2022 Valero Texas Open Primer: History, TV, Field, Odds

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Jordan Spieth Wins 2021 Valero Texas Open
Jordan Spieth prepares to play his shot from the 15th tee during the second round of Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio Oaks Course on April 02, 2021 in San Antonio, TX. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

The PGA Tour stays in the Lonestar State for the 91st edition of the Valero Texas Open – the final tune-up before the season’s first major at Augusta National.

The 24th event on the PGA Tour’s 2021-22 schedule, the Valero Texas Open is contested at TPC San Antonio, a Greg Norman-designed par-72, measuring 7,435 yards.

Due to its position on the schedule – sandwiched between a World Golf Championship and Major, the field in south Texas is fairly weak but will feature a few high-profile superstars in defending champion Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau.

Here are more details about this week’s PGA Tour stop in Texas.


Valero Texas Open

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The Skinny

Valero Texas Open
PGA Tour Debut: 1922
Dates: Mar 31-Apr 3, 2022
Where:San Antonio, Texas
Course: TPC San Antonio (Oaks)
Distance: Par 72, 7,435 yards
Architect: Greg Norman
Format: Stroke play, 72-holes
Field: 144 players, 36-Hole Cut
Purse: $8,600,000
Winning Share: $1,548,000
FedExCup/OWGR Pts: 500/38
Defending Champion: Jordan Spieth


How to Follow

Valero Texas Open
The trophy on the first tee during the final round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio AT&T Oaks Course on Mar 29, 2015 in San Antonio, TX. (Photo by Marianna Massey via Getty Images)

TELEVISION: Thu-Fri: 4-7 p.m. (GOLF); Sat: 1-3:30 p.m. (GOLF), 3:30-6 p.m. (NBC); Sun: 1-2 p.m. (GOLF), 2-6 p.m. (NBC)

PGA TOUR LIVE: Thu-Fri: 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat-Sun: 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

PGA TOUR RADIO: Thu-Fri: 1-7 p.m.; Sat: 3-6 p.m.; Sun: 1-6 p.m.
(PGA TOUR Radio on SiriusXM and PGATOUR.com/liveaudio)

LINKS: Website | Leaderboard | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram


Valero Texas Open History

Zach Johnson
Zach Johnson celebrates with is caddie after making a tournament winning birdie putt on the 18th green in a sudden death playoff during the final round of the 2009 PGA Tour Valero Texas Open at La Cantera Golf Club in San Antonio, Tx. (Photo by John Albright / Icon SMI/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Casual fans may not realize it, but the Valero Texas Open has one of the most extensive histories on the PGA Tour. As the third oldest tournament on the Tour’s schedule, the sixth oldest worldwide, and the oldest tournament where every edition has been played in the same city, the Valero Texas Open has a rich tradition of hosting elite-level golf.

This week’s event will be the 91st time touring pros have teed it up in San Antonio since 1922. For much of its history, the tournament had a reputation for surrendering exceptionally low scores, evidenced most by Mike Souchak’s winning total of 27-under par in 1955, and Tommy Armour III’s record-setting 254 (64-63-62-65) in 2003 – a Tour record that stood until Justin Thomas broke it in 2017 in Hawaii.

However, as the tournament has started to award larger purses, it was moved to TPC San Antonio, which early on proved to be a much tougher test. How tough? Ask Kevin Na, who shot a 12-over 16 on ONE HOLE in the 2011 edition. That may be an extreme outlier, but in 2012, one of the runner-ups had a round of 77 on their card. In fact, from 2011 – 2014, three of the four winners finished in single-digits under par.

The setup in San Antonio has generally become less penal over the past several years, culminating with 2019 winner, Corey Conners, finishing with the first 20 under (or better) since Armour’s aforementioned record setter nearly 20 years ago.

Over the years, the tournament has been contested at eight different venues with a who’s who of legendary names among its winners, including Walter Hagen, Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan, Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, Chi-Chi Rodriguez, Hale Irwin, Ben Crenshaw, Lee Trevino, and Jordan Spieth.

Palmer and Justin Leonard have the most Valero victories, with three a piece. Seven other golfers have won twice, including Zach Johnson (2008-2009) – the only active player among the group.

History: Tournament Names
  • Valero Texas Open (2002-22)
  • Texas Open at La Cantera (2001)
  • Westin Texas Open at La Cantera (2000)
  • Westin Texas Open (1998-99)
  • La Cantera Texas Open (1995-97)
  • Texas Open (1994)
  • H.E.B. Texas Open (1990-93)
  • Texas Open (1988-89)
  • Vantage Championship (1996)
  • San Antonio Texas Open (1972-80)
  • San Antonio Open Invitational (1970-71)
  • Texas Open Invitational (1956-69)
  • Texas Open (1922-55)
History: Recent Winners

2021: Jordan Spieth (-18)
2020: No Tournament (COVID)
2019
: Corey Conners (-20)
2018: Andrew Landry (-17)
2017: Kevin Chappell (-12)
2016: Charley Hoffman (-12)
2015: Jimmy Walker (-11)
2014: Steven Bowditch (-8)
2013: Martin Laird (-14)
2012: Ben Curtis (-9)
2011: Brendan Steele (-8)

History: Records

Scoring:
Low Score: 254 Tommy Armour III (2003)
Under-Par: -27 Mike Souchak (1955)
Margin of Victory: 8 strokes Corey Pavin (1988)

Wins:
3 – Justin Leonard (2000-01, 2007), Arnold Palmer (1960-62)


Defending Valero Texas Open Champion

Jordan Spieth Wins Valero Texas Open
Jordan Spieth poses with the trophy after winning the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio Oaks Course on April 04, 2021 in San Antonio, TX. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Jordan Spieth shot a final-round 6-under 66 to claim a two-shot victory at the 2021 Valero Texas Open.

The 27-year old star entered Sunday’s finale at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course tied for the lead at 12 under with Matt Wallace. The Texan, though, quickly went ahead of the Englishman with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 2 and 3, and never relinquished the advantage. After a bogey on No. 4 Spieth was clean the rest of the way while adding five more birdies, highlighted by a tournament clincher on the par-4 17th to reach 18 under, two better than Charley Hoffman (66).

The win was Spieth’s first in nearly four years – his last victory coming at the 2017 British Open, and 12th of his PGA Tour career.

With the victory, Spieth earned $1,386,000 and 500 FedExCup points. He also picked up 38 Official World Golf Ranking points.

Hoffman, who made a terrific Sunday charge, claimed sole possession of second-place on 16-under par to earn $839,300 and 300 FedExCup points.

Final Top-5 Finishers

Pos-Player-To Par (Final Rd)
1. Jordan Spieth -18 (-6)
2. Charley Hoffman -16 (-6)
3. Matt Wallace -14 (-2)
4. Lucas Glover -12 (-6)
5. Anirban Lahiri -10 (-3)


Valero Texas Open Field

Corey Conners Wins Valero Texas Open
Corey Conners talks with his caddie during the final round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio on April 7, 2019 in San Antonio, TX. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images

The field in San Antonio will be headlined by Texas native Jordan Spieth, who will look to defend his 2021 title.

The former world No. 1 entered the 2021 Valero in top form and thrilled the home crowd as he busted out of a nearly four-year winless streak. Many expected it would open the floodgates and return Spieth to his former elite status but it hasn’t quite happened. He will enter San Anotonio winless since that breakthrough victory, and with just a single top-10 finish in his last 12 starts.

Don’t count Spieth out at the Valero, though: in five career starts, he owns a win (2021), runner-up (2015), top-10 (2014) and top-30 (2019).

The three-time major winner will be joined by co-headliners: Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy – both of whom enter in questionable form, similar to Spieth.

Tony Finau
Tony Finau prepares to tee off on the sixth tee during the third round of the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio AT&T Oaks Course on April 22, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

McIlroy – the highest ranked player in the field, who will make his debut appearance in San Antonio – enters off two disappointing performances on the Florida Swing (T33 at The PLAYERS, T13 at Bay Hill). Before that, however, the Northern Irishman was playing at an elite level on the 2022 season, highlighted by a win a The CJ Cup in the wrap-around season.

DeChambeau, who failed to win a match in Austin, is also making his debut in San Antonio, and will be looking to get back on track in his first stroke play event in over two months.

One player in solid form appears to be Corey Conners, the 2019 Valero winner. The Canadian enters ranked No. 32 in the world (a career best) and off a three straight impressive results, highlighted by a 3rd-place finish last week in Austin, and a T11 at Bay Hill.

World No. 12 Hideki Matsuyama – the reigning Masters champion, and No. 16 Abraham Ancer are two more marquee players, both of whom round out the top-six betting favortites, alongside Spieth, McIlroy, DeChambeau and Conners.

Another marquee name is Rickie Fowler, who has been in a career tailspin that has seen his world ranking fall to 130th. For the second year in a row, the former Oklahoma State star failed to qualify for last week’s Match Play, and will need a win this week to avoid missing the Masters for the second straight year.

Other names to keep an eye on include Tony Finau, Gary Woodland, Jason Day, and Keegan Bradley.

Top-10 Betting Favorites
1. Rory McIlroy (8-1)
2. Jordan Spieth (14-1)
3. Hideki Matsuyama (16-1)
4. Corey Conners (18-1)
5. Abraham Ancer (20-1)
6. Bryson DeChambeau (28-1)
7. Adam Hadwin (33-1)
7. Gary Woodland (33-1)
7. Keegan Bradley (33-1)
7. Maverick McNealy (33-1)
7. Si Woo Kim (33-1)

How the Field Qualified for the Valero Texas Open
Rickie Fowler waits on the 11th tee with his caddie Joe Skovron during the second round of the 2019 Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio Oaks Course on April 05, 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Winner – PGA/U.S. Open Championship
Bryson DeChambeau
Gary Woodland
Jimmy Walker

Winner – THE PLAYERS Championship
Jason Day
Si Woo Kim
Rory McIlroy

Winner – The Masters
Hideki Matsuyama

Winner – The Open Championship
Jordan Spieth
Henrik Stenson

Winner – WGC Event
Abraham Ancer

Invitational Winners
Arnold Palmer, Memorial, Genesis (Last 3 Years)
Scottie Scheffler

PGA Tour Winner
Past two seasons
Ryan Brehm
Cameron Champ
Corey Conners
Tyler Duncan
Tony Finau
Rickie Fowler
Dylan Frittelli
Lucas Glover
Branden Grace
Lanto Griffin
Jim Herman
Garrick Higgo
Charles Howell III
Matt Jones
Sung Kang
Patton Kizzire
Matt Kuchar
Martin Laird
Andrew Landry
Nate Lashley
K.H. Lee
Luke List
Adam Long
Graeme McDowell
Carlos Ortiz
Ryan Palmer
C.T. Pan
J.T. Poston
Chez Reavie
Robert Streb
Hudson Swafford
Nick Taylor
Brendon Todd
Martin Trainer
Kevin Tway
Richy Werenski

Career Money Exemption
Luke Donald
Bill Haas
Nick Watney

Sponsors Exemptions
Members not otherwise exempt
Luke Donald
Bill Haas
Nick Watney

Sponsors Exemptions
Unrestricted
Ludvig Aberg
Logan McAllister
Guido Migliozzi

Designated Sponsor Exemptions
Takumi Kanaya
Min Woo Lee
Robert MacIntyre

PGA Section Champion\Player of the Year
Ben Kern

Past Champion of Respective Event
Kevin Chappell

Life Member
Davis Love III

Top 125 FedExCup Points
Prior Season
Charley Hoffman
Keegan Bradley
Lee Westwood
Maverick McNealy
Jhonattan Vegas
Chris Kirk
Kevin Streelman
Harry Higgs
Ian Poulter
Troy Merritt
Pat Perez
Andrew Putnam
Doug Ghim
Brandon Hagy
Peter Malnati
Wyndham Clark
Adam Schenk
Kramer Hickok
Brian Stuard
Henrik Norlander
Doc Redman
Roger Sloan
Brandt Snedeker
Hank Lebioda
Denny McCarthy
Adam Hadwin
Brendan Steele
James Hahn
Zach Johnson
Russell Knox
Matt Wallace
Sam Ryder
Matthew NeSmith
Kyle Stanley
Anirban Lahiri
Brice Garnett
Scott Stallings
Chesson Hadley

Korn Ferry Tour Points
(The 25 and The Finals 25)
Stephan Jaeger
Joseph Bramlett

Three-Victory Promotion via Korn Ferry Tour
Mito Pereira

Major Medical Extension
Danny Lee
William McGirt
Seung-Yul Noh
Jonas Blixt

Korn Ferry Tour Graduates
The 25 and The Finals 25 (reshuffled)
Cameron Young
Sahith Theegala
J.J. Spaun
Hayden Buckley
Taylor Moore
Patrick Rodgers
Aaron Rai
Taylor Pendrith
Lee Hodges
Vince Whaley
Alex Smalley
Greyson Sigg
Davis Riley
Adam Svensson
Trey Mullinax
David Lipsky
Chad Ramey
John Huh
Paul Barjon
Seth Reeves
Austin Smotherman
Max McGreevy
Curtis Thompson
Andrew Novak
Bronson Burgoon
Austin Cook
Matthias Schwab
Dylan Wu
Nick Hardy
Kelly Kraft
Justin Lower


Up Next On Tour

The first major of the season is up next, as all eyes will focus on Augusta National for the 2022 edition of the Masters Tournament.

Credit: Getty Images/Andrew Redington

Carey Hoffman and Paul Daly contributed to this preview.


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