Adam Scott Valero Texas Open
If you missed Sunday at the Masters you missed an event. If you enjoy golf, and odds are you do since you’re reading this article, then you would have loved watching Rory McIlroy completely eat it on Sunday, because that’s probably what you look like every day on the golf course. He was struggling so bad that CBS almost seemed apologetic every time they had to show him taking a shot. On the flip side, the six players who finished on top shot a combined –28 on Sunday, so there was plenty of quality golf as well if you’re into that sort of thing. As for young McIlroy, I have this message: you’re only 21, and you’ll have plenty more chances to remind all of us out here in Internet land that we are terrible. With that, this weeks approach shot for fantasy golf:
Tournament: Valero Texas Open
Date: April 14th to the 17th
Location: TPC San Antonio – Oaks Course, San Antonio, Texas
Defending Champion: Adam Scott (-14)
About the course: If low scores are golf’s home runs, than the Texas Open is the Yankee Stadium of golf. Not since 1970 when Ron Cerrudo won has a player won with a score of less than eleven under par. In fact, in 2003 Tommy Armour III shot the 72-hole PGA record 254. That’s a wholesome 26 under par. Granted, the tournament has only been at the TPC San Antonio for a year, so those stats may not be as relevant. Throw in the fact that the Oaks Course ranked 17th most difficult on the PGA last year and the fact that it runs an impressive 7,522 yards long, and we may see another single digit winner sooner rather than later.
Golfers to watch: Martin Laird hasn’t finished worst than 33rd since January, and has four top 10 results in that time span. It also might be to his advantage that he doesn’t have the emotional drain of the Masters hanging over him. Other than Saturday, Geoff Ogilvy looked particularly strong at the Masters, particularly the back nine on Sunday when he had five strait birdies. One of the few golfers who played last week that is entered this week, look for that strong play to carry over. Adam Scott made a legitimate run at the green jacket on Sunday, and had Schwartzel not finished with four consecutive birdies, he would have pulled it out. Given that he won this event last year, he has a great chance to repeat and have another big week in fantasy golf. While J.B. Holmes hasn’t looked great at his last two events, I’m guessing a week off does him some good and returns him to the top of the ranks on Sunday. J.J. Henry hasn’t missed a cut all year, and if he can just put down a decent Sunday, he can win the whole thing. Bo Van Pelt finished 4th at this event last year, and was briefly in contention this past weekend. Any time a player finishes 8th at the Masters, he’s worth considering the following week. If you’re a history buff, then Justin Leonard might be your guy. He and Arnold Palmer are the only two players to have won this tournament three times. In fact, one forth of all his PGA wins has come at the Texas Open. How ‘bout them odds!
Looking for a weekly fantasy golf experience? Our friends at Fantazzle have just what you need. The Valero Texas Open is set to tee off April 14th, so check out Fantazzle’s Fantasy Golf Challenge before the boys tee it up Thursday.