Some key stats, form guide and betting tips for this week's Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
Some key stats, form guide and tips for this week's PGA Tour event - the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio
The PGA Tour remains in the Lone Star State for this week's event at TPC San Antonio.
Designed by Greg Norman, with a little help from Pete Dye and Sergio Garcia, the Oaks Course was opened in January 2010 and laid out over rolling countryside at the base of Texas Hill.
Although TPC San Antonio will be hosting the tournament for only the fourth time, the Texas Open dates back to 1922.
Among its former champions are great names such as Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Lee Trevino and Arnold Palmer.
The latter won the title three years in a row during the early 1960s.
SELECTED PLAYERS with GOOD to REASONABLE FORM at TPC SAN ANTONIO(Two Top-30 Finishes)
Player: '10 / '11 / '12
Matt Every: - / 30 / 2
Brian Gay: - / 23 / 4
Nathan Green: - / 23 / 24
Hunter Haas: - / 15 / 8
Charley Hoffman: 13 / 2 / 13
Freddie Jacobson: 2 / 5 / 18
Brendan Steele: - / Won / 4
Cameron Tringale: 28 / 5 / 8
Charlie Wi: 17 / - / 4
SELECTED PLAYERS with POOR to MEDICORE FORM at TPC SAN ANTONIO(No Top-40 Finishes from two or more starts)
Player: '10 / '11 / '12
Cameron Beckman: MC / MC / 63
Matt Bettencourt: MC / - / MC
Steven Bowditch: - / 66 / MC
Chris DiMarco: Dq / MC / MC
Joe Durant: 41 / - / MC
Tommy Gainey: - / MC / MC
Jason Gore: 53 / - / MC
JJ Henry: MC / 69 / 41
Billy Horschel: - / 74 / 75
Lee Janzen: MC / - / MC
Colt Knost: - / 78 / MC
John Mallinger: MC / - / Wd
Billy Mayfair: MC / 48 / 56
Scott McCarron: MC / MC / -
John Merrick: - / 44 / Wd
Joe Ogilvie: MC / MC / 71
Dicky Pride: MC / - / MC
Chris Riley: MC / 66 / MC
Duffy Waldorf: - / MC / MC
TOP-10 Finishers at TPC SAN ANTONIO in 2012 (Not Listed Above)
Ben Curtis: (Won)
John Huh: (T-2nd)
Bob Estes: (T-4th)
LOWEST 15 STROKE AVERAGES at TPC SAN ANTONIO
Average (Rounds)
70.38: Brendan Steele (8)
70.42: Freddie Jacobson (12
70.50: Charlie Wi (8)
70.58: Charley Hoffman (12)
70.83: Cameron Tringale (12)
71.25: Matt Every (8)
71.25: Tom Gillis (8)
71.38: Brian Gay (8)
71.38: Hunter Haas (8)
71.50: James Driscoll (8)
72.00: Martin Flores (8)
72.00: Ryan Palmer (10)
72.00: Nathan Green (8)
72.33: Bill Lunde (12)
72.33: Chez Reavie (6)
(Min. No. of Rounds = 6)
MOST TOP-25 Finishes in TEXAS(During Last Five Years - since Mar 1st 2008)
Total
7: Charley Hoffman
7: Justin Leonard
6: Brian Davis
6: Matt Kuchar
6: Steve Marino
6: Jeff Overton
6: Ryan Palmer
6: Charlie Wi
5: Jason Bohn
5: James Driscoll
5: Geoff Ogilvy
5: Rod Pampling
5: DA Points
(Does Not Include Tournaments Staged at TPC San Antonio)
LOWEST ROUNDS at TPC SAN ANTONIO
63: Matt Every (2012)
64: Scott Piercy (2010)
64: Ryan Palmer (2010)
65: Three times
66: 11 times
TPC San Antonio: Par 72; 7,522 yards
Winning Totals (Last Three Years):
2012: 279 (Ben Curtis)
2011: 280 (Brendan Steele)
2010: 274 (Adam Scott)
Conclusion:
A narrow but lengthy lay-out, the Greg Norman/Sergio Garcia-designed Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio is a renowned tough test of golf.
With both fairways and greens ranked amongst the toughest to hit on tour, accuracy off the tee and on approach shots is key.
However, the difficult undulating greens means putting skills are also rewarded, demonstrated by the fact Charlie Wi, Freddie Jacobson and last year's champion Ben Curtis have all gone well in the past.
Normally the event takes place directly after the Masters on the schedule, but the fact it comes a week before this time around means a couple of high-profile names are using it to squeeze in some last-minute practice.
Rory McIlroy is chief amongst these and will undoubtedly be the star attraction this week, although given his inconsistent form and lack of course knowledge it would take a brave man to side with the World No 2 at no better than 10/1.
Likewise it would take a leap of faith to back Englishman Ian Poulter despite his claims the course could suit him on his first visit to the event.
Instead we'll look slightly further down the field in search of players who offer a spot more value and proven course form.
Brendan Steele will have very fond memories of this event having won his sole PGA Tour title to date here in 2011. He produced a fine defence last year when finishing fourth and looks worth siding with to go well again.
Also worth a following this week is
Cameron Tringale. The 25-year-old is in excellent form having finished third, 27th and 16th in his last three events. He also has a strong record in San Antonio having made three cuts from three and finished in the top 10 for the past two years.
John Huh is a Texas resident who has a strong record in the state (including finishing as runner-up in this event last year) and looks to be developing into a top-class performer following an impressive rookie season last year that saw him claim a maiden title and reach the Tour Championship.
Best bets
2pts e.w. Brendan Steele at 40/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4,5)
2pt e.w. Cameron Tringale at 25/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4,5)
1pt e.w. John Huh at 50/1 (1/4 1,2,3,4,5)
