We are almost there. The Masters is just a week away, but before that, there is one last tournament. While the Valero Texas Open is no Masters, it holds some weight as the last tune-up before the big show. Last week’s match play champion and Texas native Scottie Scheffler will not be participating this week, and neither will many of golf’s top players. With that being said, notable participants in the field include Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, and Bryson Dechambeau. Past winners of the event tend to not be the highest ranked players in the world, as it is easy to start setting their eyes on a chance for the green jacket next week. The last couple of victors at TPC San Antonio, Spieth and Corey Conners, are playing, however before that, Andrew Landry and Kevin Chappell are just a couple of the past champions at this event. One thing to keep an eye on is that the winner of the Valero Texas Open receives the final invitation to the Masters, so the names beyond the biggest in the field will be desperate to secure their spot in golf’s most prestigious event.
Tony Finau (+3500)
For one of the best golfers in the world, the fact that Finau has just three career wins must leave a sour taste in his mouth. Though the 32-year-old American is an accomplished player and has a guaranteed spot at Augusta, he will surely be looking to compete in a shallow field where he is not considered one of the favorites. Finau seemingly struggles in the spotlight at times, so an event without too much fanfare attached to it by PGA Tour standards is the perfect opportunity for the 2021 Northern Trust champion to go into the Masters with some momentum.
Charley Hoffman (+5800)
+5800 might not seem like anything crazy for a golfer with no victories since 2016, but that win just happened to come at TPC San Antonio. The PGA Tour veteran Hoffman has some serious course history here, having come in second in 2021 and 2019 in addition to his win. Hoffman has not been in good form in 2022, but what better place to get back on track than a place he has found great success at before, and a week before the Masters where he can earn a spot to compete for a green jacket? Expect Charley Hoffman to be in contention at the Valero Texas Open this week.
Doc Redman (+12000)
After participating in the Masters at the age of 20 in 2018, Redman has since struggled to capitalize on the momentum he built early on his career. Redman has not been back to Augusta since, and a disappointing start to 2022 has seen the young American not finish higher than 25th in a tournament. For a player with such immense talent, he will be desperate to get back to the place where golf’s best compete. The Valero Texas Open serves as the Doc’s last chance to qualify for the biggest major, and Redman has found success in Texas before with a top 10 finish at the AT&T Byron Nelson a year ago. Do not count out Redman at such long odds when he will surely be looking to bring his best in San Antonio.
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