The world’s best golfers will head this week to the famed Oaks course in San Antonio, Texas for the 2016 edition of the Valero Texas Open. A total of $6.2 million is at stake for the world-class field with the winner grabbing not only 500 FedEx Cup points but also the $1.116 million top prize.
Read on below as we list down three high-value long shots who we believe can take home the championship this weekend. While you’re at it, you can check out our sleeper picks for the 2016 Valero Texas Open.
2016 Valero Texas Open Long Shots and Best Value Predictions
Where: Oaks Course, TPC San Antonio
When: April 21-24
Lines: view all Valero Texas Open lines
Hudson Swafford
Looking for a worthy long shot this week? How about Hudson Swafford? The American is one of the longest hitters on tour, averaging a whopping 306.6 yards per drive this season. That will be a major weapon for Swafford as he tackles the long 7,435-yard, par-72 course here at TPC San Antonio this week. Swafford already has two top-15 finishes this year and it isn’t far-fetched to see him contend here at the Lone Star State.
Want to make some money on the PGA Tour? Create a betting account now and cash in on all the exciting golf action.
Ben Curtis
To say that Ben Curtis has a disappointing 2016 season would be a severe understatement. He has only played once this year, missing the cut at last month’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. Curtis struggled mightily in that tournament, shooting 82-80 in the opening two rounds. That being said, he’s still one long shot who’s worth a punt for this week’s Valero Texas Open. He has had some success in this event before, winning the championship back in 2012. He finished with a nine-under-par total of 279 and won the title by two strokes over Matt Every and John Huh.
Jerry Kelly
One long shot who can definitely make a run at the title this week is Jerry Kelly. The grizzled veteran finished in a tie for 45th at the recently-concluded RBC Heritage tournament, shooting a four-over-par total of 288. The three-time PGA Tour winner is 2-for-4 here at TPC San Antonio with a T18 in 2012 and a T6 in 2014.
What makes Kelly such a huge threat in every golf event that he competes on is his solid hitting off the tee. He is sixth in the PGA Tour in driving accuracy percentage, with a 70.40 percent clip. That will come in handy when tackling the narrow fairways of this notoriously tough Oaks course.
