– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 2:41 pm
2017 PGA Valero Texas Open Preview and Picks
Ready to bet this weeks on the 2017 PGA Valero Texas Open Odds? The PGA pros head to Texas this week to play the 2017 Valero Texas Open on TPC San Antonio – a 7,435 yard par 72 track that will test every aspect of a player’s game – it is consistently one of the top 10 most difficult tracks the pros play annually.
Length off the tee is obviously an asset here but tight fairways and some thick and lush rough make it so that accuracy is just as important as distance.
On a track that should reward bombers, a look at the history has shown that big hitters aren’t always the victors.
2017 Valero Texas Open
When: April 20-23, 2017
Where: TPC San Antonio, Oaks Course, San Antonio, Texas
Format: 72 holes – Stroke Play
Purse: $6,200,000
Defending Champion: Charley Hoffman
TV Coverage: Golf Channel, NBC
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
Deep and tricky bunkers and lush native areas litter the course furthering the need for accuracy – wind is often a factor here as well. Hitting fairways is essential as is placement of the large-ish, undulating greens. Bogeys will happen this week – they key is to take advantage of the birdie opportunities you have.
So with all of that in mind, who should we keep an extra eye on this week. Let’s break it down.
2017 Valero Texas Open Favorites:
Matt Kuchar +1800
Was slightly disappointing last week but has a stellar Sunday which keeps him the favorite this week – he shot 64 at the Heritage and finished T11 which followed his T4 at the Masters. He has never missed a cut in this event with four straight top 25s including a T4 in 2014 – a tournament he should have won if not for a final round 75!
[dfads params=’groups=248&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
It’s a pretty watered down field this week in Texas – Kuchar should be in the mix at very least!
Brooks Koepka +2000
Hasn’t been great so far this year but has shown signs more recently – a T9 at the WGC-Dell Match Play and a T11 finish at the Masters are proof that Koepka may be ready to explode. His track record here isn’t great either – he missed the cut last year and had a T36 in his debut in 2014. Koepka’s length and newfound putting should be a boon this week – but how much of a boon remains to be seen.
Ryan Moore +2000
Steady as she goes for Moore who enters on a streak of five straight top 35 finishes including a T9 most recently at the Masters. He has played here just once on 2012 and finished T8 and enters full of confidence after his Masters experience. As mentioned, this isn’t the best of fields so Moore could reasonably be the last one standing Sunday.
Charley Hoffman +2000
Defending champion also finished second here in 2011 and T3 in 2013 (top 15 finishes in his seven starts here) – needless to say his track history is pretty impressive. Current form is pretty good too – he was a serious factor for three days at the Masters and he finished second at Bay Hill just a month ago. He wasn’t great last week – everyone is expecting a bounce back from a player that has been a regular standout on this track and on TOUR recently.
2017 Valero Texas Open Contenders:
Jimmy Walker +2500
Local guy and winner of this event in 2015 would love to avenge a missed cut in this event last year – he also had a T3 here in 2010 and a T16 in 2014. He enters on a streak of four straight top 25 finishes including a T18 at the Masters but has just one top 10 on the year. His short game and putting should make him a factor this week on a course he knows well and loves.
Brendan Steele +2500
Earned his first career win in this event back in 2011 and enters this week in pretty good form – 16 straight cuts made including a win during the 2016 portion of the schedule and four more top 20s. Other than his win here he has a T4 in 2012, a T8 in 2015 and a T13 last year on his record. One of the better ball strikers on TOUR, Steele has a chance for his second win this season on a track he’s had his most success.
Billy Horschel +2800
Has been inconsistent this year but arrives at a course he has found to his liking in the past. He finished T3 on this track in 2013, solo third in 2015 and T4 last year – impressive. His recent success on similar tracks including a T4 at the Honda and T13 at Bay Hill has him on my radar this week as well.
[dfads params=’groups=247&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Billy hasn’t been terrific most recently but gets a crack at arguably his favorite course on TOUR. He ranks 11th on TOUR in greens in regulation and is a good bet to make some noise this week.
Kevin Chappell +3300
Hard to believe that Chappell still doesn’t have a win on TOUR – TPC San Antonio offers up a good chance for that elusive win. He finished second here in 2011 and had a T4 last year and a T15 in 2013. His T7 at the Maters a couple of weeks ago may be a sign of things to come for Chappell whose ball striking and newfound confidence shouldn’t be ignored this week.
Ryan Palmer +4000
Texas native hasn’t been great this season but a T11 at Harbour Town last week shows that he may be ready to turn a corner. His tee-to-green game and his affinity to hit greens was evident last week – if it continues here he will have a good week!
He has finished inside the top 15 in the last 3 editions of this tournament including a T4 last year and a T6 in 2015. Momentum and course history have Palmer on the radar this week – especially since the field here isn’t all that eye-popping.
2017 Valero Texas Open Sleepers (+5000 or higher):
Daniel Summerhays +6600
There is only one sleeper worth mentioning this week and that is Mr. Summerhays who has gone T7-T2-T4-T13 in his last four appearances at the Valero Texas Open.
He has been just OK this year but gets my nod simply because of his terrific track record here. Summerhays is going to break through sooner or later – no better time and place that TPC San Antonio this week!
2017 Valero Texas Open Picks:
The pick this week is Charley Hoffman at +2000. The defending champ would love nothing more than to repeat here and avenge his late round melt down at the Masters.
The Sleeper – Summerhays.
Golf handicapper DAVE B weighs in each week with his top selections. Including top picks and sleepers!
Check back each week for your PGA golf gambling, handicapping info & free golf picks.