PGA betting – Valero Texas Open Preview/Predictions
Golf betting doesn’t have to stop just because the big tournaments are done for a while, and that’s the attitude a few select “name” golfers likely had when they entered the somewhat weak field for this week’s Valero Texas Open odds. Should sportsbook bettors stick with the names they know or is there major value in a no-name this week?
Tourney favorite Zach Johnson (+1050) isn’t playing his best golf right now, but he’s not slumping horribly either. The name of the game at La Cantera Golf Club, host of the Texas Open, is accuracy. The last five winners all finished the week in the top 10 in driving accuracy. Among that group: Johnson himself, the defending Texas Open champ. He’s again among the golf betting leaders in driving accuracy (13th) so he has a good shot to defend his title in this low-scoring dart-throwing contest.
It’s somewhat surprising that Justin Leonard (+1215) isn’t the No. 1 favorite to win the Texas Open odds considering he’s won the tournament three times. He’s been his usual underwhelming self in golf betting this season but, like Johnson, his accuracy ranks are solid, meaning he’s as good an online sport betting pick as any this week.
If you’re enamored with big-name golfers, you’ll fall into a trap and get burned by Anthony Kim (+1815) and Stephen Ames (+2250). Kim’s season has been just awful; he has one top-15 finish. There is a glimmer of hope with him this week, though, as the consistently low winning scores favor aggressive players. Sportsbook players can’t say the same about Ames, however. No point beating around the bush; he’s been flat-out awful this season and shows no signs of improvement, so why would he deserve any online sports bets this week?
OK, OK. If you’re waiting for the sleeper golf lines, here’s the best one: Brian Davis at +5050. Crazy underdog picks don’t get much better than him. Reason #1: he has 12 straight rounds of par or better, good for the longest active streak in golf betting. Reason #2: he very quietly posted four straight under-par rounds at the Players Championship, which had a much tougher field than the Texas Open does, and placed fifth. If you like to take chances, he’s your man.
In the end, as sexy as Davis is, I still like Johnson. His sportsbook value is better than you usually get for a “favorite,” he’s the defending champ, and La Cantera rewards his type of game.
Online sport betting pick: Zach Johnson +1050
