Fantasy Crystal Ball: Valero Texas Open

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This week, the PGA Tour kicks off its newly reconstituted Texas Swing with the Valero Texas Open at La Cantera in San Antonio.  The event was a Fall Series event for the last several years, but had been drawing decent fields.  In order to fill a gap left by the Atlanta event going by the wayside, the Texas Open got an upgrade and the swing is back.

The Texas Open is one of this country's oldest and most revered touranments.  It's been played since 1922 and almost every big name in golf - except Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods - have claimed this championship.  This year, though, One Eyed Golfer points out that only three of the top 30 in the current FedEx Cup standings will be in the field.

Zach Johnson is defending champion.  His win last year proved to him that he could win outside of the state of Georgia.  He later went on to win in Hawaii this year.  I would consider him a solid pick, particularly since he is somehow on the B list.

Even more solid is Justin Leonard.  He is a Texan and a three time champion of this event.  If you don't put him on your team, I don't know what is wrong with you.  It's a no-brainer.

I'm filling out my A list with John Mallinger.  Like Zach's win proved he could win outside of Georgia, Mallinger's finish at the Players proved he could play better at anywhere not named Pebble Beach.

I like Charley Hoffman on my B-team because he proved in that Bob Hope Chrysler Classic win that he can handle very windy conditions.  La Cantera isn't as prone to the wind as other Texas courses, but I'd expect some solid play from him.

The C-list offers some intriguing options this week, but my sure bet is Scott Verplank.  He, too, loves Texas golf despite his Oklahoma State roots.  He finished T36 last year and that's good enough for me.

Best of luck this week!