the wind coming at them and on the flip side wind will aid their treks uphill. Given these amenities, it is a bit of a wildcard in terms of success.

Starting 4

Ryan Palmer. A mix of missed cuts and top 30 finishes has created an all or nothing result from Ryan. The good news is that Ryan is the only player on tour with top 10 finishes each of the last 3 years at TPC San Antonio (6th in 2015, 4th in 2016 and 6th last year) which bodes well for an all or nothing scenario.

Kevin Chappell. Fresh off a win last year and 4thplace finish in 2016, Kevin had back to back cuts recently at the Masters and RBC Heritage. The last 3 times in his career he had back to back missed cuts he rebounded with a top 30 finish. He’s 8th in strokes gained tee to green and 14th in strokes gained tee to green.

Brendan Steele. 8th here in 2015 and 13th in 2016 before finishing 62nd last year. Prior to missing the cut at the Masters, Brendan had made the prior 10 cuts with only two finishes outside the top 20. 5th in strokes gained off the tee, 15th in strokes gained tee to green and 25th in total strokes gained. He should be a top 5 favorite here.

Shawn Stefani. I am picking a golfer who recently had 6 consecutive missed cuts. Phew, now that I’ve led with the bad, let me turn to the positives. He finished in the top 25 each of the last two tournaments, he has top 30 finishes two of the last three years at Valero (he was looking good last year until he shot 4 over on Sunday)and he’s 41ston the tour in strokes gained putting.

Bench 2

Harold Varner III. Harold has some struggles this season, 5 missed cuts in his last 10 tournaments with no finishes above 35th place. He was 9th here in 2016 and 40th here last year.

Daniel Summerhays. 4th here in 2015 and 13th in 2016 and 58th last year. He’s having a rough 2018 with 4 missed cuts in 8 tournaments and no finishes above 50 but I think that changes this weekend. There isn’t much to flaunt in his game outside of his putting (where he’s 39th in strokes gained).

Poll

which of the big name golfers will do the best this wel at Valero Texas Open?

This poll is closed

  • 16%
    Sergio Garcia
    (10 votes)
  • 8%
    Bill Haas
    (5 votes)
  • 11%
    Matt Kuchar
    (7 votes)
  • 63%
    Charley Hoffman
    (39 votes)
61 votes total Vote Now

2018 Stats

Starting 4: Average finish 38th (30th percentile)

Bench 2: Average finish 39th (30th percentile)