We could see a surprisingly interesting week at the Valero Texas Open. <\/p>\n
Date<\/strong>: Thursday May 13 – May 16 The reason: Greg Norman served as a consultant (along with Sergio Garcia) in carving out TPC San Antonio and making it a tough course that requires ball striking along with a bit of distance for success. We\u2019ll keep those criteria in mind when we examine potential picks for this week.<\/p>\n I\u2019d argue that no one gets elite status this week.<\/p>\n Ernie Els<\/strong><\/p>\n Valero Texas Open odds:+1015<\/p>\n In terms of accomplishments this season, Els is head and shoulders above the field this week. He\u2019s first on Tour in money and FedEx Cup points; no one else playing this week is in the top 15 in either category. But, honestly, Els has cooled off. He missed the cut at the Players Championship. His hot streak seems to be over.<\/p>\n Zach Johnson<\/strong><\/p>\n Valero Texas Open odds: +1215<\/p>\n 2010 really hasn\u2019t been Johnson\u2019s year but the defending Valero Texas Open champ is still one of the best ball strikers on Tour. His lack of length may hurt him but he\u2019s still 16th<\/sup> on Tour in driving accuracy, so he warrants a look.<\/p>\n Bo Van Pelt<\/strong><\/p>\n Valero Texas Open odds: +1850<\/p>\n All aboard the Bo Van Pelt bandwagon! Wow. I never thought I\u2019d ever type those words. But the truth is that he leads the Tour in ball striking and has three straight top-fives. He also handles the wind (which is expected this week) well and ranks 24th<\/sup> in driving distance. The stats in his favor are overwhelming this week. Justin Leonard<\/strong><\/p>\n Valero Texas Open odds: +2550<\/p>\n You won\u2019t hear much talk about Leonard this week, as he\u2019s having a poor 2010 season, but he\u2019s always been a strong wind player and he finished fifth at last year\u2019s Valero Texas Open. If you\u2019re thinking about Johnson you may as well switch your bet to Leonard, who offers more than double the sportsbook value.<\/p>\n Adam Scott<\/strong><\/p>\n Valero Texas Open odds: +2550<\/p>\n I\u2019m quite high on Scott this week. He\u2019s third on Tour in ball striking and 17th<\/sup> in driving distance. He\u2019s also quietly posted four top-30 finishes in his last five starts, so he could be due for a strong outing.<\/p>\n John Rollins<\/strong><\/p>\n Valero Texas Open odds: +3250<\/p>\n As his odds attest, he\u2019s almost more of a contender than a sleeper this week. He clicks the ball just right for this course (fourth in ball striking, sixth in total driving) and he has three top-25s in his last four starts. He has a very similar makeup to Scott relative to this tournament but offers more value and is playing a bit better.<\/p>\n Rollins and Scott both jump out at me a bit, but I can\u2019t recommend anyone in good conscience who isn\u2019t Bo Van Pelt. We can try to overthink this one but, if you believe in statistical analysis at all, everything points to Van Pelt winning this week. Make the educated bet.<\/p>\n
\nEvent<\/strong>: Valero Texas Open
\nCourse<\/strong>: TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course), San Antonio, Texas
\nPurse<\/strong>: $6.1 million
\nDefending Champ<\/strong>: Zach Johnson
\nFedEX Cup Points Up For Grabs<\/strong>: 500<\/p>\nTHE ELITE<\/strong><\/h3>\n
THE CONTENDERS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nSOLID PICKS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
THE SLEEPER<\/strong><\/h3>\n
THE PICK<\/strong><\/h3>\n