Valero Texas Open: 2013 winner has key GIR stat on his side

The Valero Texas Open has delivered four consecutive winners from outside the higher echelons of the betting and it is one of those men who looks in great shape for another tilt, two years on.

Martin Laird carded a course-record equalling 63 in his final round to scoop the title back in 2013, finishing two clear of Rory McIlroy on 14-under-par for the tournament; his second top 10 at the PGA Tour regular.

Considering the TPC San Antonio always plays as one of the toughest par 72s outside of a major – fourth on the PGA Tour last year – any player to have broken par in four consecutive rounds deserves respect from a punting point of view.

This 7,435-yard monster is a layout which chews up for fun those who are slightly off their game, ranking as the hardest host outright in GIR last season.

Step forward Laird at 40/1. The Scot not only has previous excellent form in Texas, but vitally he’s eighth in the PGA Tour rankings for GIR, en-route to three top-15s in his past five starts.

Throw into the mix that Laird places eighth in ball striking and fourth in bogey avoidance, and the 5/1 about Laird topping the European player charts at least, looks peachy.

Of the host of big-name American’s hogging the front end of the market, Dustin Johnson looks well-qualified to go close at 10/1, with a win and two other top fives to his name since returning to competition.

Also on the charge is Kevin Na at far more exciting odds of 33/1. The US golfer arrives off three top-10 finishes and shared 11th at the Valero a year ago; he’s 11/4 for another top 10.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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