Valero Texas Open Shines Light on Competitive Field | IXGAMES
PGA fans looking for a unique opportunity to bet on golf in a truly traditional sense will get exactly that this week, as the Valero Texas Open is scheduled to unfold Thursday without the majority of big names that tend to dominate (and distract) in the sportsbook. Have insight into how the wide open contest will go down? While Phil Mickelson still remains front and center as a household name competing in the draw, casual golf fans will get more than enough chances to broaden their knowledge with Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott all passing on the event. Suddenly contenders like Matt Kuchar, Zach Johnson and Jimmy Walker are among the top tier of PGA betting options. Mickelson leads the way with 14/1 odds, while Kuchar and Johnson trail at 18/1 and Walker follows at 20/1. Other notable options like Jordan Spieth and Charley Hoffman help round out a competitive field. Spieth’s a red-hot 20-year-old and Hoffman’s a veteran all too familiar with the event and course. Can reigning champion Martin Laird repeat with just 50/1 odds? Is there anything left in the tank for 2012 winner Ben Curtis at 150/1? Time to start the research.