Hello, golf world.

It’s been awhile since we’ve talked, but fear not, Dallas Sports Fanatic golf content is back.

With the Masters on the not-so-distant horizon and some of our local Dallas golfers playing some good golf there is no better time to jump into the deep end.  This week, we make our second stop right here in our beloved Lone Star State as the tournament makes its stop at TPC San Antonio for the Valero Texas Open.

So why should we look for this week?

Jordan. Spieth.  

If we’ve learned anything from the early part of the year it’s that Jordan Spieth is back to playing golf at a level that makes his fans extremely giddy with anticipation.  Since missing the cut at Torrey Pines, he’s got three top fives, a top twenty and an impressive showing at the WGC in Austin last week.  That’s a night and day difference from how he has been preforming since winning The Open in 2017.  In 2020 alone he only managed two top tens the entire year.  Not the Jordan Spieth we fell in love with in 2015.  However, it’s not the recent high finishes that give us the most hope.  It’s the way he’s playing the game.  His demeanor, his conversations with Greller and that overall intangible, hard to explain swagger that he carries with him.  He’s the favorite this week at +1300 and it’s more than just name recognition that put him there.  He’s down at 53 in the Official World Golf Rankings which is a drastic improvement from the 82 he sat at when the 2020 season wrapped.

Golf is better when Jordan Spieth is hanging around the top of leaderboards on Sunday and I expect to see him there this weekend.

Scottie Scheffler finding form.

Another Dallas golfer to keep your eye on this week is last week’s runner up – Scottie Scheffler.  He was the 2020 PGA Rookie of the Year and already has three top tens in 2021.  Just like Jordan, he’s a University of Texas alum and shows all promise of the next young guy too break through and win an event.

He’s right near the top of the odds list at +1600.

Sleeper?  Yeah, we’ve got a sleeper.

If I told you Ryan Palmer was in the Top 3o ranked golfers in the world would you believe me?

Well, he is.

Palmer is another one of our Dallas locals to pull for this weekend.  Specifically, Colleyville.  He’s managed to slip inside the Top 30 despite having only three wins and none since 2010.  2010!  That’s some Tony Finau level winless consistency.  He’s missed back-to-back cuts but was riding a top ten streak before that.  Golf is a game that comes in waves and if you’re looking for a long shot pick this weekend there is no better guy than Ryan Palmer.

He’s +2200.

Fun fact, I caddied in a US Open Qualifier a few years ago and Palmer was there.  Guy can stripe it.  Fun fact over.

Local Guy.

Who’s Abraham Ancer?  Well, the 31st ranked player in the world, that’s all.

McAllen, Texas native who now lives in San Antonio.  He’s the owner of an unassuming driving range, never been coached a day in his life and co-owns a tequila company.  This guy flat out rocks.  And on top of all that he knows how to play some damn good golf.  He joined Dustin Johnson in the final pairing of the 2020 Masters and a deep sleeper for this weeks event.  He’s one of those “feel” guys that could get hot at any moment, a guy you want to root for as his long black hair flows out of the back of his hat.

So, as we approach a week in San Antonio, remember to hit them straight, shake off the bad shots and just enjoy your time on the course.

Finally, I’ll be live at the event this week so if you find yourself in San Antonio shoot me a DM on Instagram – @loch.jpg

Cheers!