Most of the golfing world is focused on next week’s Masters but there is one last place available in the field for the first Major of the year and it will be fought out at the Texas Open.

The winner, if he has not already qualified, will gain a place in the Augusta extravaganza, which should be a big motivation for those taking on the challenge at TPC San Antonio.

With many of the big names concentrating on their Green Jacket quest, England’s Tyrrell Hatton leads the field at 12/1, with Rickie Fowler at 18/1 and Si Woo Kim available at 20/1.

Elsewhere, the third event of the LIV Golf season is also taking place and Dustin Johnson is the 11/1 favourite for the showdown on the Crooked Cat course at the Orange County National in Orlando, Florida.

Danny Lee won the last event at Tucson and is 45/1 to repeat, while Charles Howell, who was fifth there and won the season opener at Mayakoba, is 18/1.

Valero Texas Open golf betting tips

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

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Fowler can take final opportunity

Hatton is already at Augusta and it is difficult to be confident in the favourite after his poor showing at last week’s WGC World Match Play, so this looks like an opportunity for Fowler to rise to the occasion.

The former Players champion’s ranking of 59th was not enough to earn him a Masters berth, but it seems only a matter of time before he is back in the winner’s enclosure after rediscovering his form under former coach Butch Harmon.

He received the boost of beating Jon Rahm at the Match Play and his form at his previous five tournaments is an impressive 11-10-20-31-13.

Tip: Outright winner – Rickie Fowler @ 18/1 with bet365

Kim should be completely at home

The South Korean triumphed on a similar layout at the Sony Open in Hawaii in January and Kim could be in good shape physically as he lost his group showdown against Matt Kuchar at the Match Play – and that saved him from a potentially gruelling weekend of action.

His Texas Open form figures are strong – 22-45-4-23-13 – so it seems reasonable to expect another bold bid.

Tip: Outright winner – Si Woo Kim @ 20/1 with bet365

Schenk could go one better

Adam Schenk was unlucky not to claim his first PGA Tour title at the Valspar Championship a fortnight ago when his final drive was stuck behind a tree, and this could be his opportunity to finally get over the line.

That was the 10th week in a row that the 31-year-old had been in action, so a week’s rest should leave him rejuvenated for the challenge at a course where he finished ninth in 2019.

Tip: Outright winner – Adam Schenk @ 60/1 with bet365

LIV Golf Orlando betting tips

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

Time for DJ to get in the groove

It takes plenty of length to tame the Crooked Cat and that should be great news for last season’s individual champion Dustin Johnson.

The 2020 Masters victor has had problems closing tournaments this season, ending with a 78 at Mayakoba and 77 at Tucson, but this looks an ideal test for him to get back on track – and he can prove a worthy favourite.

Tip: Outright winner – Dustin Johnson @ 11/1 with bet365

Wolff should be in the hunt

Matthew Wolff is one big hitter who could have a huge week and a first LIV victory may not be far away.

His 10th at Mayakoba and 12th at Tucson were solid performances and he demonstrated he can compete in these fields with a second spot at Bedminster and a fifth in the final individual event of 2022 in Jeddah, so expect another bold show.

Tip: Outright winner – Matthew Wolff @ 22/1 with bet365

Oosthuizen’s quality could shine

The wind is expected to pick up this week and that should not worry South African Louis Oosthuizen, who is a strong links player.

He fell in a Masters playoff to Bubba Watson in 2012 and he could head down Magnolia Way with a spring in his step if he can build on the fourth place that he secured at Tucson.

Tip: Outright winner – Louis Oosthuizen @ 25/1 with bet365

Odds correct at time of publishing and subject to change.