It’s tough to believe it: The Masters is almost here! First, we have one more PGA Tour event with an invite to Augusta National on the line. The 2021 Valero Texas Open has a strong-ish field, highlighted by 2020 Masters champion Dustin Johnson (7-1), who decided to play the week before the Masters, which paid off in November with DJ contending in Houston the previous week.
This time, we’re back to San Antonio and the traditional slot for the Texas Open preceding the Masters Tournament. We’ve seen some dramatic moments and players earning a berth in the biggest tournament of the year with a win at the Texas Open. Rickie Fowler will need exactly that, as he has fallen outside the top 50 in the world (currently at No. 94), so he’ll need to win this week at TPC San Antonio’s Oak course to avoid missing the Masters for the first time in the past 10 years. Fowler has played in 41 consecutive majors, so it will be odd to not see the 32-year-old teeing it up next week at Augusta National, where has three top-10 finishes, including his runner-up to Patrick Reed in 2018.
The Murrieta, Calif., native has one appearance in the Valero Texas Open—finishing T-17 in 2019. Will he book that last-minute trip to Augusta? Oddsmakers aren’t too keen on his chances—William Hill has him at 66-1 odds. Fowler fans could make a nice penny if their man comes through this weekend, but he’s seeking his first top-10 finish since the 2020 American Express, more than 430 days ago.
Here are the complete odds for everybody in the field at the 2021 Valero Texas Open (courtesy of William Hill):
Dustin Johnson: 7-1 (bet $10, win $65)
Rafa Cabrera Bello: 150-1
Padraig Harrington: 200-1
Kiradech Aphibarnrat: 250-1
Kristoffer Ventura: 250-1
Sebastian Cappelen: 400-1