After 14 adrenaline-filled events, we are just one tournament away from the Masters. The Valero Texas Open will be a crucial one for the golfers as it will help some in getting into the player’s roster for the Masters, while for others, it will help in getting the lost form back. Even with the recent winners, apart from Rory McIlroy, 12 different winners took the purse increase with crucial points to increase OWGR. Now, with the 15th and final event, before heading for Augusta National, the bets are strong against the top names. But will they achieve the expectations? Well, the answer to that will be unveiled in a few days. Before that, let’s take who has the most expectations for the Valero Texas Open.

Top bets for the Valero Texas Open

1. Tommy Fleetwood

The Englishman who won his last event at the Dubai Invitational in 2024 hasn’t achieved his first at the PGA Tour, yet. The golfer, despite his winless streak, has made a notable improvement in the OWGR with his performance in the past. Tommy Fleetwood is currently 9th on the OWGR, but apart from changing his world ranking, this time, he would be aiming to clinch his first PGA Tour victory.

Even with his ongoing performance, the golfer has shown a glimpse of winning performance but has lacked consistency. His best finish came at the Genesis Invitational, where he was placed T5. Fleetwood had a great finish in the last three rounds of 68-69-68 at Genesis, but his subpar first round was the impostor for his loss. He scored 75 in the first round, resulting in 8 under as the final score. However, notably, the 34-year-old has been in the top 25 throughout his appearance this year, making him top the list for bets at the Valero Texas Open.

2. Corey Conners

Apart from Tommy Fleetwood, the 33-year-old Corey Conners is another top name that is in strong contention at the event. The golfer, apart from his ongoing form, has a great course record which will follow. His two career wins at the PGA Tour came at the Valero Texas Open. First in 2019 and second in 2023. Apart from the strong course form, the golfer has already showcased the best of his skill set in 2025.

Out of the 8 participations this year, Conners has two top-5 and two top-10 finishes under his name. The best result came at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he was placed solo third. And for the fact, after that, he has T6 at The Players Championship and T8 at the Valspar Championship. With his ongoing form, he will be a strong name for the victory.

 3. Ludvig Aberg

Ludvig Aberg will be another player on the list. The Swede has already made his mark through the 2025 season by winning the Genesis Invitational. He beat the top golfers, including Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, to clinch his second PGA Tour victory. The golfer, with his glimpses of being a future superstar, will have the attention of the golf world.

Even though he was unable to carry the form forward, as he was T22 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and missed the cut at the Players Championship. Despite the drop, Aberg is in a strong spot to maintain the top contention before making the move for the Masters.

4. Patrick Cantlay

The world No. 15 has already shown bits and pieces of his impressive performance in 2025. Patrick Cantlay, who has 9 professional victories, including 8 in the PGA Tour, has a strong probability of winning the Valero Texas Open. Until now, he came close to the victorious spot, but felt short twice. Cantlay has two T5 finishes at namely the American Express and the Genesis Invitational. But with his last participation before the Masters, he will aim to start off on a high note.

The 33-year-old has recorded the best round of 65 in the 2025 season. Notably, he has only five subpar rounds out of the 6 events he has participated in.

5. Hideki Matsuyama

The 2021 Masters winner started off the 2025 schedule with a victory. He won the Sentry with a record low of under 35. However, his form took a toll after his win as the next best finish he could reach was T16 at the Sony Open in Hawaii. In fact, the Japanese professional missed the cut at the 2025 Players Championship, which was his most recentparticipation.

Now, to get back to the form he started with and enter the Masters with the hope of recreating the 2021 memories, the golfer is among the most vouched-for players.

With top names participating in the Valero Texas Open, it will be an interesting one to observe who will clinch the victory before the Masters. Who, according to you, will start the Masters campaign with a victory? Share your picks with us in the comments below.