Valero Texas Open predictions: Kuchar to secure late Augusta invite

- This tournament is the third oldest on the PGA Tour 
- The winner of the Texas Open will secure a place in next week's Masters 
- Recommended bets: 
- Matt Kuchar to win and each-way 
- Kevin Streelman to win and each-way

The Valero Texas Open provides the customary pre-Masters action this week and with the winner earning a late invite to the Augusta National spectacle, there are several players in the field that will be doing all they can to claim the spoils.

Englishman Tyrrell Hatton is the highest-ranked player in the field at number 17 and it is interesting to see him making his debut at TPC San Antonio, given the fact he has already qualified for the Masters, but he maybe feels he can fine-tune his game ahead of his bid for a first Green Jacket and he leads the betting this week at 12/1 with LiveScore Bet.

American Rickie Fowler has managed to rediscover some form over the past few months and he is 18/1 to clinch the victory that would see him return to August for the first time since 2020, while Corey Conners, Hideki Matsuyama and Si Woo Kim — who will all be teeing it up in Georgia — are all priced at 22/1.

It promises to be an entertaining event at TPC Antonio, a course that demands accuracy off the tee and strong approach play, and there are two players in the betting that stick out at attractive prices.

Kuchar leading the way

One player that requires a victory to make the Masters next week is Matt Kuchar and, given his strong form at this course, there is every chance he could land his 10th PGA Tour title.

Since 2012, the American has made the cut here in all 10 appearances and he came close to lifting the trophy last year when ending up tied-second, two shots behind winner J.J. Spaun.

Kuchar also arrives here off the back of a solid showing at the WGC Match Play, where he managed to win a tough-looking group before being edged out by a resurgent Jason Day in the last-16 stage.

That was the 44-year-old's third top 10 of 2023 and he is worth taking on at 28/1 with LiveScore Bet to land the victory this week.

Streelman appeals at big odds

Further down the betting is Kevin Streelman, who is available at 100/1 with LiveScore Bet to end an almost nine-year wait for a third PGA Tour title that would also see him return to the Masters for the first time since 2016.

The American also has strong course form at TPC San Antonio and he has made the cut on all eight appearances, picking up two top 10s and only finishing out of the top 20 on two occasions. He can be backed at 10/3 with LiveScore Bet to add another top 20 to his CV.

Streelman produced his best effort of the year last time out at the Valspar Championship, finishing T27, and he can keep the momentum going in Texas.