Valero Texas Open 2026 Betting Tips: Straka to strike in San Antonio?

Gary Woodland produced one of the most uplifting moments on the PGA Tour at last week’s Houston Open, capturing his first title since undergoing brain surgery in 2023. Having recently spoken candidly about his ongoing battle with PTSD, his impressive five-shot victory was as much a demonstration of resilience as golfing performance, earning him the respect and admiration of everyone following his story.

With that win, Woodland also booked a return to The Masters in two weeks’ time. Players now get one final chance to prepare or qualify for the first major of the season, as we head to TPC San Antonio for the Texas Open.

Our golf tipster Jamie Worsley is back with five more each-way picks this week, so let's check out his Valero Texas Open 2026 Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights...

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

Sports Welcome Offer

New customers only. Deposit via Debit Card & place first bet £10+ (1/1+) on Sports in 7 days. £30 Sports & £20 Acca Free Bets within 10 hrs of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility, payment excl. & T&Cs Apply.

*You can bet on the tournament and check out the latest Valero Texas Open Odds over on betfred.com

TOURNAMENT HISTORY 

The Texas Open was first held in 1922, making it one of the oldest events on the PGA Tour. It is always played around the San Antonio area and has been the official precursor to The Masters since 2019.

This long-standing championship boasts a star-packed list of past champions, with Walter Hagen (1923), Byron Nelson (1940), Ben Hogan (1946), Sam Snead (1948, 1950), Hale Irwin (1977), and Lee Trevino (1980) all lifting the title.

However, two players have enjoyed more success in the event than any other, recording three wins apiece: Arnold Palmer (1960, 1961, 1962) and Justin Leonard (2000, 2001, 2007).

Last five winners:

• 2025

Winner: Brian Harman (-9)

Runner-up: Ryan Gerard (-6)

• 2024

Winner: Akshay Bhatia (-20, playoff)

Runner-up: Denny McCarthy (-20)

• 2023

Winner: Corey Conners (-15)

Runner-up: Sam Stevens (-14)

• 2022

Winner: J.J. Spaun (-13)

Runners-up: Matt Jones, Matt Kuchar (-11)

• 2021

Winner: Jordan Spieth (-18)

Runner-up: Charley Hoffman (-16)

Brian Harman produced a dominant performance to win last year. Opening up a four-shot lead at the halfway point after a pair of 66s, he held on during arduous weekend conditions, firing rounds of 72 and 75 to win by three. Harman returns to defend this week.

THE COURSE

TPC San Antonio – Oaks Course

• Original architect / Year opened: Greg Norman / 2010
• Latest renovation: Excluding a bunker renovation in 2021, the course has largely remained unchanged
• Previous tournaments: TPC San Antonio Championship – Korn Ferry Tour (2020)
• Par / Yardage: Par 72 / 7438 yards
• Hole breakdown:
  • 4x par 3s (171-241yds)
  • 10x par 4s (347-481yds)
  • 4x par 5s (553-604yds)
• Course style: Gently rolling and spacious parkland course, featuring a mixture of open and tree-lined holes. It provides one of the most demanding ball-striking tests on the PGA Tour
• Fairways:
  • Narrow, doglegging fairways (third-lowest driving accuracy percentage on tour)
  • Rough isn't usually too penal but will be thicker this year, up to 3 inches from 2.25 last year
  • Strategic bunkering offers added protection
• Greens:
  • Average-to-large (6,400 sq. ft.) bermudagrass greens overseeded with poa trivialis
  • Slender and angled with steep run-offs, these predominantly elevated surfaces are the seventh-toughest to hit
  • Cavernous bunkers guard many but with generally slow speeds, the short-game challenge isn't severe
• Defences:
  • Large, deep and strategically-placed bunkers
  • Wind is often a factor in Texas
  • With water in play on just three holes, it's the exacting ball-striking demands that are the real defence
• Average winning score: -14.7 (last 10 editions)

TPC San Antonio is a slog of a layout where birdies are hard to come by, with the par 5s regularly rating among the hardest to birdie on tour. That said, it does have an exciting, risk/reward finish.

This final trio of holes begins with the 183-yard par-3 16^th, where players must avoid the large bunker right in the middle of a quirky donut-shaped green. They then move on to the drivable 347-yard par-4 17^th, on which the fairway cambers heavily from right-to-left, potentially leaving players with an unenviable pitch over the bunker that protects the long, thin green to the left.

The course concludes with the 591-yard par-5 18^th. It is home to one of the narrowest fairways on the layout, and with a creek separating the sloping green and layup area, anything from an eagle to a double-bogey+ is possible as the contenders close out the event.

THE WEATHER

The conditions are forecast to be warm and dry in the build-up, but that will be replaced by the lingering threat of thunderstorms throughout the event. A constant 9-11mph breeze will keep players honest and could gust at up to 28mph during the week.

KEY STATS

SG: Approach / Greens-in-Regulation (GIR) / Proximity from 150-200 yards

A strong tee-to-green game is a must at TPC San Antonio, but it's the irons that are most vital. In addition, it's especially important to be on point with the mid-to-long irons.

• 2025
  • Brian Harman (Winner): 2^nd in SG: Approach / 11^th in GIR
  • Maverick McNealy (3^rd): 1^st in GIR
  • Eight of the top 11 ranked inside the top 25 in SG: Approach
• 2024
  • Akshay Bhatia (Winner): 1^st in SG: Approach / 1^st in GIR
  • Denny McCarthy (2^nd): 7^th in SG: Approach
  • Rory McIlroy (3^rd): 3^rd in SG: Approach / 9^th in GIR
  • Russell Henley (4^th): 2^nd in SG: Approach / 13^th in GIR
• 2023
  • Corey Conners (Winner): 1^st in SG: Approach / 1^st in GIR
  • Sam Stevens (2^nd): 2^nd in SG: Approach
  • Matt Kuchar (3^rd): 3^rd in SG: Approach / 2^nd in GIR
  • Sam Ryder (3^rd): 4^th in SG: Approach / 13^th in GIR
• 2022
  • Not as prominent but four of the top seven ranked inside the top 25 in SG: Approach and GIR
• 2021
  • Jordan Spieth (Winner): 4^th in SG: Approach
  • Charley Hoffman (2^nd): 8^th in SG: Approach / 8^th in GIR
  • Matt Wallace (3^rd): 1^st in SG: Approach / 5^th in GIR
  • Lucas Glover (4^th): 5^th in SG: Approach / 1^st in GIR

SG: Off-the-Tee (SG: OTT) / Driving Accuracy

Quality driving has also been key among the top performers, and with that thicker rough likely to be more punishing, there could be an added premium on accuracy this week.

• 2025
  • Maverick McNealy (3^rd): 14^th in SG: OTT
  • Ryo Hisatsune (5^th): 4^th in SG: OTT
  • Thorbjorn Olesen (5^th): 5^th in SG: OTT
• 2024
  • Akshay Bhatia (Winner): 6^th in SG: OTT
  • Brendon Todd (5^th): 3^rd in driving accuracy
• 2023
  • Corey Conners (Winner): 8^th in SG: OTT / 3^rd in driving accuracy
  • Matt Kuchar (3^rd): 11^th in driving accuracy
  • Patrick Rodgers (5^th): 1^st in SG: OTT / 6^th in driving accuracy
  • Chez Reavie (6^th): 4^th in driving accuracy
  • Byeong Hun An (6^th): 2^nd in SG: OTT / 11^th in driving accuracy
• 2022
  • J. Spaun (Winner): 10^th in SG: OTT / 9^th in driving accuracy
  • Adam Hadwin (4^th): 8^th in SG: OTT
  • Charles Howell III (4^th): 1^st in SG: OTT / 1^st in driving accuracy
• 2021
  • Charley Hoffman (2^nd): 9^th in SG: OTT / 6^th in driving accuracy
  • Lucas Glover (4^th): 14^th in SG: OTT / 14^th in driving accuracy
  • Anirban Lahiri (5^th): 7^th in SG: OTT

SG: Around-the-Greens (SG: ATG) / Scrambling

Lastly, as a course with low GIR percentages, it's no surprise that leaderboards are littered with high-class short-game displays.

• 2025
  • Brian Harman (Winner): 12^th in scrambling
  • Ryan Gerard (2^nd): 2^nd in SG: ATG / 3^rd in scrambling
  • Tom Hoge (5^th): 5^th in SG: ATG / 9^th in scrambling
• 2024
  • Akshay Bhatia (Winner): 2^nd in SG: ATG / 3^rd in scrambling
  • Denny McCarthy (2^nd): 1^st in SG: ATG / 2^nd in scrambling
  • Rory McIlroy (3^rd): 13^th in scrambling
  • Russell Henley (4^th): 9^th in scrambling
• 2023
  • Matt Kuchar (3^rd): 6^th in SG: ATG / 1^st in scrambling
  • Sam Ryder (3^rd): 12^th in scrambling
  • Patrick Rodgers (5^th): 11^th in SG: ATG / 5^th in scrambling
• 2022
  • J. Spaun (Winner): 13^th in SG: ATG
  • Matt Kuchar (2^nd): 1^st in scrambling
  • Adam Hadwin (4^th): 14^th in SG: ATG
  • Troy Merritt (4^th): 4^th in scrambling
• 2021
  • Jordan Spieth (Winner): 3^rd in SG: ATG / 1^st in scrambling
  • Charley Hoffman (2^nd): 9^th in SG: ATG / 11^th in scrambling
  • Matt Wallace (3^rd): 11^th in SG: ATG / 2^nd in scrambling
  • Lucas Glover (4^th): 12^th in scrambling
  • Anirban Lahiri (5^th): 10^th in scrambling

CORRELATING EVENTS (COURSES)

Phoenix Open (TPC Scottsdale)

A couple of fellow TPC venues to begin, first of which is Phoenix Open host TPC Scottsdale. With its elusive, well-bunkered fairways, similar challenge around the overseeded greens, and high volume of approaches between 150-200 yards, it's easy to see why these two courses have developed strong form ties.

Notable correlating form:

• Charley Hoffman: Texas (1^st, 2^nd, 2^nd, 2^nd) / Phoenix (2^nd, 2^nd)
• Brendan Steele: Texas (1^st) / Phoenix (3^rd, 5^th)
• Martin Laird: Texas (1^st) / Phoenix (3^rd, 5^th)
• Akshay Bhatia: Texas (1^st) / Phoenix (3^rd)
• Jordan Spieth: Texas (1^st, 2^nd) / Phoenix (4^th, 4^th)
• J. Spaun: Texas (1^st) / Phoenix (4^th)
• Matt Kuchar: Texas (2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th) / Phoenix (4^th, 5^th)
• Ryan Moore: Texas (3^rd) / Phoenix (4^th, 6^th, 6^th)
• Maverick McNealy: Texas (3^rd) / Phoenix (6^th, 9^th)
• Andrew Novak: Texas (3^rd) / Phoenix (8^th)
• Charles Howell III: Texas (4^th) / Phoenix (4^th, 6^th)
• Chesson Hadley: Texas (4^th) / Phoenix (5^th)
• Gary Woodland: Texas (6^th, 8^th) / Phoenix (1^st)
• Chez Reavie: Texas (6^th) / Phoenix (2^nd, 4^th)
• Byeong Hun An: Texas (6^th, 7^th) / Phoenix (6^th, 9^th)

THE PLAYERS Championship (TPC Sawgrass)

TPC Sawgrass is another layout with an exciting risk/reward finish. It compares closely to this week's host in long-game and putting difficulty, whilst the similarly sized overseeded greens are guarded by punishing bunkers.

Notable correlating form:

• Kevin Chappell: Texas (1^st, 2^nd) / PLAYERS (2^nd)
• Brian Harman: Texas (1^st) / PLAYERS (2^nd, 3^rd)
• J. Spaun: Texas (1^st) / PLAYERS (2^nd)
• Ben Curtis: Texas (1^st) / PLAYERS (2^nd)
• Jimmy Walker: Texas (1^st) / PLAYERS (2^nd)
• Martin Laird: Texas (1^st) / PLAYERS (2^nd)
• Akshay Bhatia: Texas (1^st) / PLAYERS (3^rd)
• Corey Conners: Texas (1^st, 1^st) / PLAYERS (6^th, 7^th)
• Matt Kuchar: Texas (2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th) / PLAYERS (1^st, 3^rd)
• Anirban Lahiri: Texas (5^th) / PLAYERS (2^nd)
• Tom Hoge: Texas (5^th) / PLAYERS (3^rd, 3^rd)
• Bud Cauley: Texas (5^th) / PLAYERS (6^th)
• Ben Martin: Texas (7^th, 10^th) / PLAYERS (4^th)

Arnold Palmer Invitational (Bay Hill)

Placing comparable strain on every club in the bag, Bay Hill is up next. It especially matches up with the challenge here in approach, possessing the sixth-lowest GIR numbers on tour (TPC San Antonio is seventh) and requiring a high volume of approaches from 175-200 yards.

Notable correlating form:

• Akshay Bhatia: Texas (1^st) / API (1^st)
• Martin Laird: Texas (1^st) / API (1^st)
• Charley Hoffman: Texas (1^st, 2^nd, 2^nd, 2^nd) / API (2^nd)
• Kevin Chappell: Texas (1^st, 2^nd) / API (2^nd)
• Corey Conners: Texas (1^st, 1^st) / API (3^rd, 3^rd)
• Jordan Spieth: Texas (1^st, 2^nd) / API (4^th, 4^th)
• Matt Every: Texas (2^nd) / API (1^st, 1^st)
• Matt Jones: Texas (2^nd) / API (3^rd)
• Ryan Moore: Texas (3^rd) / API (4^th, 5^th)
• Matt Wallace: Texas (3^rd) / API (6^th)
• Russell Henley: Texas (4^th) / API (1^st)
• Troy Merritt: Texas (4^th) / API (3^rd)
• Bud Cauley: Texas (5^th) / API (4^th)
• Chris Kirk: Texas (6^th, 8^th, 8^th) / API (5^th, 8^th)
• Gary Woodland: Texas (6^th, 8^th) / API (5^th)
• Byeong Hun An: Texas (6^th, 7^th) / API (8^th, 8^th)

Valspar Championship (Innisbrook Resort – Copperhead Course)

The setup at Innisbrook's Copperhead Course is one on which top-class ball strikers have thrived. With driving accuracy and GIR percentages low, precision is at a premium, whilst approaches between 150-200 yards into the overseeded greens have been the most prevalent in the last two seasons.

Notable correlating form:

• Jordan Spieth: Texas (1^st, 2^nd) / Valspar (1^st, 3^rd)
• Brian Harman: Texas (1^st) / Valspar (5^th)
• Sean O'Hair: Texas (2^nd) / Valspar (1^st, 2^nd)
• Will MacKenzie: Texas (2^nd) / Valspar (4^th)
• Ryan Moore: Texas (3^rd) / Valspar (3^rd, 5^th, 5^th)
• Adam Hadwin: Texas (4^th) / Valspar (1^st)
• Charles Howell III: Texas (4^th) / Valspar (2^nd, 5^th)
• Troy Merritt: Texas (4^th) / Valspar (6^th, 8^th)
• Adam Schenk: Texas (5^th, 7^th) / Valspar (2^nd)
• Ryo Hisatsune: Texas (5^th) / Valspar (4^th)
• Bud Cauley: Texas (5^th) / Valspar (4^th)
• Gary Woodland: Texas (6^th, 8^th) / Valspar (1^st)

Farmers Insurance Open / 2025 Genesis Invitational (Torrey Pines)

I'll finish at Torrey Pines, which also closes with a perilous risk-reward par 5. It's the challenge off the tee that appeals most at this open venue, sitting just one place above TPC San Antonio for overall driving difficulty and containing the fourth-toughest fairways to find on tour (with this week's host third).

Notable correlating form:

• Jimmy Walker: Texas (1^st) / Farmers (4^th, 4^th)
• Sam Stevens: Texas (2^nd) / Farmers (2^nd)
• Denny McCarthy: Texas (2^nd) / Genesis (5^th)
• Maverick McNealy: Texas (3^rd) / Genesis (2^nd)
• Andrew Novak: Texas (3^rd) / Farmers (3^rd, 7^th)
• Sam Ryder: Texas (3^rd) / Farmers (4^th)
• Charles Howell III: Texas (4^th) / Farmers (2^nd, 2^nd, 2^nd)
• Beau Hossler: Texas (4^th) / Farmers (6^th, 9^th)
• Ryo Hisatsune: Texas (5^th) / Farmers (2^nd)
• Patrick Rodgers: Texas (5^th) / Genesis (3^rd), Farmers (4^th)
• Tom Hoge: Texas (5^th) / Farmers (5^th)

THE FIELD

World No. 4 Tommy Fleetwood heads a decent field in Texas. It features two further members of the top 10 – Collin Morikawa (No. 8) and Russell Henley (No. 10) – and 19 of the top 50 in total, all no doubt hoping to finely tune their games before tackling Augusta next week.

Brian Harman returns as the defending champion, and he is joined by four additional previous winners: J.J. Spaun (2022), Jordan Spieth (2021), Charley Hoffman (2016) and Jimmy Walker (2015).

SELECTIONS 

Market leaders (1/4 5 places): Tommy Fleetwood 14/1, Ludvig Aberg 16/1, Russell Henley 16/1, Jordan Spieth 18/1, Robert MacIntyre 18/1, Collin Morikawa 18/1

2 pts Sepp Straka each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 25/1

Having won last year's Truist Championship the week before the PGA Championship, as well as finishing 3^rd and 7^th ahead of the U.S. Open and Open Championship, Sepp Straka's form leading into majors has been striking in recent seasons. That makes him a prime candidate here and, after doing everything but win in 2026, he can put that right at TPC San Antonio.

Since missing the cut on his first appearance of the season at The AmEx, Straka has recorded four top-20s in five starts. His runner-up finish at Pebble Beach stands out, while he was 8^th at THE PLAYERS Championship on his latest outing after sharing the first-round lead.

Developing into one of the best iron players on tour, he's again excelling with the clubs in 2026, ranking 12^th in SG: Approach and 4^th in proximity from 175-200 yards. He's also driving it solidly, ranking 42^nd in driving accuracy and 54^th in SG: OTT, and is currently enjoying one of his strongest campaigns in SG: ATG, sitting 41^st in the standings.

Failing to make the weekend on debut in 2019, Straka has progressed with each following appearance here, finishing 67^th in 2021 and 22^nd in 2023. He's got two top-10s at TPC Sawgrass and, finishing 5^th and 13^th in the last two editions of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his comp form strengthens his case.

1.5 pts Ryo Hisatsune each-way (1/5 - 6 places) @ 35/1

After backing him on his last two starts, I’m hoping to make it third time lucky on Ryo Hisatsune this week. He’s among the most improved players on tour in 2026 and having finished 5^th around this layout last year, he can make his PGA Tour breakthrough in Texas.

Hisatsune missed the cut in Hawaii at the start of the year but hasn’t missed another since, recording four top-15 finishes over his last eight outings. He was a distant 2^nd to Justin Rose at the Farmers Insurance Open and alongside finishes of 10^th in the Phoenix Open and 8^th at Pebble Beach, he also finished 13^th at THE PLAYERS Championship two starts ago.

He’s been superb from tee-to-green, ranking 8^th and is especially flourishing with the driver, sitting 15^th in SG: OTT and 27^th in driving accuracy. He’s also 3^rd in GIR, 30^th in SG: Approach and, impressing just as much with his short game (ranking 30^th in SG: ATG), he has an appealing all-round profile.

Hisatsune finished 78^th on his Texas Open debut in 2024 before kicking on considerably last year, finishing 5^th. He’s performing at a much higher level now and, with results of 2^nd at the Farmers Insurance Open and 4^th at the Valspar Championship boding well, he has plenty in his favour at TPC San Antonio.

1 pt Brian Harman each-way (1/5 - 8 places) @ 55/1

Heading to Texas after a season’s best at THE PLAYERS Championship, I’m taking Brian Harman to successfully defend his title. He was excellent from tee-to-green there, and with the driver and short game getting up to speed, he represents value in this market.

Following a 61^st-place finish at the Sony Open with two missed cuts, Harman secured his first top-20 of the season four starts ago when 19^th at Pebble Beach. He was again off the boil at the Genesis Invitational and Arnold Palmer Invitational, finishing 50^th at both, but he left those efforts behind when 11^th at TPC Sawgrass – an event in which he was 4^th entering the final round.

Signs of life have been evident throughout the bag all season, he’s just failed to put it all together at once. He did just that last time out, ranking 8^th in SG: Tee-to-Green, where he was especially impressive in SG: ATG and SG: OTT, ending the week 2^nd and 15^th respectively.

That 150-200-yard range is typically one of his strongest in approach, and although we’re still waiting for the putter to warm up, he should enjoy returning to surfaces on which he often putts well.

Harman had recorded four top-25s in seven TPC San Antonio appearances prior to last year but blew those results out of the water with a dominant three-shot victory. His four top-10s at THE PLAYERS Championship – including finishes of 2^nd and 3^rd – is another major plus, reinforcing his credentials on this demanding layout.

1 pt Chandler Blanchet each-way (1/5 - 8 places) @ 125/1

Chandler Blanchet has taken a little time to get going in his rookie season but is finally starting to look comfortable at this level. He performed well here on the Korn Ferry Tour (KFT) back in 2020 and with his long game in strong shape, he can do so again this week.

Blanchet enjoyed an excellent end to the previous campaign on the KFT, winning the Price Cutter Charity Championship and Korn Ferry Tour Championship across his last eight appearances. This saw him finish 2^nd on the season-long points race and earn a first go at the PGA Tour in the process.

Five missed cuts on the spin weren’t an ideal way to start this season, but he turned his form around at the Puerto Rico Open, finishing 2^nd. He backed that up with an 18^th-place finish at the Valspar Championship – an event at which he was 3^rd after 36 holes – and although he was disappointing last week, this test is more suitable.

His ball-striking qualities have been evident all year, ranking 14^th in driving accuracy and a solid 65^th in GIR. He’s been dialled in with his long irons and while the short game has yet to really fire, he ranked 3^rd in putting and 34^th in scrambling in 2025.

Blanchet improved his position in each round here in the 2020 TPC San Antonio Championship, shooting rounds of 72-69-70-68 to finish 14^th. His recent top-20 at the Valspar is another plus, showing he’s playing well enough to handle this true ball-striking examination.

1 pt Jhonattan Vegas each-way (1/5 - 8 places) @ 175/1

With two top-20 finishes across his last three starts, I’m hoping to strike while the iron is hot with Jhonattan Vegas. The Texas resident has found form in approach, and seemingly in greater control of the driver this year, he can set a new personal best at the Oaks Course.

Vegas provided few reasons for optimism across his opening three outings this season, but he began to show improvements when 44^th at the Genesis Invitational. He then followed that with an 18^th-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and while he suffered a minor blip when missing the cut at TPC Sawgrass, he responded immediately to finish 14^th in Houston.

The Venezuelan was particularly effective with his irons there, ranking 3^rd in GIR and 10^th in SG: Approach. This continued the theme we’ve seen recently, as he sat inside the top 25 in SG: Approach at both Riviera and Bay Hill.

In addition, he’s a strong long-iron player who is finding more fairways in 2026 and, arriving here after three positive putting displays on the spin, he’s displaying tonnes of promise of late.

Vegas has some solid results here, recording a best of 18^th in 2022. With 3^rd-place finishes at THE PLAYERS Championship and Farmers Insurance Open to call on, this four-time tour winner is an exciting prospect in this area of the market.