This article is part of our PGA Tour Stats Review series.
For many on the PGA Tour, the Texas Open has become a forgotten event, squeezed between the famed Masters-RBC Heritage run and preceding a newly revamped Zurich Classic that'll feature a team format and seven of the top-10 players in the world. But this could be a breakout week for someone. Here's our stats thread.
Wesley Bryan Shines
Wesley Bryan is known for his trick shots but what won him the RBC Heritage was his approach shots. High in proximity to the hole all week – something Nick Faldo stressed on the CBS telecast repeatedly – Bryan finished second in strokes gained – approach to the green, tenth in around the green and 11th in putting. He hit it fairly close, got it close if he missed the green, and made the putts. That'll work.
The Stat
This is a weird week to pick a stat because the golf course, TPC San Antonio, isn't remembered for much besides Kevin Na's 16 several years ago. The key is to drive it well, as you don't want to get it off line into deep bunkers or native grasses. Those high in strokes gained – off the tee in the field this week are:
Tony Finau - .849 strokes gained on the field per round
Greg Owen - .639
Bryson DeChambeau - .573
Andrew Johnston - .565
Luke List - .565
This is admittedly not a great list, in a field that isn't that great either. We'll recommend Finau because he has a
For many on the PGA Tour, the Texas Open has become a forgotten event, squeezed between the famed Masters-RBC Heritage run and preceding a newly revamped Zurich Classic that'll feature a team format and seven of the top-10 players in the world. But this could be a breakout week for someone. Here's our stats thread.
Wesley Bryan Shines
Wesley Bryan is known for his trick shots but what won him the RBC Heritage was his approach shots. High in proximity to the hole all week – something Nick Faldo stressed on the CBS telecast repeatedly – Bryan finished second in strokes gained – approach to the green, tenth in around the green and 11th in putting. He hit it fairly close, got it close if he missed the green, and made the putts. That'll work.
The Stat
This is a weird week to pick a stat because the golf course, TPC San Antonio, isn't remembered for much besides Kevin Na's 16 several years ago. The key is to drive it well, as you don't want to get it off line into deep bunkers or native grasses. Those high in strokes gained – off the tee in the field this week are:
Tony Finau - .849 strokes gained on the field per round
Greg Owen - .639
Bryson DeChambeau - .573
Andrew Johnston - .565
Luke List - .565
This is admittedly not a great list, in a field that isn't that great either. We'll recommend Finau because he has a win on his resume and because he's starting to find a more well-rounded overall game. This season he ranks sixth in strokes gained-off the tee but also 35th in approach to the green and 79th in around the green, better marks than one may expect. If the putter comes around (he currently ranks 170th), he cut contend. Watch out this week if that club gets hot.
The Field
The defending champion is Charley Hoffman, who is as good a pick as anyone because he's very consistent, has the game for this type of golf course and checks out well stats wise: 25th in strokes gained off the tee, and 48th in birdie average. The inconsistency of his 2017 game shows in other stats: 103rd in scoring average, 138th in driving accuracy and 133rd in greens hit, but he may be your best bet this week.
My pick to win is Brendan Steele, who won this event for his first PGA Tour win in 2011 and is made for this golf course. He won the season-opening Safeway Open, and is 44th in strokes gained-off the tee, 20th in approach to the green and 29th in around the green. He's a great pick this week.
Others in the field include Patrick Reed, Jimmy Walker (who announced he has Lyme Disease today), Anirban Lahiri, JJ Spaun, Ryan Moore, Matt Kuchar, Branden Grace, Chris Kirk, Adam Hadwin, Graeme McDowell, B.H. An, Keegan Bradley, Luke Donald (who finished second last week), and Harold Varner III.
Watch out for Spaun, too. He had a high finish last week at Harbour Town, T6, for his third top-10 and fifth top-25 of the season, while ranking sixth in strokes gained – off the tee and ninth in putting.
The Weather
The weather will be nice, with temperatures in mid-80s with clouds and sun Thursday-Friday followed by sunny and cooler conditions in the 70s over the weekend. It'll be especially breezy Saturday.
