Tournament: The Valero Texas Open

Course:  TPC at San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas)

Course Stats:  7,408 Yards, Par 72

Course Architect:  Greg Norman, Sergio Garcia (Consultant)

Course Features:  The TPC at San Antonio is one of those courses that send a chill down my spine, as I’ve seen what can happen when weather becomes the main storyline here.  Two years ago, the winds blew at a steady 25-30 MPH clip, with gusts peaking at 40 MPH and subsequently sending the players into a tailspin.  In seven years as a host course, the winning score has averaged out at (-11), with highest being (-14) and the lowest being (-7).  When you break that down, it becomes clear that playing solid, if unspectacular golf, is the way to find yourself in the winner’s circle come Sunday.  Of course, playing consistent rounds of -2 or -3 in the weather that has littered this tournament in years past, IS spectacular golf, just not the way we are accustomed to seeing at other venues.

The TPC at San Antonio is a par 72 that can be stretched to play a little over 7,400 yards.  With the constant swirling winds of Texas, the 7,400 yards plays very long and certainly yields an advantage to longer hitters.  The course was created by former world #1, Greg Norman, who consulted Sergio Garcia during the design process.  It features narrow, tree lined fairways that make the sightlines off the tee very difficult, but in general, the fairways expand as each hole progresses, which give the players some more options on approach shots and different routes to the green.  The entire complex showcases Bermuda grass, including champion Bermuda greens that give the course a very lush feel.  Given the natural surroundings of Texas hill country, there is a nice balance between classic golf architecture and new-school agronomy.

Course Grass:  Bermuda (Fairways, Tees and Rough) Champion Bermuda (Greens)

Key Statistics: Driving Distance, Stroke Gained: Off the Tee, Proximity to Hole, Strokes Gained: Approach the Green, Strokes Gained: Tee to Green, Par 4 Birdie or Better Percentage

1st Round Matchups

Charlie Hoffman (+130) over Matt Kuchar

Brendan Steele (-135) over Branden Grace

Patrick Reed (-105) over Tony Finau

Keegan Bradley (-110) over Luke List

JJ Spaun (-110) over Jhonathan Vegas

Futures: To Win

Matt Kuchar (+2000)

Charlie Hoffman (+2000)

Ryan Moore (+2300)

Billy Horschel (+2700)

Ryan Palmer (+3500)

Patrick Reed (+4000)

Keegan Bradley (+5500)

Daniel Summerhays (+6600)

Scott Piercy (+9000)

Harold Varner III (+6000)

Sam Saunders (+14000)