Zach Thompson identified Jordan Spieth as a high-ceiling, contrarian GPP option for DFS lineups at Valero Texas Open. Spieth offers significant leverage with the fourth highest SimLeverage score and ownership projected below 10%. Though Spieth's season has been volatile following wrist surgery, he's remained remarkably consistent at TPC San Antonio, posting a perfect 6-for-6 cuts made record including a 2021 win and solo second-place finish in 2015, alongside four total top-10 finishes. Recent form shows encouraging consistency with two top-10 finishes (T4 at WM Phoenix Open, T9 at Cognizant Classic) in six tournaments since surgery. Spieth's strokes-gained metrics also suggest stability, with rankings inside the top 20 in the field for both Total Strokes Gained and Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee over his past 20 rounds. Zach firmly believes Spieth's low ownership relative to ceiling makes him an ideal DFS GPP target.

Zach Thompson advised DFS players to confidently pay up for Ludvig Aberg this week at the Valero Texas Open due to his highly favorable leverage situation. Aberg currently leads the field in SimLeverage, which indicates he has the highest chance of landing in the optimal lineup according to thousands of simulations from FantasyLabs. Despite possessing the top Perfect% (optimal lineup probability), his ownership projection remains moderate. Adding validation, Zach pointed out that Aberg leads the event in Pro Trends matched, has the best Vegas odds to win, and also has the highest median and ceiling projections. Aberg has delivered promising early-season results including victory at the Genesis Invitational, T5 at The Sentry, and T22 at Bay Hill. Additionally, he improved significantly in his second appearance at TPC San Antonio, climbing to T14 after missing the cut in his debut, reinforcing that he's well-equipped to perform strongly again.

Zach Thompson pegged Davis Thompson ($9,400) as an excellent leverage play in DFS tournaments based on his driving ability, critical at the Memorial Golf Club course in Houston. Thompson ranks in the top 10 in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee and top 20 Tee-to-Green over his last 30 rounds. Although he's made six cuts in nine starts this season, he's turned in only two top-25s highlighted by a T10 finish at THE PLAYERS. Previous missed cuts at Cognizant and Arnold Palmer Invitational were largely attributable to putting woes, but he showed recent improvement at TPC Sawgrass. Thompson has already shown improvement at this course, finishing T21 last year after a T43 the year prior. His low-ownership projection due to inconsistent recent results makes him a compelling high-upside DFS choice.

Zach Thompson highlighted Scottie Scheffler as a strong DraftKings DFS option despite being the highest-priced golfer at $12,700. Scheffler carries the highest ceiling, median, and floor projections in the field, driven by ranking 2nd in Strokes Gained: Tee-To-Green and Total Strokes Gained, and 3rd in SG: Approach. Although he hasn't secured a win this season, Scheffler has been consistent with top-25 finishes in all five events played. His recent history at Memorial Golf Club in Houston is particularly strong, finishing inside the top 10 in three consecutive visits, including two runner-up outcomes in 2021 and last year in 2023. Given his reasonable ownership projection relative to his massive upside (highest Perfect% in field and second-highest SimLeverage), Scheffler provides elite-level potential for GPP DFS lineups this week.

Alex Hunter pinpointed Steven Fisk as a high-upside budget DFS pick ($6,700 on DraftKings), ideal for players needing salary relief. Fisk, though debuting at this event, has been in strong recent form—finishing top-30 in three of his last four tournaments, notably securing a T4 at the Puerto Rico Open. Hunter emphasized Fisk's outstanding driving skill (ranked 18th in SG: Off-the-Tee), critical at Memorial Park—a long course where strong drivers traditionally perform well. As a result, Hunter argues Fisk has favorable prospects for at least advancing through the cut.

Alex Hunter labeled Lee Hodges ($7,300 DraftKings price) as dramatically underpriced for DFS contests, backing this stance with detailed statistical support. Hodges has made nine of his last ten cuts and also placed T16 or better in five of these, showing sustained good form. Hunter noted Hodges has consistently gained strokes with irons and a hot putter—currently ranked 3rd in Strokes Gained Putting this season. Although Hodges has just one made cut in two starts at Memorial Park, his overall strong form and bargain DFS positioning make him a compelling must-start this week.

Alex Hunter spotlighted Davis Riley as a great DFS value at $7,600 on DraftKings this week, emphasizing Riley's recent consistency, including a strong T6 finish at the Valspar Championship and a streak of four straight made cuts. Hunter pointed out Riley's iron game has been exceptional, gaining strokes on approach in all events during the current streak, and also highlighted Riley's consistently strong course history at Memorial Park (including a career-best T14 last year, never finishing worse than T29 in three appearances). Hunter believes Riley is primed for back-to-back top finishes.

Alex Hunter recommended Jacob Bridgeman ($8,400 DraftKings price) in DFS lineups this week based on his strong results and skill set. Bridgeman finished T3rd last week at the challenging Valspar Championship, just two strokes behind Viktor Hovland, and boasts finishes of second place, T15, and T3 over his past month, signaling top-notch form. Hunter also noted Bridgeman is ranked 14th in Total Strokes Gained and 24th in par-5 performance this season—particularly important because the previous four winners at Memorial Park all finished top-10 in par-5 efficiency. Bridgeman placed a respectable T21 at Memorial Park in his debut last year and, significantly improved in world ranking (up 130 spots to No. 70), Hunter expects him to top that result comfortably this year.

Alex Hunter confidently suggested Si Woo Kim as a strong DFS option at $8,900 given Kim's progression to being an elite driver (ranked 35th in SG: Off-the-Tee this season). Hunter pointed out Kim's solid recent form with five consecutive cuts- made, four inside the top-25, and a history of consistent finishes at the Houston Open (T35 and T17 in recent starts). Hunter also elaborated that elite driving accuracy and distance provide a noticeable advantage at Memorial Park, where two of the past three champions ranked within the top-15 in SG: Off-the-Tee during victory weeks.

Alex Hunter strongly backed Tony Finau as a must-select cash DFS play at $9,200 on DraftKings, noting Finau has never been priced lower at Memorial Park. While Finau recently missed the cut at THE PLAYERS Championship, Hunter highlighted Finau's exceptional long-term course history, including a definitive four-stroke victory in 2022 and a playoff finish (runner-up) the previous season. Finau notably tied the course record with an 8-under, 62 in each of his last two starts at the course— his PGA Tour career-best round. Finau also ranks first in Strokes Gained per round among golfers in this field who have multiple starts at Memorial Park.

Alex Hunter advocated strongly for Aaron Rai as a cash game DFS play priced at $9,800 on DraftKings. Rai has demonstrated remarkable consistency at Memorial Park, with past finishes of T19, T7, and another T7, giving him the best average placing (11th) among golfers with more than one start at this course. Additionally, Rai is entering the event with strong recent form, having recorded finishes of T4, T11, and T14 in his last three tournaments, further underscoring his value at this price.

Alex Hunter praised Scottie Scheffler as an ideal cash game selection despite the high price ($12,700 on DraftKings), supported by strong reasoning. Scheffler is the unanimous betting favorite at +350 odds due to his exceptional history at Memorial Park, including runner-up finishes twice in his last three visits and a course-record-tying 62 in 2021. Hunter emphasized Scheffler's outstanding recent ball striking, claiming he is just one good putting performance away from winning. Scheffler’s familiarity with Memorial Park's greens significantly improves his odds of a solid putting showing and a contending finish.

Alex Hunter highlights Joe Highsmith as a potential DFS sleeper with immense upside due to significant growth since last season. Despite missing the cut at Copperhead previously, Highsmith returns ranked 110 spots higher globally, with recent highlights including a win at the challenging PGA National course and a T20 finish at THE PLAYERS Championship where he gained strokes across every major category. Given his demonstrated strength in tough Florida conditions, Hunter anticipates a potential top-20 result for Highsmith this weekend at a DFS-friendly price ($7,300).

Alex Hunter sees Keith Mitchell as an excellent value pick at $7,800, anticipating a bounce-back performance following a missed cut at THE PLAYERS Championship. Mitchell had previously made five straight cuts, including three top-30 finishes, and consistently performs well at Copperhead, never missing the cut here in three career appearances. Notably, Mitchell secured strong finishes of T11 in 2017 and T17 last year, the latter featuring a blistering third-round 66. Given his previous pricing of $9,100 at Cognizant Classic, Hunter believes Mitchell provides substantial DFS value this week.

Alex Hunter projects a strong DFS showing from first-time Valspar participant Jake Knapp, based on his ideal skillset and recent success on comparable Florida venues. Knapp finished T5 at Cognizant Classic and T12 at THE PLAYERS Championship recently, making seven consecutive cuts overall. He ranks first among the field this season in par-5 scoring and 21st in proximity on approach shots from over 200 yards—a critical skill at Copperhead, which sees 24% of approach shots over this distance historically. Hunter confidently expects Knapp to extend his current four-event top-25 streak into a solid Valspar debut performance.

Alex Hunter praises Taylor Moore's excellent Copperhead Course history, highlighted by his 2023 Valspar championship win and T12 finish the year after. Moore has made six consecutive cuts this season, including three top-25 finishes along that streak. Hunter also emphasizes Moore's strong par-5 scoring (5th in par-5 performance this season), noting that three of the past five winners at Copperhead led or finished second in par-5 efficiency. Given these favorable trends, Hunter expects Moore to once again contend strongly this week at a reasonable $8,600 DraftKings price.

Alex Hunter identifies Shane Lowry as one of the safest DFS plays on the slate, citing the Irishman's impressive consistency in difficult conditions. During the ongoing Florida swing, Lowry recorded finishes of T11, T7, and T20 while ranking inside the top-15 in Strokes Gained: Approach each tournament. Hunter further illustrates Lowry's stability by noting he's finished in the Top 20 in ten of his past twelve worldwide starts. At the Copperhead Course specifically, Lowry delivered a respectable T12 in his last appearance, making a similar strong finish likely this week.

Alex Hunter describes Corey Conners as a must-play in cash games due to his outstanding recent form during the Florida swing. Conners finished T3rd at Arnold Palmer Invitational and T6th at THE PLAYERS Championship, gaining strokes in all four major categories each event and shooting under par in all eight rounds played. Hunter points out the similar demands on ball striking at Copperhead Course, aligning nicely with Conners' strengths. Conners' only prior start at Valspar resulted in a solid T21 finish, and he currently ranks 11 spots higher in world golf rankings compared to that time, supporting Hunter's belief in Conners strongly contending for another top-10 finish this week.

Alex Hunter highlighted Tommy Fleetwood as the top overall DFS play for the Valspar Championship, pointing to his outstanding course history at the Copperhead Course. Fleetwood finished T16th and T3rd in his two starts at Copperhead, shooting under par in seven of eight rounds played there. Hunter notes Fleetwood ranks first in Strokes Gained per round at Copperhead among players who have competed there more than once. Additionally, Fleetwood's current form is excellent, ranking second in Strokes Gained: Approach this season—a key metric Hunter emphasizes, as three of the past five Copperhead winners ranked top-seven in SG: Approach during their victory. Fleetwood also offers good DFS value as he's only the third-most expensive golfer priced at $10,300 on DraftKings, making him ideal for cash games and single-entry contests.