The 2022 Valero Texas Open field includes many of the world’s top players, such as the returning Rory McIlroy, but Cheltenham’s Paul Casey will not play at TPC San Antonio.
Casey conceded his opening round of last week’s WGC Match Play after just two holes, suffering from back spasms, and missed his second and third group stage fixtures altogether.
Thankfully for the 44-year-old, his place in next week’s Masters is guaranteed, but his involvement at Augusta National is now in serious doubt.
Though, should he recover in time, he could well be England’s best chance of winning the green jacket, having achieved five top ten finishes in previous years.
Elsewhere, Rory McIlory, who didn’t take part in the Match Play, returns this week in a bid to hit form ahead of The Masters.
It’s the only major that the Northern Irishman is yet to win, but not for the want of trying.
McIlroy led the field in 2015 before collapsing to fourth place on the back nine on Sunday, the biggest disappointment of his stellar career to date.
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Arguably golf’s most talented active player, the Nike endorsed athlete needs to add a green jacket to his collection to go down as the all-time great he has always looked destined to become.
McIlroy is favourite to win the Texas Open, 8/1 on Bet 365, where he tees off at 14:14 BST.
Two-time Masters champion Jordan Spieth is second favourite (16/1), while Hideki Matsuyama (18/1), Corey Conners (18/1) and Bryson DeChambeau (25/1) round up the top five.
