The Power Fade: Valero Texas Open
The Approach for Key fades at the 2025 Valero Texas Open
What’s going on TJ Nation! Ann Arbor's Own Good Ol' AK Allen Klutts here bringing you another edition of the Power Fade: The Fades 8K and Above You Need to Smash Your DraftKings GPP's!
With Min Woo Lee finally getting across the finish line with his first PGA TOUR win (Shoutout AK's 6 Pack for the 35/1 Outright hit), The PGA TOUR makes it's yearly stop in San Antonio for the Valero Texas Open.
TPC San Antonio, a Par 72 tipping out at 7,438 yards plays host this week. A course that doesn't feature much elevation, TPC San Antonio boasts wide fairways where you need to make your birdies, and tight tree lined holes where you hold on for par.
When it comes to key stat profiles, iron play and ball striking will be king at TPC San Antonio. If a player can get hot with his irons, the green complex offers the ability to roll in putts from anywhere.
Low scoring should be the name of the game this week, as past winners have hit between -16 and -20. Should those south Texas winds not kick up, it should once again be another year where you need to be going deep under par.
With another MC for the PF last week (Thank You JJ Spaun) making it six straight cut events with an missed cut, let us take a look at who we will feature in the Power Fade this week. Yee Hah... LET'S GO!!
Ludvig Aberg ($10,800)
Our first Power Fade of the week is our highest priced player of the week. While he is unquestionably the most talented player in the field, Ludvig Aberg is our first Power Fade of the week at $10,800 on DraftKings.
Why The Fade Works:
When it comes to the stats, Ludvig hasn't wowed anyone and the rankings reflect that. Surprisingly, Aberg ranks 70th in SG Approach which is shocking considering how talented he is with his irons.
When you break down the approach stats even further, Aberg isn't ranking any better. From the key range of 175-200, Aberg ranks 77th.Â
Considering that besides the win at Genesis when Ludvig spiked with his irons he hasn't produced much success, we can move down the board with this soft pricing and even stack two high end players.
Par 4 scoring will be key at TPC San Antonio, and Ludvig hasn't been stellar in this category either. Ranking 93rd in Par 4 scoring is concerning, and if the non-Genesis Aberg shows up in Texas, he could be in big trouble.
Big numbers lurk around TPC San Antonio, and Ludvig hasn't been avoiding the big numbers. When it comes to bogey avoidance, Ludvig ranks a putrid 116th. Scrambling hasn't been a friend to the Ice Man either as he ranks 132nd.
Simply put, Ludvig may be a great play next week at Augusta with lesser ownership, but this week we can pivot down the board to Tommy Fleetwood or Patrick Cantlay.
Sam Stevens ($8,000)
Our second Power Fade of the week is a first timer to the PF, but someone who should garner some ownership this week. Sam Stevens makes his PF debut this week at $8,000 on DraftKings.
Why The Fade Works:
When it comes to the stats, Stevens has some issues that this week makes him a less than ideal play.
Strokes Gained Approach has not been a friend to Stevens as he ranks 119th in that key metric. Furthermore, Stevens hasn't been stellar with the key stat of Birdie Average where he ranks 120th.Â
Lastly, Stevens has struggled with Par 4 scoring and scrambling. Par 4 scoring shows Stevens ranking 86th while scrambling ranks 107th.Â
That's it folks for this week's edition of the Power Fade! We will return to you next week we head down Magnolia Lane to Augusta National and the Masters.Â
Follow me on X @AllenKlutts and on Instagram @Allen_Klutts906
Until Next Time.... Be Bold, Be Brave, and Let's Ride the Power Fade!
"Simply put, Ludvig may be a great play next week at Augusta with lesser ownership, but this week we can pivot down the board to Tommy Fleetwood or Patrick Cantlay."
— AK
Meet the Author:
Allen Klutts
A long time Tour Junkies fan and Nut Hut Member, Allen has always been an enthusiastic PGA DFS player and is looking to bring that passion to his writing. A frequent participant on the Wednesday Night Live Stage Chat, who DB once compared to Norm from the TV show "Cheers" for always kicking off the live stage segment, Allen lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan with his wife and two year old son.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and commentary in this post belong to its author and do not necessarily represent the Tour Junkies as a whole.