What could be better than one final shot for an up-and-coming golfer to punch his ticket to golf's most legendary event?
For what the Valero Texas Open lacks in big-name firepower, it compensates as the PGA Tour's version of a Willy Wonka golden ticket. The tournament serves as the last opportunity for a golfer to earn an exception for the Masters, which starts April 11.
MORE: Watch the Valero Texas Open live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
As the final stop on the PGA Tour schedule before heading to Augusta for the first major of the year, most of the world's top-ranked golfers elect to take this week off to rest and prepare for the iconic springtime event. Despite the lack of abundance of recognizable names, Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth both plan to play.
Typically held in May, the tour changed up its schedule this season to make this the final pre-Masters tournament rather than the Houston Open. Play on TPC San Antonio, the 7,400-yard course is a Greg Norman design. The tournament is the third oldest on the PGA Tour, dating back to its first event in 1922.
Here is everything to know about the 2019 Valero Texas Open, including the TV schedule, tee times and odds. You can also follow our live leaderboard for hole-by-hole updates from the tournament.
Valero Texas Open TV schedule, live stream
The first two rounds will be broadcast exclusively on Golf Channel. NBC picks up national coverage Saturday and Sunday. You can also live stream the Valero Texas Open by signing up for fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day free trial.
| Thursday, April 4 | 4-7 p.m. ET | Golf Channel/fuboTV |
| Friday, April 5 | 4-7 p.m. ET | Golf Channel/fuboTV |
| Saturday, April 6 | 1-3:30 p.m. ET | Golf Channel/fuboTV |
| Saturday, April 6 | 3:30-6 p.m. ET | NBC/fuboTV |
| Sunday, April 7 | 1-2:30 p.m. ET | Golf Channel/fuboTV |
| Sunday, April 7 | 2:30-6 p.m. ET | NBC/fuboTV |
LIVE: Valero Texas Open Leaderboard
Who else is in the Valero Texas Open field?
Being the week before the first major of the year, most of the world's elite opted to take off this tournament. Just 17 of the tournament's 144 golfers are playing in Augusta next week, led by world No. 8 Rickie Fowler. Last year's third-place finisher at the Masters, Jordan Spieth, is looking for one final tuneup as well.
Tony Finau, who dislocated his ankle at the Masters last year and still went on to a strong finish, as well as last week's runner-up in the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play event, Matt Kuchar headline this week's tournament as well.
Valero Texas Open Round 4 tee times
Here are the Sunday tee times for the four top groups at the Valero Texas Open. You can find a full list of tee times is located here.
| Time | Group |
|---|---|
| 11 a.m. ET | Kyle Stanley, Roberto Diaz, Sung Kang |
| 11:10 a.m. ET | Sam Saunders, Kyle Jones, J.T. Poston |
| 11:20 a.m. ET | Ryan Armour, Robert Streb |
| 11:30 a.m. ET | Morgan Hoffmann, Martin Trainer |
Valero Texas Open purse, winnings
The total purse for this week's event is $7.5 million with the winner taking home $1.35 million. Even more valuable than the cash winnings, however, is the automatic qualification for next week's Master's. Last year Andrew Landry won $1.116 million for finishing first.
Valero Texas open past winners
| Year | Champion | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | TBD | -- |
| 2018 | Andrew Landry | -17 |
| 2017 | Kevin Chappell | -12 |
| 2016 | Charley Hoffman | -12 |
| 2015 | Jimmy Walker | -11 |
| 2014 | Steven Bowditch | -8 |
| 2013 | Martin Laird | -14 |
| 2012 | Ben Curtis | -9 |
| 2011 | Brendan Steele | -8 |
| 2010 | Adam Scott | -14 |
| 2009 | Zach Johnson | -15 |