The Valero Texas Open is the next stop on the PGA TOUR calendar. This is the final chance for players to refine their game or qualify for The Masters field.
This is a look at the best first-round leader bets to make for the event on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Valero Texas Open: First Round Leader Picks
The Valero Texas Open is being held at TPC San Antonio on the Oaks Course. The Valero Texas Open is a par-72 course, which ranges 7,438 yards. It is a full-field event with a standard 36-hole cut. This is the final event for players to refine their game and for bubble players to qualify for The Masters. Many of the world’s best players, including Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, are taking the week off. However, some top players like Ludvig Aberg and Tommy Fleetwood are trying to sharpen their game before heading to Augusta.
The most important keys to success at TPC San Antonio are keeping the ball in the fairway and hitting greens. This course has long, tricky rough and the fairways are narrow. Players who can hit fairways in regulation, hit greens in regulation and avoid bogeys will excel here at the Valero Texas Open.
Russell Henley FRL (+3500)
Russell Henley is looking to get his game ready for Augusta National. Henley has finished inside the top 15 three times at The Masters, including a T4 finish in 2023. His game is built to succeed at The Masters, but he needs to fine-tune some things before heading to Augusta. This is a great course for him to do so. Henley’s game is a great fit for TPC San Antonio. Henley’s biggest weakness is his length off the tee, but he hits fairways, hits greens and makes putts.
Russell Henley finished in fourth place at the Valero Texas Open last year. He should be in for another great performance this year. Henley has been playing good golf this season, ranking 12th on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Total. He ranks fifth on the PGA Tour in driving accuracy, so he should avoid the tough rough on this course. That will allow him to hit irons close and use his biggest strength, his putter. Henley ranks seventh on Tour in putting average. If he can drain a few of his makeable birdie putts, Henley has a great chance to lead after the opening round.
Sepp Straka FRL (+4200)
Russell Henley’s fellow Georgia Bulldog is my other pick to lead after the first round. Sepp Straka has been one of the most underrated players on the PGA Tour the last few years, consistently churning out good results. He is another guy who has the game to compete at Augusta next week and desperately wants redemption after not making the cut at The Masters last year. Straka has had a strong season so far, finishing T2 at Pebble Beach, T13 at the API and T8 at THE PLAYERS. His game is clicking at the right time; he just needs one more good result here in Texas.
Straka has been striking the ball well this season. He ranks 13th on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Tee to Green and 12th in Strokes Gained: Approach to Green. Straka has also been solid with his putting stroke, ranking 21st on Tour in putting average. If Straka can keep it straight off the tee, like he has over the past year, and knock down a few putts, he has a solid chance to be the first-round leader at the Valero Texas Open.
