Golf tips, free bets and latest odds for the Valero Texas Open

Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and a host of other top players are on a confidence-boosting mission in Texas this week, on the final PGA Tour stop before the Masters.

World No 2 McIlroy is one of six players from the top 12 in the rankings teeing it up in the Valspar Championship at San Antonio, and the Northern Irishman could certainly do with a bit of encouragement.

His share of 19th place in the Players Championship last time out was his only top twenty finish in five outings States-side since he won the Dubai Desert Classic - not the sort of form you want to be taking to Augusta.

It is certainly not the sort of form that warrants a quote as 10-1 favourite, especially in a field that also includes the likes of Brian Harman, Max Homa, Ludvig Aberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, and the ever-unpredictable Spieth.

Rory finished 2nd here when he made his Valspar debut in 2013, and missed the cut when he returned two years ago. 

His last two Masters starts also read 2nd-missed cut, which sort of underlines that it is hard to know what to expect from him these days.

And after backing Stephen Jaeger at 50/1 last week here are my picks for this one.

How to bet on golf

Here are five easy steps for beginners.

1. Choose Your Favourite Sportsbook – there are plenty to choose from and most have their own app or mobile site.

2. Make a Deposit – each sportsbook will walk you through how to connect your bank account to their system including providing a list of all the safeguards they have set up to ensure the safety of your transactions.

3. Claim Your Bonuses – most sportsbooks offers bonuses to first time bettors in the form of free bets.

4. Place Your Bet – now it’s time to navigate through your sportsbook’s odds where they will offer a variety of options including outright winners, or top finishing positions, such as top 10 or 20, or even to make the cut. For the event this week each way odds are generally paid on the top eight players.

5. Collect Your Winnings – If you're successful you will be able to withdraw your winnings once the bet is complete. Some bookmakers offer cashout options on certain bets as well, which is worth keeping an eye on.

Where to find the best odds for the golf?

Lots of bookmakers have different options for betting on the golf this week, including competitive odds and different place markets.

We like the markets on bet365, including the price boosts on offer pre-event.

Valero Texas Open betting tips

McIlroy’s downbeat mood provides a stark contrast to the bubbly manner displayed by Matt Fitzpatrick. He finished like a train at the Players with a hat-trick of birdies to finish solo fifth in the best field assembled so far this year.

Fitzpatrick loves a tough challenge, and San Antonio will provide that, especially if the wind picks up. At 28-1, he makes most appeal of those near the top of the market.

Defending champion Corey Conners can be backed at the same price - only slightly shorter than when he did us a favour at 33-1 here a year ago.

That was the Canadian’s second victory in this event, and he should also figure strongly again.

And a couple of players whose names have figured in this column a few times recently are also worth another look.

Alex Noren is knocking on the door, and was only a shot away from justifying each way support in Houston last week, despite a slow start. He was tied 15th here last year, and is capable of doing much better than that.

Ben An also showed up well at San Antonio last year, finishing in a share of sixth behind Conners.

A repeat of that effort would make him an attractive each way proposition at 40-1, but he should be aiming higher than that.

A missed cut at the Players was a disappointment, but I prefer to judge him on his eighth at Bay Hill and two top four finishes in Hawaii.

Aaron Rai is another player who has shown a liking for San Antonio in the past. And his share of seventh place in  Houston last week suggested he might be worth a second look here at around 60-1.

Fellow Englishman David Skinns finished on the same mark as Rai in Houston, and is up a career high 147th in the world rankings - hardly earth-shattering, but he is heading in the right direction.

Nick Dunlap was only a shot away from rewarding each way followers at 250-1 last week, and Skinns can be backed at the same price. He could easily go one better than Dunlap.

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