Week #13 ~Valero Texas Open - March 27-30, 2014

Top Picks

Drew's Picks: Billy Horschel, Jimmy Walker, Jordan Spieth
Jeremy's Picks: Phil Mickelson, Jim Furyk, Zach Johnson
Chuck's Picks:  Matt Kuchar, Jordan Spieth, Jimmy Walker
Matt's Picks:  Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Ryan Palmer
Cathy's Picks:  Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson, John Senden

Dark Horses (dark horse criteria= outside top 50 on OWGR as of 2/24/14)

Drew's Picks:  Freddie Jacobson, Jason Kokrak, Ryan Palmer
Jeremy's Picks: Freddie Jacobson, Jason Kokrak, Cameron Tringale
Chuck's Picks: Ryo Ishikawa, Jason Kokrak, Ryan Palmer
Matt's Picks: Kevin Chappel, Charley Hoffman, Freddie Jacobson
Cathy's Picks: Sean O'Hair, Justin Leonard, Erik Compton

Read here to see why we picked who we did!

Matt's Picks:
Jim Furyk  
Furyk is five for five on the season with three top twenty-five showings. He is coming off a T20 performance at the Valspar Championship. Furyk entered the 2013 Valero Texas Open when it was played at TPC San Antonio, and he shot four sub-par rounds and finished tied for 3rd. 

Matt Kuchar  
Kuchar has played in this event twice since it's move to TPC San Antonio, both times earning a top twenty-five. Last season he finished T22 and the previous visit tied for 13th. Kuchar started out the 2013-2014 season by earning top tens in four of his first five starts. Since then he finished T13 at the Cadillac Championship and T38 at the Valspar Championship. I expect Kuchar to find his way back into the top ten this week. 

Ryan Palmer
Palmer has played this event in each of the previous four years.  He finished tied for 9th in 2010, tied for 32nd in 2012, and tied for 15th last season.  In three of his last five starts, Palmer has earned two runner-ups and a T8.  His hasn't missed a cut in his last seven starts this season.

Freddie Jacobson  
In seven starts in this event, Jacobson hasn't finished outside of the top thirty. Since the event has been moved to TPC San Antonio, he has finished runner-up, T5, T18, and T15. Jacobson also appears to be trending in the right direction, earning top twenties in his last three starts. 

Charley Hoffman  
Sporting a new haircut this season, Hoffman has looked like a new man in more than one way. He has already earned three top tens and six top twenty-fives. In his last two starts, Hoffman finished T12 at the Northern Trust Open and T25 at the Valspar Championship. Hoffman has performed well at the Valero Texas Open. He has a runner-up, 3rd place finish, and two T13 finishes since 2010. 

Kevin Chappell  
Since 2011, Kevin Chappell has placed runner-up and T15 at the Valero Texas Open. He recently finished T14 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, shooting under par in all four rounds. Chappell's good ball striking will be key at this course, and if he can find his way on the greens he could be the fifth first time winner this season. 

Chuck's Picks:
Jimmy Walker – Fed Ex points leader and San Antonio local should be the cream of the crop this week. I wouldn’t be too quick ruling out a 4th win this year.

Jordon Speith – One of the strongest players in a depleted field this week. Another Texas native who seems to be a top 20 machine these days.

Matt Kuchar – Kuch has SEVEN top tens this year and only one missed cut. Placed 38th last week but should get back to his top ten ways again this week on a course that suits his game perfectly.

Ryan Palmer – West Texas native has been playing great this year. Made it to a playoff at the Honda a couple weeks back. Plays well in the wind and should have plenty of local support this week.

Jason Kokrak – I’ve had my eye on him this year and he’s starting to warm up. Last three starts are 41st, 14th, 4th. Finished T15 here last year and should have good memories

Ryo Ishikawa – great ball striker, great scrambler, great wind player. T8 last week at Bay Hill. If he can get the flat stick working he could be the man to beat this week.

Jeremy's Picks:
Phil Mickelson - Beginning his preparation for the Masters, I expect him to bring his A game.
 
Jim Furyk - Tied for 3rd here last year and has had a improved year thus far.
 
Zach Johnson - He has won this event twice but at a different course.  He missed the cut here 2 years ago but his game is in a much better place now.
 
Dark Horse
 
Freddie Jacobson - Finished in the Top 20 the past 3 years and played well his past few tournaments.
 
Jason Kokrak  - A solid week at Bay Hill should give him some confidence on a course he has played well on before.
 
Cameron Tringale - This kid will win a PGA event sometime, why not at the place where he first found himself in contention.

Drew's Picks:
Billy Horschel:
Billy  had the 54 hole lead last year but faded to a T3 with a final round 71.  He's 4th in total driving, very accurate and long enough.  That accuracy should help him avoid the mess off the fairways.

Jimmy Walker:
Jimmy is a San Antonio resident, so he gets to sleep in his own bed this week.  His putting has been excellent, and he leads the tour in Par 4 performance.

Jordan Spieth:
Jordan is a Texan, used to playing in the winds I expect to see, mainly on Friday.  He's had a 41st and a MC in his two appearances here, not very impressive, but I'm betting on a much better result this week.

DH's:

Freddie Jacobson:

Freddie "The Junkman" again!  Freddie's last three tournaments have been a T12, T20, and T10, and he's had a 2nd (2010), 5th (2011), and a T15 (2013) at the Valero.  Unless he strays too far into the junk, a la Kevin Na a few years ago, his scrambling should come in handy.  He's also 7th in Strokes Gained Putting.

Jason Kokrak:

Jason's been playing well of late, 7 out of 8 starts in 2014 inside the top 20.  He bombs it off the tee, and whatever else he's doing seems to be working.

Ryan Palmer:

Ryan has been in the top 10 in three of his five starts in 2014, including a 2nd and 2nd in a playoff.  He ranks 19th in GIR, 4th in Par 5 Scoring Average, and 10th in Par 4 SA.  Also, another Texan who can handle the wind.