The 2026 Valero Texas Open commenced Thursday morning at TPC San Antonio, marking the final opportunity for PGA Tour professionals to fine-tune their games before next week's Masters Tournament. Despite Gary Woodland's withdrawal following his victory at last week's Texas Children's Houston Open, the field remains robust with ten players ranked inside the world's top 30.
Tommy Fleetwood, Sepp Straka, Hideki Matsuyama, and rising star Ludvig Åberg enter as early betting favorites to claim the title. The quartet brings significant firepower to the 156-player field competing for the $9.2 million purse.
Defending champion Brian Harman returns to defend his crown, while former winners Jordan Spieth and Charley Hoffman also tee it up seeking another victory at the familiar Texas venue. J.J. Spaun, who captured his breakthrough Tour victory here in 2022 before claiming last year's U.S. Open, hopes a return to San Antonio can spark his struggling 2026 campaign.
Weather conditions presented early challenges Thursday, with players encountering changing elements throughout their rounds. "So we went from very gusty and crispy on the first kind of 10, 11 holes and then we got a good amount of rain, greens softened up, had a little bit -- probably two or three holes of perfect scoring conditions where you're almost overplaying the wind because you know it's supposed to be from the west," said Maverick McNealy, describing the evolving conditions.
The par-72 TPC San Antonio layout stretched 7,435 yards for the opening round, with players navigating mostly cloudy skies and temperatures reaching 88 degrees. AccuWeather forecasted southeast winds at 10-15 mph, with a 55% chance of precipitation and 33% probability of thunderstorms.
Bud Cauley found success attacking the course's scoring opportunities despite challenging conditions. "Yeah, I think apart from 11, I hit good tee shots, and yeah, was able to get myself up there close and get up-and-down. I two-putted 16. But made a great birdie on 11. Hit it in the trees Had to lay up, and hit a 5-iron to two feet," Cauley explained, highlighting his aggressive approach to the par-5s.
The tournament's timing adds significance beyond prize money, as players seek confidence-building performances before Augusta National's hallowed grounds. Woodland's decision to withdraw and focus on Masters preparation underscores the strategic importance many place on next week's major championship.
Amateur standouts Luke Clanton and Neal Shipley received sponsor exemptions, providing additional storylines as they compete against seasoned professionals. The field also features international flavor with players from multiple continents seeking their breakthrough moments.
Austin Smotherman entered Thursday with personal matters potentially affecting his tournament plans. "Yeah, yeah. The plan is to stay. Wild," Smotherman said when asked about his commitment to remaining for all four rounds, hinting at possible family developments.
First-round television coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, while PGA Tour Live provides featured group coverage starting at 8:30 a.m. on the ESPN app. Morning wave players teed off under overcast conditions, with afternoon starters facing the possibility of weather delays.
The tournament's $1.656 million winner's check and 500 FedEx Cup points provide substantial incentive, particularly for players seeking to solidify their standing before the season's first major. With limited spots available for next week's Masters field, fringe contenders face added pressure to perform.
TPC San Antonio's Oaks Course demands precision off the tee and around the greens, with strategically placed water hazards and undulating putting surfaces testing every aspect of players' games. The venue has produced dramatic finishes in recent years, setting the stage for another compelling weekend.
As rounds progress throughout Thursday, weather monitoring will be crucial given the afternoon thunderstorm potential. Course conditions could vary significantly between morning and afternoon waves, potentially creating advantages for certain tee time groupings.
The leaderboard will take shape as players navigate the demanding layout, with early momentum crucial for positioning ahead of the weekend rounds. With Augusta National looming, every shot carries amplified importance in this final major championship preparation opportunity.