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Power Rankings: Valero Texas Open
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April 17, 2017
By Rob Bolton, PGATOUR.COM
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Jimmy Walker is a San Antonio local and won the Valero Texas Open in 2015. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Balancing a firm, fair test with expected weather conditions may challenge the tournament organizers of the Valero Texas Open more than any other PGA TOUR stop of the season. It's an imperfect science that the field of 156 can contain with a whole lot of imagination, or at least attempt to.
TPC San Antonio's Oaks Course possesses many defenses, not the least of which is the wind of south Texas. However, even when it's down, relatively speaking, the course holds its own. In its seventh spin as host last year, the par 36-36=72 surrendered its lowest scoring average, which was still 0.206 strokes over par. More on this beneath the ranking.POWER RANKINGS: VALERO TEXAS OPEN
rank player comment 1 
Charley Hoffman Phenomenal record at TPC San Antonio. Sat No. 1 in last year's Power Rankings, and then prevailed. Illustrated more than enough form in 2017 to warrant this spot again.
2 
Brendan Steele A regular since his breakthrough title here in 2011, and it's paid off. Three more top 15s since. Currently fourth in bogey avoidance. TOUR-leading 16 consecutive cuts made.
A regular since his breakthrough title here in 2011, and it's paid off. Three more top 15s since. Currently fourth in bogey avoidance. TOUR-leading 16 consecutive cuts made.
3 
Jimmy Walker The local resident and 2015 champ comes in having cashed in seven straight starts, four for a top 25. Led the field at the Masters in one-putt percentage; T4 in scrambling.
The local resident and 2015 champ comes in having cashed in seven straight starts, four for a top 25. Led the field at the Masters in one-putt percentage; T4 in scrambling.
4 
Luke Donald Now a five-time runner-up at Harbour Town, he chased last year's T2 in Hilton Head Island with a T13 as a first-timer at TPC San Antonio. Sat T3 after 54 holes.
Now a five-time runner-up at Harbour Town, he chased last year's T2 in Hilton Head Island with a T13 as a first-timer at TPC San Antonio. Sat T3 after 54 holes.
5 
Kevin Chappell Presented with an opportunity to add to his reputation as a hard-track specialist. Record here includes a T2 (2011), a T15 (2013) and a T4 (2016). Placed T7 at the Masters.
Presented with an opportunity to add to his reputation as a hard-track specialist. Record here includes a T2 (2011), a T15 (2013) and a T4 (2016). Placed T7 at the Masters.
6 
Billy Horschel True to his preference, he's excelled at tough TPC San Antonio with a T3 in 2013, a solo third in 2015 and a T4 last year. Ranks 11th on TOUR in greens in regulation.
True to his preference, he's excelled at tough TPC San Antonio with a T3 in 2013, a solo third in 2015 and a T4 last year. Ranks 11th on TOUR in greens in regulation.
7 
Ryan Palmer Native Texan finding form on cue. T11 at Harbour Town ended a seven-month drought without a top 35. Four top 15s at TPC San Antonio, including a T6 (2015) and T4 (2016).
Native Texan finding form on cue. T11 at Harbour Town ended a seven-month drought without a top 35. Four top 15s at TPC San Antonio, including a T6 (2015) and T4 (2016).
8 
Daniel Summerhays Horse. No matter his form upon arrival, he's risen to the occasion at TPC San Antonio where he's 5-for-5 since 2012. His last four results, respectively: T7-T2-T4-T13.
Horse. No matter his form upon arrival, he's risen to the occasion at TPC San Antonio where he's 5-for-5 since 2012. His last four results, respectively: T7-T2-T4-T13.
9 
Adam Hadwin Not surprisingly, he's sustained form despite breakthrough win at Copperhead. It's the product of a balanced skill set and experience. Third in bogey avoidance.
Not surprisingly, he's sustained form despite breakthrough win at Copperhead. It's the product of a balanced skill set and experience. Third in bogey avoidance.
10 
Ryan Moore First trip since a T8 in his debut in 2012. Took last week off after a personal-best T9 at the Masters, which was also his first top-15 finish since the fall.
First trip since a T8 in his debut in 2012. Took last week off after a personal-best T9 at the Masters, which was also his first top-15 finish since the fall.
11 
Branden Grace Tied for 11th in his title defense of the RBC Heritage. Survived last year's VTO cut on the number to go 3-for-3 at TPC San Antonio, and turned the opportunity into a T9.
Tied for 11th in his title defense of the RBC Heritage. Survived last year's VTO cut on the number to go 3-for-3 at TPC San Antonio, and turned the opportunity into a T9.
12 
Matt Kuchar Dynamite the last two Sundays, but hasn't put four rounds together. It's already a challenge to do that in San Antonio, but he's perfect here since 2012 with three top 15s.
Dynamite the last two Sundays, but hasn't put four rounds together. It's already a challenge to do that in San Antonio, but he's perfect here since 2012 with three top 15s.
13 
Zach Johnson Since a personal-best T6 at TPC San Antonio in 2014, he's 3-for-3 with eight red numbers. Both of his VTO titles occurred at LaCantera GC (2008, 2009).
Since a personal-best T6 at TPC San Antonio in 2014, he's 3-for-3 with eight red numbers. Both of his VTO titles occurred at LaCantera GC (2008, 2009).
14 
Brooks Koepka It was just a matter of time before he reconnected with some confidence. After surviving pool play at the Match Play, he tied for 11th at the Masters.
It was just a matter of time before he reconnected with some confidence. After surviving pool play at the Match Play, he tied for 11th at the Masters.
15 
Sam Saunders Arrives for his tournament debut in terrific form with three consecutive top 20s. Ranked fifth in strokes gained: putting at Harbour Town and led the field in par breakers
Arrives for his tournament debut in terrific form with three consecutive top 20s. Ranked fifth in strokes gained: putting at Harbour Town and led the field in par breakers
Patrick Reed, Tony Finau, Kevin Na, Chris Kirk and 2013 champ Martin Laird are among the notables who will be included in Tuesday's Fantasy Insider.
Last year, TPC San Antonio yielded tournament highs in both fairways hit (8.84 of 14 per round) and greens in regulation (11.09 per round). Its proximity-to-the-hole clip of 36 feet, one inch, also was a record, yet the field's propensity to capitalize on its scoring opportunities fell in line with history, averaging just over three per round, easily slotting the Oaks Course inside the harder half of all courses.
Meanwhile, the quartet of par 5s ranked third-toughest of any set all season with a scoring average of 4.86. They've ranked no lower than fourth since TPC San Antonio debuted in 2010. So, this week's champion will have likely scored well on the par 5s, which is almost always expected on a par 72, as well as found a groove on the (at-times tricky) greens. Tuesday's Comfort Zone will illustrate how this combination portends success on the 7,435-yard Greg Norman design.
This week's forecast includes a little bit of everything. After a warm open with daytime highs in the mid-80s, freshening winds will signal the imminent threat of rain and thunderstorms. With that extending into Saturday, a cooling will occur. It will set the stage for a glorious weekend overall. Residual energy will be felt in the form of moderate breezes.
ROB BOLTON’S WRITING SCHEDULE
PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Columnist Rob Bolton will be filing his usual staples leading up to this week’s event. Look for the following columns this week.
MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings
TUESDAY*: Sleepers, Comfort Zone, Fantasy Insider
WEDNESDAY: One & Done
THURSDAY: Ownership Percentages in PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf and One & Done presented by SERVPRO
* - Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks, which also publishes on Tuesdays.
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Phenomenal record at TPC San Antonio. Sat No. 1 in last year's Power Rankings, and then prevailed. Illustrated more than enough form in 2017 to warrant this spot again.