Blog#228 Valero Texas Open

Blog#228 Valero Texas Open

April 3-6, 2025 Par 72

TPC San Antonio Oaks Course

Purse $9.5M +400K 4%

HISTORY

Last year Akshay Bhatia had a 3 shot lead after RD1 and a 4 stroke lead after 3 RDs.

He built a 6 stroke lead in Rd 4 but had to birdie #18 to force a playoff with Danny McCarthy who birdied 8 for his last 9 holes. McCarthy hits the water on the 1st playoff hole and Bhatia wins his 2nd event.

This years tournament has 150 players and winner will be the last invitee to the Masters. Notable names hoping to win are Daniel Berger, Rickie Fowler & Gary Woodland.

The tournament is the 3rd oldest PGA event, started in 1922, and the oldest played

in the same city. Played on this course since 2010. Hardest hole #4 easiest #14th.

Former winners, Byron Nelson, Sam Sneed, Arnold Palmer, Lee Trevino, Jordan Spieth.

MY FAVORITES

1 Tommy Fleetwood 14/1 He is not #1 odds, but I think it is his time to win his 1st.

2 Ludvig Aberg 12/1 Best player, odds are #1, won Genesis in Feb was #25 after RD1.

3 Patrick Cantlay 20/1 Just too good a golfer not win soon.

4 Keegan Bradley 25/1 Two top 10s this year, #6 Sony Open #5 Arnold Palmer.

5 Daniel Berger 40/1 Another veteran who has come close this year.

6 Gary Woodland 55/1 If he can match last weeks performance maybe he wins.

7 Ryan Fox 80/1 Real long shot but played well last week.

8 Eric Cole 110/1 One top 10, missed 4 of 12 cuts this year.

9 Sami Valimaki 150/1 Last 2 Rds last week 64& 62 to finish 4th, 5 for 5 in cuts made.

10 Alejandro Tosi 150/1 Finished 5th last week & 10th at Mexico Open.

MY LONG-SHOTS I think one of above 6 will win, if not maybe one of these.

1 Jordan Spieth 22/1 Placed 10th last year and getting better each week.

2 Akshay Bhatia 28/0 Last years winner, #3 at this years Players.

3 Denny McCarthy 30/1 Made a great run last year to finish 2nd.

4 Keith Mitchell 40/1 First place in RD 1 last 2 weeks, maybe he wins this week.

5 Tony Finau 40/1 Has not done much in 2025 missed 3 of 8 cuts, he is due.

LAST WEEKS SCORECARD

Picked Scottie Scheffer to win, finished 2nd.

Picked Min Woo Lee as 3rd possibility to win, he won.

Picked Rory McIlroy as #1 long-shot at 7/1, finished 5th.