?VALSPAR25: Golf Preview Podcast – Detailed Transcript-Based Summary

Host: Will Doctor

Timestamp: [0:15 – 0:28]
Will Doctor welcomes listeners to the Golf Preview Podcast on the Pregame Network, setting an energetic tone as he prepares to break down picks for the Valero Texas Open.

 Recap: Texas Children’s Houston Open

Timestamp: [0:49 – 43:35]

 Betting Recap and Market Overview

• Losses: Will went down 5.5 units, bringing the season total to -53.8 units.

• Winner: Minwoo Lee captured his first PGA Tour title, winning by one stroke over Scottie Scheffler and Gary Woodland.

• Opening Odds: 40-1

• Performance Highlights:

  • Driving Distance: 5th in the field (317+ yards).

  • Fairways Hit: Just 22 of 52, yet he won due to elite short game.

  • Putting: 2nd in the field.

  • Approach & Around the Green: 15th in both.

? Quote Analysis:

“It was a master class effort for Min on and around the greens. That is what won him the golf tournament last week.”

Will emphasizes Minwoo’s victory came despite erratic driving, showcasing how elite putting and short game can overcome inaccuracy off the tee.

 Notable Performances & Player Analysis

Alejandro Tosti

• Solo 2nd after Saturday, finished T-5 with McIlroy, Clark, and Pendrith.

• Driving Distance: 4th (317 yards).

• Final Round: 68, with 3 birdies in the last 6 holes.

• Quote Analysis:

“Tosti… hits it a mile… an entertaining product when his game is together.”

Tosti’s resurgence is highlighted, from Q-School to two top-10s in 2025.

 Sami Valimaki

• Finish: Solo 4th at -17

• Quote Analysis: A consistent finisher with power off the tee.

 Gary Woodland

• Scorecards: 69-64-66-62

• Result: T-2, best since brain surgery in Sept 2023

• Putting & Irons: Exceptional—11th career runner-up

“Gary Woodland’s performance was inspiring...borderline in tears.”

 Scottie Scheffler

• Start: 67-62 (bogey-free)

• Final Round: 63, birdies on 13-16

• Quote:

“Scheffler is just warming up… picked up over a shot and a half on the greens.”

Despite a nap with the putter in Round 3, Scheffler had his best putting week in 2025.

 Bets and Card Recap

 Misses:

Davis Thompson

• Finishing Position: T-27 at -9

• Notable Rounds: R3 64 but bogeyed 16 & 17

• Putting Misses: Multiple from 3–12 feet on Sunday

“A putting performance... where he just absolutely threw up all over himself.”

Mac Meissner

• Finished: T-39

• Driving Distance: Only 295 yards; 67th in SG Off the Tee

“The wetness... too much to handle for Meissner.”

 Hits:

• Minwoo Lee Top 20 (+160) – Cashed

• Meissner over Justin Lauer – Cashed

• Best Bet Previewed: Isaiah Salinda Top 20 (+300) – Set for Valero

Tony Finau – Breakdown of Missed Top 20

• Finish: T-32

• Iron Play: Lost 1 full stroke

• Putting: Negative

• Key Moment: 4-putt on hole 15 in Round 3

“Unacceptable stuff... mental snooze on 15 Saturday.”

 Valero Texas Open Preview (TPC San Antonio)

Timestamp: [43:35 – 48:47]

 Key Course Insights:

• Distance Matters: 19th longest on tour

• Driving Accuracy Crucial: Narrow fairways

• Short Game: Demands elite chipping and putting on firm Bermuda greens

 Odds Board & Player Picks Analysis

 Fades:

Ludwig Aberg (12-1)

“Cannot take 12-1... coming off two weeks of bad iron play.”

Tommy Fleetwood (14-1)

“Makes zero sense... Connors is 18-1, a two-time winner here.”

Patrick Cantlay (20-1)

“Garbage number... hasn’t played well in Texas.”

Hideki Matsuyama (20-1)

“In a funk... lost strokes in every key category.”

Keegan Bradley (25-1)

“Would want 42-1 pre-tournament.”

Jordan Spieth (25-1)

“Dropped to 25-1 from 40-1 after a non-impressive 28th.”

Picks to Place

• Corey Conners Top 10 (+175) – TPC San Antonio specialist

• Akshay Bhatia Top 20 (Even) – Defending champion, trending form

 Outright Picks

1. Denny McCarthy (30-1)

   • 5 Top 20s in 2025

   • 2nd here in 2023 (Sunday 62 to force playoff)

   • Elite putter, improving irons

   “One of the best players on tour without a win.”

2. Bud Cauley (55-1)

   • 4th at Valspar, 6th at Players

   • Back from injury

   “Too good to go career without winning.”

3. Isaiah Salinda (110-1)

   • Finished T-11 at Houston

   • Long & accurate off the tee

   “Feels like a future 10-time winner.”

Sleeper Pick

• Gary Woodland Top 10 (+400)

  “Woodland drove it like 2019 U.S. Open… now confident, healthy.”

 First Round Leader Bets

1. Bud Cauley (+450 Top 10 after R1) – 7:42 a.m. tee time

2. Isaiah Salinda (+650 Top 10 after R1) – 9:21 a.m. tee time

Lineups

 DraftKings (50K cap):

• Akshay Bhatia (9.3K)

• Denny McCarthy (9K)

• Bud Cauley (8.3K)

• Gary Woodland (7.8K)

• Isaiah Salinda (7.3K)

• Mac Meissner (7.1K)

 PGA Tour Fantasy:

Starters: Bhatia, McCarthy, Cauley, Salinda (Captain)
Bench: Woodland, Lee Hodges

 Scoring Prediction & Best Bet

• Winning Score: -16

• Best Bet: Isaiah Salinda Top 20 (+300)

 Final Note:
Will closes by urging listeners to follow him on X (@DRMedia59) and to tune in next week for Masters coverage.