Phil, Zach set for Texas tussle

The Texas Open is one of the oldest tournaments on the yearly PGA Tour schedule, dating all the way back to 1922.
Played at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course the last few years, the latest venue of many, and now billed as the Valero Texas Open, the event has a long and proud history.
Eleven-time major champion Walter Hagan lifted the trophy back in 1923, the likes of Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead dominated during the 40s and Arnold Palmer picked up three consecutive wins between 1960 and 1962.
Recent champions include Zach Johnson, who picked up back-to-back wins in 2008 and 2009, Adam Scott, who won the following year, and Scotsman Martin Laird, who is this year’s defending champion.
Johnson and Laird are back in the field this year and will be ones to watch in a week where many of the world’s best are choosing to sit out.
Headlining the field is Phil Mickelson, whose attendance was gleefully confirmed by tournament organisers last week.
Mickelson hasn’t had too much success so far in 2014, but he’s still been installed as a joint 18/1 favourite week alongside two-time champ Johnson. He is coming off a top 20, but must contend with a course he hasn’t played since 1992.
Others to watch this week include Matt Kuchar (20/1), Jordan Spieth (20/1) and Jimmy Walker (22/1), while Texas native Ryan Palmer (28/1) is coming off a T8 at the Sony Open and runner-up finishes at the Humana Classic and the Honda Classic, and will be going all out in front of his home crowds as he looks to secure Masters qualification.
Veteran Jim Furyk (25/1) is also fancied. In his Texas Open debut last year, Furyk was under par for every round on the way to a T3 finish. He also has three top 25s to his name this season.
TPC San Antonio boasts two championship courses, the AT&T Canyons Course designed by Pete Dye, and the AT&T Oaks Course, designed by Greg Norman with Tour Player Consultant Sergio Garcia.
It’s the Oaks course that will host the action this week, a 7,435-yard par 72 that features four lengthy par-5s that players must try and use to their full advantage.
Problem is, they’re all tough birdie chances, and their greens are notoriously difficult to find in two. Part of the reason for that is the prevailing San Antonio winds which seldom offer players any respite.
The tournament should be treated to dry conditions and sunny skies for most of the week, though thunderstorms could make an appearance on Thursday.
Latest
-
News
Xander Schauffele pledges to ‘fake it until I make it’ after contracting Covid
Schauffele is one of 16 players in the Sentry Tournament of Champions who failed to win an official event last season.
-
News
After years with TaylorMade, Jon Rahm joins Callaway
Spaniard will have Callaway woods and irons in his bag at Sentry Tournament of Champions.
-
News
What to expect from the 2021 OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic
There are more prestigious events on the European Tour, but there’s no denying that the Dubai Desert Classic just has something about it.
-
News
Organisers delay ticketing process for 2021 Masters as another fan shutout looms
Augusta National Golf Club is considering its options before making a call on 2021 Masters.
-
News
Tiger Woods’ former swing coach: I think I over-coached him
Sean Foley reckons he didn’t give Tiger the help he really needed.
-
News
Greg Norman returns home from hospital to await coronavirus test results
The 65-year-old spent Christmas Day in hospital after experiencing symptoms.
-
News
Greg Norman in hospital with coronavirus
The 65-year-old shared a photo of himself in a hospital bed on Christmas Day.
-
News
Lee Westwood sees age as no barrier to his golfing aspirations
Westwood, at the age of 47, has been crowned European Tour’s Golfer of the Year for 2020.
-
News
Tiger Woods and son Charlie finish seventh in PNC Championship
Tiger said it was “incredibly special” to spend quality time with his son on the golf course.
-
News
Tiger Woods and son Charlie create media storm in Florida
Woods Jnr’s swing looks an awful lot like his famous father’s.