With just one week to go until the first Major, there are some big-name absentees for the Valero Texas Open 2023, which is a shame considering this is one of the most historic events on the Tour. First run in 1922, it should still provide an entertaining four days, but can we make this a profitable week? This preview with its betting predictions and picks aims to ensure it is.
England’s Tyrrell Hatton is one of the few golfers to make the short trip from last week’s WGC Matchplay. Hatton failed to make it out of his qualifying group, but that doesn’t prevent him from starting as the clear favorite at best industry odds of 12/1. While he has no great record in this event, Hatton carries a high ranking and has won seven times across the PGA and DP World Tours.
Behind the market leader, there is a gap to Rickie Fowler who is at 14/1 in some places, but he can be found at a top price of 20/1. Fowler heads the Power Rankings this week with six Top 20 finishes coming into Thursday.
Behind the market leaders, Si Woo Kim and Corey Conners follow with both men available at a best of 22/1. Conners is our first former Texas Open champion having lifted the trophy here in 2019. His current form isn’t great, but he has an excellent overall record on this course. Kim finished in a tie for fourth in that 2019 edition and that was one of four Top 25s in five visits.
Moving through this section, Hideki Matsuyama is listed at 25/1, but potential backers will need to check that he has recovered from the neck injury that forced him to withdraw from the WGC Matchplay. Also available at 25/1 is Taylor Montgomery while Davis Riley and Chris Kirk are further back at 28/1. Kirk is rated highly this week with three top ten finishes in the Texas Open, plus a tie for 13th.
Other players to consider from among the chasing pack might include Matt Kuchar at 30/1 and J.J. Spaun at 33/1. Spaun is the defending Texas Open champion having edged our Kuchar and Matt Jones by two strokes last year. He is also on a roll after a solid showing at the Matchplay.
The outsiders section is led by Alex Noren at a best of 40/1, while Ryan Fox and Brendon Todd are next at a top price of 45/1. Fox is attracting interest after a bright start to the season. He is making his debut at the Texas Open, but has already landed three top 20 finishes in maiden events this year.
Our most recent winner on Tour follows at best odds of 50/1. Matt Wallace held his nerve to win the Corales Puntacana by one shot over Nicolai Hojgaard on Sunday. The 32-year-old had enjoyed some solid returns on the PGA Tour and he is a multiple winner in his native Europe. Hojgaard will also attract some backers this week at that same top price of 50/1.
Other names to mention from among the outsiders include Andrew Putnam at 55/1, Nick Taylor at 55/1, Adam Schenk at 66/1, Byeong-Hun An at 80/1, Sepp Straka at 100/1 and Ben Martin at 100/1. Of those names, Ben Martin is of interest after recording three top 13 finishes in recent weeks.
Our Preview’s Texas Open 2023 Course & Betting Trends with Picks & Predictions
The Valero Texas Open is played at the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio. It is a par 72 and one of the longest locations on the circuit, coming in at around 7,435 yards. There will be some advantages for the distance hitters in places, if they can combine that power with accuracy.
Gusty conditions over the first two days would enhance that need for accuracy so we are looking for a solid all-rounder from among this pack. As the last qualifier for the Masters, there is a desperate scramble for places while those who have already made it to Augusta take a rest. As a result, we have a field of mixed quality and this is a tough call.
One name that keeps coming back to us is that of Chris Kirk. He has that promising combination of a good record in this tournament, coupled with solid form ahead of Thursday’s first tee time. A winner at the PGA National last month, Kirk is already through to the Masters, but that should make him calmer, while others may lose their cool. This preview adds a further three top 10 finish betting predictions to the main selection of Kirk. So the 2023 Texas Open picks are:
- Chris Kirk to win @ best odds of +2800 (28/1) with Bovada or EveryGame.
- Top 10 Finishes (all odds from BetOnline, who are best odds on these tips): Chris Kirk (+350), J.J. Spaun (+400), Matt Wallace (+550), Ben Martin (+750).
Matt Harris is a golf and soccer expert for USA Betting. His other area of specialist knowledge is cricket. He is well known in sports journalism and contributes articles to a plethora of big-name websites and media outlets. Titles that he writes or has written for include: Betfair, BetVictor, Unibet & Just Bookies.