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Valero Texas Open: Golfer Picks to Win

By Tim Letcher

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 28: Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays his shot on the 12th tee in his match against Billy Horschel of the United States during the final round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 28, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 28: Scottie Scheffler of the United States plays his shot on the 12th tee in his match against Billy Horschel of the United States during the final round of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 28, 2021 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Darren Carroll/Getty Images) /
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In the final tune-up before next week’s Masters, the PGA Tour stops in Texas once again this week. The Valero Texas Open tees off at TPC San Antonio on Thursday with a decent field ready to get that one last event in before the season’s first major.

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Among the favorites this week will be two players who played their college golf in the state of Texas. Both Jordan Spieth and Scottie Scheffler were Texas Longhorns during their college days and both hope to make some noise this week as they get ready for Augusta National.

Pro Golf Now will have plenty of coverage of this week’s event, so check back often for the latest.

For now, here are the PGN staff picks for this week.

Abraham Ancer

Chris O’Day

Corey Conners

West Valentine

He has one of the most effortless swings on Tour and I’ve been impressed with his game all year. The field isn’t stacked this week and a player like Conners has a great chance to grab a win.

Josh Mullenix

Before missing out on the knockout round at the Match Play, Conners had a third place and seventh place finish at the Arnold Palmer and the Players. He also happens to be the defending champ this week. Last year, he made 29 birdies at TPC San Antonio (40% of holes played), finished seventh in fairways hit and was first in GIR hitting 82% of greens. He continues to be a ball striking machine as he’s 11th in driving accuracy and 13th in GIR percentage. He’s gonna hit fairways and make a lot of birdies and few players in the field are as in form as Connors.

Richie Randolph

Tony Finau

DJ Cadden

Charley Hoffman

Hans Geevers

Next. WGC-Match Play: Winners and Losers from Austin. dark

Hideki Matsuyama

Dalton Finkbeiner

In this field, Hideki is easily one of the most talented players. I think this is the exact type of event that can get him back into the winners circle. Every tournament for Hideki comes down to one thing: putting. He currently ranks 170th (!) in Strokes Gained putting. With his iron play, if he can putt at a tour average level for the week, he will be in great shape.

Scottie Scheffler

Michael Ellis

Scheffler looks to rebound after a runner-up finish last week at the Dell Technology Match Play. Scheffler is one of the top players in the field this week and is looking for a strong finish as the players head into Masters week.

Mike Randleman

Scottie Scheffler continues to knock on the door of his first PGA Tour win. It’s not to the point where the 24-year-old Texan should feel any sort of weight on his shoulders, but he’s got to feel due. The Dallas native nearly triumphed in Austin last week where he made it to the championship at the WGC-Match Play.

Joey McCusker

Kathy Bissell

Jordan Spieth

Tim Letcher

He’s been close lately and appears to be getting back to his old self. This is the week that Spieth takes the next step and gets back into the win column.

Mike McAlister

Throw out the T-48 at TPC Sawgrass, a place that can be very hit-or-miss for most players. Spieth has otherwise played well in 2021 and is on the verge of his ending his way-too-long drought. Playing in his home state of Texas but not with the hometown pressures — San Antonio is about a 5-hour drive from Dallas — might just be a successful mix.

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