We’re only one week away from the 2026 Masters Tournament, but the PGA Tour still has one more stop before the first major championship of the year. Let’s check out the juiciest storylines for the Masters tune-up at the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio.
Collin Morikawa returns after Player Championship WD
This is a big week for Collin Morikawa. The last time we saw the No. 8 player in the world, he was grabbing his back after a practice swing and withdrawing from the Players Championship after playing just one hole at TPC Sawgrass. Morikawa is in the field for the Valero Texas Open, so his back injury must not be a long-term concern.
If Morikawa is back to full health, it’s not hyperbole to say he’s a top-three favorite to win the green jacket next week. The 29-year-old won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, finished T7 at the Genesis Invitational and notched a solo fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational before pulling out of the Players Championship. He also has four straight top-15 finishes at Augusta National.
A strong, healthy week in San Antonio will put Morikawa back on top of the Masters contender tier.
Ludvig Aberg looks to shake off Sunday meltdown
Ludvig Aberg also had a disappointing week at TPC Sawgrass — just in a much different way. The talented Swede was three strokes ahead of the field heading to the back nine on Sunday. But after 63 holes of great golf, he shot a 4-over 40 coming home and allowed Cameron Young to rip the Players Championship trophy from his grasp.
Performing after a Sunday meltdown is never easy, so it will be fascinating to see where Aberg’s mental and physical game is after enduring that heartbreak. Playing in a professional event a week before the Masters is exactly what he needs to shake off the disappointment and reset his focus.
Last chance for Rickie Fowler, others to crack Masters field