Fantasy Golf Predictions – 2013 Valero Texas Open

Fantasy Golf Predictions for the 2013 Valero Texas Open April 4th – 7th, 2013

The Course:  TPC San Antonio (AT&T Oaks) measures 7,522 yards and plays as a par 72. The Oaks opened in 2010 as one of two courses that sit in the middle of the Texas Hill Country just north of the city of San Antonio. With a flat course design, the Oaks’ tough challenge lies in its narrow fairways and difficult sand traps which can be as much as 12 feet deep.  The native vegetation looms on the side of the fairways which often puts “unplayable lies” into the forefront of the players’ minds. Remember two years ago when Kevin Na recorded a 16 at the par-4 ninth hole after struggling to get out of the vegetation that engulfed his golf ball?  It certainly can be a dangerous track if not played with these hazards in mind.

Photo courtesy of TPC.com

The Weather in San Antonio, TX (from Weather.com):

• Round 1: Thursday (Apr 4) 76 degrees, 0% chance of rain, AM Clouds/PM Sun.
• Round 2: Friday (Apr 5) 79 degrees, 10% chance of rain, partly cloudy.
• Round 3: Saturday (Apr 6) 82 degrees, 0% chance of rain, partly cloudy.
• Round 4: Sunday (Apr 7) 86 degrees, 10% chance of rain, partly cloudy.

Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win:

• Charl Schwartzel (Golficity Odds 8/1): This is Charl’s first run at TPC San Antonio and he’s finished no worse than a pair of T16s in his last 11 stroke-play starts worldwide. Schwartzel tied for fourth two weeks ago in Malaysia and led the TOUR in adjusted scoring.  He’s playing quite well this year and knows how to make cuts and capitalize on days 3 and 4.
• Matt Kuchar (Golficity Odds 10/1): We know Kuchar thrives on tight tracks so the layout at TPC San Antonio should play out well for him.  In his only appearance last year, Kuch tied for 13^th and ranked T8 in greens in regulation for the week. His last appearance was at Copperhead where he placed T14. Matt is currently 10th on TOUR in bogey avoidance and ranks No. 9 on the World Golf Rankings.
• Jimmy Walker (Golficity Odds 15/1): The Oaks are right in this San Antonio native’s back yard.  Walker finished T3 in the first edition at TPC San Antonio in 2010, but since, he’s gone 0-for-2 and hasn’t broken 74 in four rounds.  Although that sounds like a sure missed cut, you can’t rule out the fact that he’s had a heck of a season thus far and is really making a name for himself on TOUR.  With three top 10s in nine cuts made, we haven’t seen the last of Walker in our “Top 5 Picks to Win” edition.
• Ian Poulter (Golficity Odds 18/1):  The always colorfully dressed Poulter made it into our top-5 this week even though this is his first appearance in San Antonio. Ian currently ranks 19th in strokes gained-putting, ninth in scrambling and T41 in par-4 scoring average. Poulter hasn’t missed a cut anywhere in his last 33 starts – which is why we like him here before heading to Augusta.
• Billy Horschel (Golficity Odds 22/1): Horschel is a name we don’t hear much of… but he’s 2-for-2 in cuts made at TPC San Antonio, even though he averaged 75.125 in his eight rounds. But forget all that for a moment because Horschel actually leads the TOUR with 20 consecutive cuts made. Yes…leads the TOUR!  Billy also finished nicely at T2 in Houston last week where he led the field in strokes gained-putting and par breakers.

Sleeper Picks/Odds to Win:

• Frederick Jacobson (Golficity Odds 50/1):  Jacobson arrives in San Antonio with an active streak of five consecutive top 25s and has already qualified for the Masters. In his last three starts at this event, he’s finished second, T5 and T18. Freddy “Jac” knows this track pretty well, and you can bet on the fact he’s pumped up for the Masters.
• Justin Leonard (Golficity Odds 66/1):  Leonard enters this week fighting for the last qualifying spot for the Masters.  With a T4 at the Tampa Bay Championship and a T50 last week,  Leonard looks too continue his strong season of 8 made cuts out of 9 tournaments played.    With a win this week, Leonard would qualify for his 1st Masters since missing the cut in 2010 at Augusta.

Last Week’s Fantasy Golf Predictions Results (The Shell Houston Open)

Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win:

• Hunter Mahan (Golficity Odds 8/1): MC
• Keegan Bradley (Golficity Odds 10/1):  T10
• Brandt Snedeker (Golficity Odds 15/1): MC
• Jimmy Walker (Golficity Odds 18/1): T50
• Phil Mickelson (Golficity Odds 22/1): T16

Sleeper Picks/Odds to Win:

• Charles Howell III (Golficity Odds 50/1): T10
• Frederick Jacobson (Golficity Odds 70/1): DNP

2013 “Top 5 Picks/Sleepers” Winners: 3 for 10

2013 “Top 5 Picks/Sleepers” Runner Ups: 3 for 10

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