Horse For The Course: PGA DFS Course History - 2026 Valero Texas Open

March 30, 2026

Todd McGill's DraftKings, FanDuel PGA DFS picks for the 2026 Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio. Picks for daily fantasy golf based on course history.

Man, what a week for professional golf, huh? The story of Tiger Woods' most recent car accident broke the internet, as he tends to do. That was followed up with a triumphant win for Gary Woodland on Sunday in Houston, for reasons beyond just his play. For those who look at life through a more interesting lens, it was a real dichotomy of two people in the redemption phase of their careers, and the comparison between overcoming mental hurdles and giving in to them.

The PGA Tour will now head three hours west to San Antonio for the Valero Texas Open. It's the last week for Augusta-bound players to get their final tune-ups in, and the last shot to punch your ticket for guys on the outside looking in. Like we've seen the last couple of weeks, this is another event where participation tends to see many guys fluctuate from year to year, trying to figure out the right way to prepare for the year's first major.

So, while there are plenty of names with multiple strong showings, there is little in the way of a past five-year sample size like more popular tournaments. However, the predictive course history is strong for more frequent players.

Horse For The Course is an article highlighting players in this week's field with elite course history and is part of our free PGA DFS content here at RotoBaller. For some of the favorite DFS plays of the week, check out the Core Four article written by my buddy, Joe Nicely, here at RotoBaller every Wednesday. It's part of our amazing PGA Premium package that includes an all-new PGA Research Station, Lineup Builder & Optimizer, and some of the best articles in the PGA DFS industry! You can sign up now using the Promo Code TDG for an extra 30% discount at checkout!

2026 Valero Texas Open

This year's event is in its usual timing, the week before The Masters. While many popular names are skipping this week, the tournament organizers have still assembled a nice field. Nine of the top 20 players in the world are here, with Tommy Fleetwood and Collin Morikawa at the top of the board.

It's normally an event more reserved for younger players or guys who have fallen off a little and need the reps. It's also been a great spot for first-time winners. That kind of profile, compared to what we have this year, really puts into perspective how seriously these guys are taking the tour's plans of reducing events and membership numbers.

Brian Harman is in the field to defend his victory from last season, where his winning score was four shots higher (-9 under) compared to the tournament's average since coming to TPC San Antonio in 2010. Wind is usually the biggest determining factor, as Mother Nature is this course's biggest defense, and this year will be no different.

You can find out who the smart money is on by checking out Spencer Aguiar's PGA DFS: Vegas Report weekly. Be sure to read our other top-notch weekly PGA DFS articles and Player News/Matchup Outlook Posts to help you win big!

TPC San Antonio - Oaks Course

Par 72 - 7,438 | Greens: Bermudagrass | Designed By: Pete Dye & Greg Norman

After last week's driving competition, TPC San Antonio returns to the importance of crafty approach play and having to think more strategically. Heavy bunkering around greens makes finding them a crucial part of success and places a high importance on strokes gained around the green, which isn't found at most tour venues.

As I previously mentioned, wind is the largest factor to consider for players this week. There is a bit of a "luck of the draw" situation for who will get the better of the scorable conditions before or after the wind wreaks its havoc. While comparing starting times with weather outlooks isn't always a concern, it's certainly not a bad thing to pay attention to here.

For more in-depth statistics to make your lineups, bogey avoidance, scrambling from the sand, and approach data from both 250+ and 125 yards or less are vital this week. In all, TPC San Antonio is a great test that requires a commitment to your game plan, consistent execution, and avoiding the catastrophic hole or two that can take you out. Sound familiar?

Recent Valero Texas Open Winners

• 2025: Brian Harman (-9)
• 2024: Akshay Bhatia (-20)
• 2023: Corey Conners (-15)
• 2022: J.J. Spaun (-13)
• 2021: Jordan Spieth (-18)

The Horse

Jordan Spieth

• Notable Finishes: 1st ('21), 2nd ('15), T10 ('24)

There are a couple of names on the PGA Tour who are synonymous with the Lone Star State, but none more than Jordan Spieth. Winning this event in 2021 and only missing the cut once in nine appearances, the 32-year-old has been a consistent threat at TPC San Antonio.

He ranks second in the field in average total strokes gained (2.276) over the last five years. Spieth has been elite from tee to green here, and all signs from recent play point towards similar expectations this year. I was big on the former Longhorn coming into the season and, for the most part, he has lived up to expectations. He's just missing the statement week, which could happen any time.

The Ponies

Corey Conners

• Notable Finishes: 1st ('19 & '23), T14 ('21)

Corey Conners get his second tour win four years after his first 🏆

🎥: @PGATOUR | @coreconn pic.twitter.com/w7YdPYuEz7

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 2, 2023

As the only two-time winner of this event in the field, Corey Conners was surely bound to find his way to this piece. However, I couldn't list him as the horse for a couple of reasons. He's only recently found his swing in his last two starts, and other than his two victories, he only has one other finish inside the top 15 in seven tries.

Iron play has, by and large, been the biggest key to the Canadian's success. Over his seven career appearances, Conners has averaged 1.23 strokes gained on approach. TPC San Antonio has a clear focus on giving players a mix of lengthy numbers and wedges. The 34-year-old excels with pretty much any iron put in his hand, but the wedge play leaves much to be desired, and has trended negatively this season compared to his two-year baseline.

Still, you can't argue with the body of work and the comfort he has on this golf course. He has much more DFS appeal after two weeks of solid effort, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him be in the mix again.

Denny McCarthy

• Notable Finishes: P2 ('24), T18 ('22 & '25)

How's this from 161 yards out? 😳🎯

Tap-in birdie for Denny McCarthy. pic.twitter.com/gDFhbcFUvz

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) March 20, 2026

Things haven't been great for Denny McCarthy this season. However, a flash of form showed this past week in Houston, just in time for a course made for him. TPC San Antonio allows the 33-year-old to flex his putting prowess and gives him plenty of shorter holes to take advantage of.

Most years provide room to hang around if you can keep plotting along and avoid bogeys. McCarthy isn't the player to blow the doors off of golf tournaments and take over, but as long as he continues to perform on the greens at his 1.391 strokes gained average, he'll do what is needed to be useful in DFS.

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Matt Kuchar

• Notable Finishes: T2 ('24), T3 ('23), T12 ('21)

After losing his father Peter this year, Matt Kuchar shares why this win with his son Cameron means so much. 💙 pic.twitter.com/bvtESeNeD5

— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) December 21, 2025

It feels wrong to have Matt Kuchar here, as he's virtually irrelevant to DFS any other week, but he's been a factor in nearly every tournament here since 2019. He's lost what strength he had off the tee, though it hasn't kept him from still having a 1.964 total strokes gained average over the last five seasons.

The 47-year-old is far from a worthwhile DFS play, as the volatility is too high to justify with course history being the only upside.

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