Houston ended with one of the most emotional Sundays you’ll see on the PGA TOUR all year. Gary Woodland won the Texas Children’s Houston Open at -21, closing with a 67 to win by five shots over Nicolai Højgaard. It was Woodland’s first PGA Tour win since the 2019 U.S. Open and his fifth Tour victory.
Woodland built separation with birdies on holes 7 through 9, while Jake Knapp tied the course record with a bogey-free 62, highlighted by a 43-foot eagle putt on No. 16. More than anything, the week was a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift.
Now it’s on to San Antonio for the Valero Texas Open, the final Tour stop before Augusta and a true last-chance tune-up week.
The Setup: Tournament Stakes, Field, and Storylines
The Valero Texas Open runs April 2 through April 5 at TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course), with Brian Harman returning as the defending champion. The purse sits at $9.8 million, with $1.76 million to the winner and 500 FedExCup points on the line.
The storylines are straightforward.
First, the field is strong enough to feel like a final Masters rehearsal. Names expected include Tommy Fleetwood, Jordan Spieth, J.J. Spaun, Hideki Matsuyama, Sepp Straka, Ludvig Åberg, Maverick McNealy, Russell Henley, Robert MacIntyre, and Harman.
Second, this is a week driven by urgency. Players are either building momentum, getting a final competitive rep, or chasing a result that changes their season.
Notably, the Valero Texas Open dates back to 1922 and is considered the third-oldest PGA Tour event, and the oldest held in the same city for its entire run.
The Course: What It Demands and What It Punishes
TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course plays as a par 72 at 7,438 yards, designed by Pete Dye with input from Greg Norman. The overseeded Bermudagrass setup creates a surface that rewards control more than aggression.
The course looks wide off the tee, but many of those lines are deceptive. Controlled driving and disciplined approach shots are essential.
Early in the round, the course applies pressure immediately. The opening stretch offers limited scoring opportunities, and par is often a good result. Hole 4 is one of the most difficult on the front nine, while the short par-4 fifth presents one of the few early chances to attack.
This is not a bomb-and-gouge layout. Miss in the wrong spots and mistakes compound quickly.
Who Fits Here: Player Archetypes and Names to Know
Tommy Fleetwood is the most logical fit at the top of the board given how much this course rewards consistent tee-to-green play. His profile aligns well with a layout that punishes volatility.
Jordan Spieth brings the “Texas week” narrative and a past win here in 2021, which matters on a course where comfort on the closing stretch can be an edge.
Brian Harman returns as the defending champion, and that familiarity is relevant on a course that demands precision.
Hideki Matsuyama also stands out as a strong fit. This course rewards commitment to lines and numbers, and that type of controlled approach tends to minimize big mistakes.
Betting Board: Odds, Angles, and Smart Plays (as of Tuesday, 3/31/26)
The outright market is tightly priced, with little separation at the top.
FanDuel lists Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Åberg at +1500, Jordan Spieth at +1600, and Russell Henley at +1800 among the shortest odds.
DraftKings has Fleetwood at +1425, followed by Åberg at +1500, Henley and Robert MacIntyre at +1800, and Spieth at +2050.
With no clear standout favorite, this sets up as a board where mid-tier value may be more appealing than chasing short numbers at the top.
One-and-Done / Season-Long Strategy
This is a classic decision point for One-and-Done players.
With Augusta and other high-value events ahead, many will prefer to save elite options. That makes Valero a logical spot to deploy a high-end player who is not typically your first choice in majors.
Fleetwood stands out as the most defensible option from a win-equity standpoint given his consistency and current form. Spieth offers a viable alternative for those leaning on course history and familiarity.
What I’m Watching When the First Tee Shot Flies
First, which players show patience early. The opening stretch does not offer much relief, and those who avoid early mistakes will separate quickly.
Second, who is treating this as a tune-up versus a must-win. There is a clear difference in approach between players preparing for Augusta and those trying to force a result.
Third, Johnny Keefer. The Tour sophomore finished T3 in Houston after missing the cut in all three Florida starts, and I’ll be curious to see if he can keep the mojo going in the Lone Star state.
Wrap: The Takeaway + Next Stop
Woodland’s win in Houston was a reminder of how quickly things can change on Tour.
San Antonio presents a more technical test, and with Augusta next week, the field should be focused and competitive.
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