STAR GOLF PREVIEW: Valero Texas Open with BLUE HORSESHOE

It’s so close, I can almost hear the opening piano chords as we cross to Augusta for the start of The Masters for 2026, writes BLUE HORSESHOE.

In this time of geopolitical tumult and chaos, it’ll be nice to be distracted by the soothing sight of the greens and fairways of Augusta National.

The PGA Tour golfers not already invited to tee it up at The Masters have one more chance to drive down Magnolia Lane via winning the Valspar Texas Open this week. Let’s see who we can land at a price to fill up those coffers for the first (and some would say best) major of the year.

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Blue Horseshoe Loves:

Austin Eckroat – currently at ? with starsports.bet

I flagged up Eckroat last week at the Houston Open at any old money and he played well, hanging around near the top of the leaderboard for much of the tourney, but he had a poor final round and fell out of the places. I expect he’ll do better this week at an easier course and with many of the big dogs taking it easy at home this week. He’s still outstanding value in my book. Austin Eckroat for mine each way all day.

Lee Hodges – currently at ? with starsports.bet

Hodges has one PGA Tour win, and he has the game to land more, but his consistency lets him down and he’ll nearly always throw in a dodgy round. His form has been trading well of late though and with this weaker field and a gentle TPC set up that he should appreciate, I think Lee is a great each way shout at triple figures to win and is a realistic chance of heading straight over to Augusta on Monday.

Kevin Roy – currently at ? with starsports.bet

I really like this cut of this young man’s jib. Kevin Roy is a name to look out for throughout 2026. His game looks rock solid, and he has become a consistent presence at the sharp end of the tournaments this year. I certainly wouldn’t put it past Roy to snatch a win out from under the noses of some of the old stagers this week at what I think is huge value.

Mac Meissner – currently at ? with starsports.bet

This one is a bit more of a speculator, but Mac Meissner is another young player who has made massive strides on the PGA Tour this year. Meissner had a decent turnout last week, finishing inside the top thirty at Houston. I think this kid has game and if he gets away well, he’ll be there at the business end on Sunday, and he certainly won’t die wondering in his quest to get to Augusta.

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Austin Eckroat 0.5pt each/way at 125/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Lee Hodges 0.5pt each/way at 100/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Kevin Roy 0.5pt each/way at 150/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Mac Meissner 0.5pt each/way at 60/1 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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(MAR 2026): PROFIT/LOSS: -32.89 points

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