2016 Valero Texas Open Preview And Picks

Ready for 2016 Valero Texas Open betting predictions? The PGA pros move to Texas this week to play the 2016 Texas Valero Open. TPC San Antonio will host the best in the world on its 7,252 Yards, Par 72 layout. TPC San Antonio has been one of the toughest stops on TOUR annually for a tournament that is not a major – surviving rather than thriving is the name of the game.

2016 Valero Texas Open

When: April 21 – 24, 2016
Golf Course: TPC San Antonio (AT&T Oaks Course) – San Antonio, Texas
Tournament Format: 72-Hole, Four-Day Official PGA TOUR Event
Purse: $6,200,000 / Winner Share: $1,116,000
Par: 7,252 Yards, Par 72
Defending Champion: Jimmy Walker
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today

Greens in Regulation are notoriously tough here – getting it close on your second shot seems almost unreasonably unfair. Driving distance will also be an asset as will a player’s ability to handle the inevitable wind. Minimizing damage with the putter is what makes a champion at TPC San Antonio though – the flat stick, as always will likely be the determining factor in deciding who the last man standing will be.

With that in mind who should we be keeping our eyes on this week? Let’s take a look.

2016 Valero Texas Open Favorites:

Jimmy Walker +1400

The defending champ and Texas native has been good this year, not great – three top 10s and another three top 20s so far including a top 10 back in March at the WGC-Cadillac Championship and top 30s in the Shell Houston Open and Masters. His track history here is good – three top 20s in six starts including that win last year. In a watered-down field Walker’s present form and track history make him the obvious front-runner.

Branden Grace +1600

Got his first North American win last week – could a hangover be coming? He has made the cut here in both appearances but my guess is a hiccup is imminent.

Patrick Reed +1600

Texas guy last seen finishing a disappointing T49 at the Masters. Other than that he’s been pretty good – top 10s in three of his previous four starts. His course history here isn’t great but his present form is nothing to sneeze at – he leads the TOUR with seven top 10s. His stats also point to a good week – he’s 19th on TOUR in strokes gained: tee-to-green and sixth in scrambling which suit this track to a tee.

2016 Valero Texas Open Contenders:

J.B.Holmes +2000

Was last seen finishing a terrific fourth at the Masters and now has five top-11 finishes in last seven starts – consistently good. His track record here isn’t great although he did have top 10s in this event in 2010 and 2011. His game seems to suit this track well indeed – expect a good finish.

Matt Kuchar +2000

One of the bigger names in the field so he is worth mention. He has finished inside the top 25 the last four years here including a T4 in 2014. He enters off a T9 at Harbour Town and a T24 at the Masters. Kuchar sits eleventh on TOUR in adjusted scoring, 21st in both total strokes gained and scoring average and 30th in birdie average – good traits for this track.

Zach Johnson +2000

Is money with his irons, making him a good fit for TPC San Antonio. He is first on TOUR in strokes gained: tee-to-green which should come in handy this week for sure. He’s found the top 10 in two of his last three starts overall (a missed cut at the Masters was a blip) and has top 20 finishes in the last two editions of this event including a T6 in 2014. He also won the Valero in back-to-back years when it was held at La Cantera. Johnson is due for a win – it may come this week on a track that suits him just fine.

Phil Mickelson +2500

Current form is good – three top 5s and another three top 20s this year but his track record here isn’t great – 1-for-2 with a T30 in 2015. With iron play being essential here, Phil could make some noise however.

Charley Hoffman +3000

Enters off a T14 at the RBC Heritage – an event in which he was second heading into the final round. He has been money on this track – six top 15 finishes in as many starts including a T2 in 2011 and a T3 in 2013. He has been in arguably his best career form this year and should threaten again in his favorite event.

Billy Horschel +3300

Texas native has finished third at the Valero in two of the past three years and enters in decent form. He loves tough tracks – San Antonio is definitely one of those. Expect another good week for a player that always shows up in this event.

2016 Valero Texas Open Sleepers (+5000 or higher):

Daniel Summerhays +6000

Worth mentioning because he has finished inside the top 7 in two of the last three editions of the Valero and has been under par in 10 of his last 12 rounds on this track. Course history makes Summerhays an intriguing +6000

Brendan Steele +6600

2011 winner also had a T4 here in 2012 and a T8 in 2015. He hasn’t been great lately but TPC San Antonio always brings the best out in Steele.

Aaron Baddeley +10000

Super-Sleeper time. Baddeley has been playing well this year – four top 10s already and he has played TPC San Antonio well. He has made the cut here all four times he’s played with three top 20s along the way.

2016 Valero Texas Open Picks:

The pick this week is Charley Hoffman at +3000. I know that he always seems to find a way to contend but fall apart but I think this week is different. TPC San Antonio has been kind to him and in a less-than-spectacular field I think he gets an elusive win. He has never produced a result worse than T11 at this event since it moved to the Oaks course win 2010.

My Sleeper is Brendan Steele at +6600. He is another guy that always seems to save his best for this event.

Golf handicapper DAVE B weighs in each week with his top selections. Including top picks and sleepers!

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