2018 Valero Texas Open Betting Preview & Prediction

The PGA Tour begins its tour through the Lone Star State this weekend, as San Antonio prepares to host the 2018 Valero Texas Open, at TPC San Antonio (AT&T Oaks). This course is a traditional 7,435 yard par-72 track that rewards those who can hit big with their drivers. However, the winds in Texas this time of year can bring chaos to the game of golf, and if your drive takes you off the fairway, you can end up in big trouble. Last week, the RBC Heritage went down to a playoff, with Satoshi Kodaira prevailing over Si Woo Kim on the third hole of sudden-death play. Many of the younger PGA Tour players are taking the week off, so this is a chance for some of the more experienced players who have been struggling to get back on track. Check out our golf betting preview for this tournament in the shadows of the Alamo.

2018 Valero Texas Open Betting Preview & Prediction

The favorite in San Antonio is Sergio Garcia, who followed up his 2017 win at Augusta with a dreadful outing at the Masters last year, failing to make the cut. Garcia had been playing very well up until the Masters, so this could be the week when he bounces back to get a victory. Matt Kuchar and Adam Scott are also near the top of the odds list. Kuchar had a solid performance at the Masters, really his first complete tournament of the year, so if things keep moving upward for him, he could win here. Scott has only finished in the top 10 three times since the end of 2016, and he’s looking for a positive result against a slightly winnowed field. Charley Hoffman is available at +1800 odds, which seems a little high given that he has been in the top 25 in three of his last four tournaments — several against fields much more stacked than this one. In five of his last six tournaments at TPC San Antonio, he has finished in the top 13 — and he won the Valero Texas Open two years ago. Given the field and the odds, I would jump on betting Hoffman.

Who Has Some Great Betting Value?

When it comes to looking at some value picks, let’s start with Kevin Chappell. His game has been off since the Arnold Palmer, and he has missed the cut two tournaments in a row. However, in three of his last five Texas Opens, he has finished in the top 15, and his recent performance is even better, as he came in fourth in 2016 and picked up his only PGA Tour victory here a year ago. At +3300 odds, he is definitely someone to consider. The RBC Heritage was a solid tournament for Brandt Snedeker, as he came in with the top 25, giving him three top 25 finishes in his last seven tournaments. While Snedeker has not had a win (or come particularly close) this year, he ranks 52nd in driving accuracy percentage and sixth in san save percentage. In 2011, he came in fourth at the Texas Open — and in 25th two years ago. His odds are +3500, making him a possible value pick.

Who Should You Keep Under the Radar?

One golfer who has been finishing well but under the radar lately is Martin Laird. He has cracked the top 10 in two of his last five tournaments, and he won this tournament back in 2013. In three of his last five Texas Opens, he has finished in the top 18 three times. Laird has not won a PGA Tour event since he won here. His odds are +5500, so the value in picking him is clear. Jimmy Walker came in 20th at the Masters, giving him three finishes in the top 30 in his last six tournaments. At the Valero Texas Open, he has fared particularly well, winning the whole thing in 2015 and coming in 13th a year ago. He has also missed the cut in four different tournaments this year, but his success at this course and his long-shot odds of +5500 make him a solid value pick in an open field.