The TOUR heads to San Antonio, Texas, for the Valero Texas Open at a new course. 

In 1951, the Texas Open was played over two courses.

Steve Hanlon, head instructor at TPC San Antonio, analyzes this week’s course.

This week the PGA TOUR heads west to TPC San Antonio, my home course and the new venue for the Valero Texas Open. This is one of the oldest events on TOUR, dating back to 1922 when it was simply called the Texas Open. In 2002, the Valero Energy Corporation took over the naming rights to this event and has helped make it what it is today. Since the inception of this storied event, which includes past champions like Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Arnold Palmer (who won this event 3 years in a row), they have always played in the great city of San Antonio. With a few last minute big name additions (Ernie Els and Vijay Singh) to the field, this year’s Valero Texas Open is shaping up to be a great one.

The AT&T Oaks Course opened its doors in February of this year and is sure to be a great test for the best players in the world. This Greg Norman design features a layout of over 7,400 yards, tree-lined fairways, enormous bunkers and big rolling greens that will certainly be a challenge. The course is in fantastic condition and features four different types of grasses adding to the ultimate playability and depth.

With the shortest par 5 playing 567 yards and the par 3s in excess of 200 yards, players will be challenged this week with some lengthy holes. In fact, if they decide to set the course up at its fullest potential and allow it to show its teeth, players could be in for a real treat. And we all know if those Texas winds are a blowing, then it could get really fun.

My first key for this week’s players—drive it straight. Obviously that’s important every week, but once you see this course on television you will get a feel for what I mean. With lined fairways with massive bunkers, tall native grasses and limestone walls, driving accuracy is a must. In addition to straight drives, I also feel hitting the green in regulation is a real key this week. With this golf course there are a lot of run offs and unique chipping areas that can present problems should you miss the green on the wrong side. Look for this week’s winner to not be the longest in the field but to be among the leaders in fairways hit and greens in regulation.

By PGATOUR.COM