2021 Texas Open: Top 10 power rankings at TPC San Antonio

The PGA Tour sticks around in Texas for the second straight week as we arrive to the Valero Texas Open.

Last week, the state capital Austin welcomed in the world’s best for the WGC-Dell Match Play. Now we head about 75 miles southwest to San Antonio to the Oaks course at TPC San Antonio.

The Greg Norman design has hosted the Texas Open since it opened in 2010. It’s a par 72 measuring 7,435 yards. The grass type is bermuda throughout with a rye overseed in the fairways and rough and on the greens an overseed of poa trivialis and velvet bent.

The fairways are fairly generous and the rough usually isn’t too penal. The course’s main defense is the usual windy conditions predominant here and throughout Texas. There’s room for off-line tee shots and approaches, but going too far astray can lead to native areas and big numbers.

Players who can hit a cut off the tee will benefit on several holes. Length isn’t a prerequisite to win, but it can give a player an advantage on the par-5s where three play over 590 yards on the card.

This week’s weather forecast is dry with temperatures generally in the 50s to low 70s. Winds look like they’ll be pretty steady between 10-20 miles per hour. Could we see some firm and fast conditions?

The PGA Tour tends to err on the side of soft greens. With that said, drying them out would be a good prep for Augusta National next week.

There are always going to be players who like to compete the week before a major. Some do it by routine, while others decide last-minute they need the extra reps.

World No. 1 Dustin Johnson committed at the deadline Friday shortly after losing his final group play match at the WGC-Match Play. It seemed like he wanted to come get some more reps in before defending his green jacket, but he withdrew on Monday.

These power rankings have been updated to reflect his absence.

His absence leaves No. 13 Tony Finau as the highest ranked player in the Official World Golf Rankings in the field. Finau is one of eight of the top 50 teeing it up at TPC San Antonio.

Had it not been a jam-packed Q1 of the year that featured stacked West Coast and Florida swings, as well as the WGC up the road a week ago, there may be more talent on hand. Players need the rest, but that doesn’t mean you, the fan, need to rest from enjoying the golf and perhaps winning some wagers.

Let’s dive into who could be throwing on the cowboy boots in celebration come Sunday night in the heart of Texas: