Jordan Spieth 8\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nSpieth seems to be in a bit of a zone right now – a T-7, T-4, T-17, and win at the Valspar in his last four starts. He finished 10th in this tournament last year and has the game to justify his favorite status this week. His putter is off the charts right now which certainly doesn\u2019t hurt!<\/p>\n
[dfads params=’groups=63742&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n
Dustin Johnson 9\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nThis will mark DJ\u2019s first crack at TPC San Antonio \u2013 zero course history but very good current form. He won the WGC-Cadillac Championship two weeks ago and is arguably the hottest guy on TOUR right now outside of Henrik Stenson who isn\u2019t in the field. Johnson has three top 5s in his last five starts. His length will be an asset and his ability to hit greens is definitely reason to look out for Johnson this week.<\/p>\n
Jimmy Walker 20\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nHas been just OK the last couple of months and was last seen finishing T31 at the WGC-Cadillac Championship which followed a T41 at the Northern Trust Open. He hits greens and is a great scrambler \u2013 perfect attributes for this track but has somehow missed the cut in his last two appearances at this event. Still, Walker is the FedEx Cup points leader and he lives in San Antonio \u2013 you have to think he will be motivated to snap a slump this week.<\/p>\n
2015 Valero Texas Open Contenders:<\/h3>\n
Jim Furyk 22\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nFuryk disappointed in his last start \u2013 a 40th place finish at the Valspar but had a T7, a T14 and a T12 this season before that dud. Furyk had a T3 here in 2013 and T6 last year \u2013 his accuracy off the tee and incredible scrambling have him firmly on the radar again this week. Don\u2019t let his result last time out scare you \u2013 his game is better suited for this track than almost anyone in the field. Against a slightly watered-down bunch, Furyk has a real chance to break through here.<\/p>\n
Matt Kuchar 22\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nKuchar is another guy that is overdue for a win \u2013 he hasn\u2019t hit the top 10 since the Humana! But he was T4 here last year and has been inside the top 22 in his last three appearances. Kuch is fourth in scrambling on TOUR and T4 in par-4 scoring \u2013 great attributes for this tough tack.<\/p>\n
Ryan Palmer 28\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nPalmer has quietly been very good this year \u2013 top 17 in four of seven starts including a T9 last week at Bay Hill and has six top 25s in seven starts overall. Palmer is very good off the tee, he is seventh in driving distance, ninth in strokes gained: tee to green, and fourth in scoring \u2013 all stats that will come in extremely handy this week.<\/p>\n
Kevin Na 33\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nNa will always be remembered for the 16 he took in the 2011 Valero- it made us all feel good about our game! But he rides a streak of three straight top 10 finishes into this week and he did finish T11 on this track last year. Na has been very good lately and seems like good value here.<\/p>\n
Martin Laird 40\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nHas three top 15s already this year and won this event in 2013 \u2013 a year he shot a course record 63. <\/p>\n
[dfads params=’groups=526&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n
Laird was on my list last week as well but his price was a whole lot more appealing then!<\/p>\n
2015 Valero Texas Open Sleepers (50\/1 or higher):<\/h3>\n
Sean O’Hair 55\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nFell apart a bit on Sunday last week but still finished T29 at the Arnold Palmer \u2013 just a week after getting into a playoff at the Valspar and finishing 25th at the Honda. O\u2019Hair is rounding back into form and could be a threat here.<\/p>\n
Nick Watney 55\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nFirst timer here should find this track to his liking. He is accurate off the tee, he hits greens and his scrambling ability is very good. Watney has two top 7 finishes already this year and could make some noise this week too.<\/p>\n
Fredrik Jacobson 75\/1<\/strong><\/p>\nHas gone T-16 last year, T-15 in 2013, T-18 in 2012, T-5 in 2011, and in 2010 he finished 2nd in his last five appearances here \u2013 good numbers on a tough track. His best finish this year is a T32 but he did look OK at times last week.<\/p>\n
2015 Valero Texas Open Picks:<\/h3>\n
The pick this week is Ryan Palmer at 28\/1<\/strong>. A local guy, look for his style to suit the windy conditions very well \u2013 his present form also makes me think that he is due for a win.<\/p>\nMy sleeper is Nick Watney at 55\/1<\/strong>. His stats are just too difficult to ignore ahead of this week. His game is solid and his present form isn\u2019t anything to sneeze at either.<\/p>\n