From Valero to Masters: Who to Watch
Texas Open has Ramifications for Augusta
Final Masters Prep
The Valero Texas Open isn’t just another PGA Tour event for many golfers in the field and PGA golf odds are available.
It’s the last chance for players to either make the Masters field or hone their skills before the first major of the year, so everything is on the line at TPC San Antonio.
Defending champion Jordan Spieth is heading to the Masters, where he is on the third line of betting.
Repeat Win Looming for Spieth
Heading into last year’s Valero Texas Open, American superstar Jordan Spieth hadn’t won for three years.
The breakthrough win saw a resurgent Spieth contest at the top of the leaderboard, but he needs to find confidence heading into his favorite tournament of the year.
Spieth loves playing at the Masters. He owns a win and four top-three finishes at the Masters, which is an incredible record.
His worst finish came when running T46 in 2020, so he loves playing Augusta and he’ll be using the Texas Open as a warmup. That’s not to say he’s without a chance to win as he always plays to win.
Spieth is one of the highest-ranked PGA golfers in the field and we expect him to be tough to beat this week. We also expect him to be tough to beat in the Masters at -1200, which is a fair price from bookmakers.
Sink or Swim for McIlroy
Rory McIlroy is in a similar boat as Spieth. He has been underperforming and is in desperate need of a confidence boost at the Valero Texas Open.
The Northern Irishman hasn’t played this tournament for eight years, but he owns a second-place finish behind Martin Laird in 2013, so it has been a happy hunting ground.
It shows how desperate McIlroy is to find form before heading to Augusta. He has yet to win the Masters, but he has recorded some close finishes.
He owns three top-five finishes and six top-10s. However, he missed the cut last year and he hasn’t won a major since winning the 2014 PGA Championship.
PGA golf odds have McIlroy at +750 to win the Masters, but he’ll be shorter to win the Texas Open. He could be worth following in both tournaments because he’s a class act when he sinks a few putts.
Fowler to Avoid Howler
Rickie Fowler has yet to qualify for the 2022 Masters and he needs to win the Valero Texas Open to secure his spot.
It has been a tough stretch for the former superstar who is having a crisis of confidence. However, once a classy player, always a classy player.
The 33-year-old has made three consecutive cuts, but he has shot over par in his last two. It followed three straight missed cuts, so it’s a step in the right direction.
Fowler just needs to start making a few more birdies and he can once again compete for the win on the PGA Tour.
Our PGA value guide has Fowler as a chance to win the Texas Open, so he shouldn’t be discounted from earning his spot in the Masters field.
For golf betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
