PGA Tour: Adam Scott and Eight Others Who Can Win the Texas Open

The 2010 Valero Texas Open was probably the event that helped Adam Scott regain his confidence and become once more a dominant player. Scott did win the event, after all.

And coming off the week of the Master's with a T-2nd place finish, fans wonder if Scott can win once again at Texas.

With picks already being made, he seems to be at the top of many leaderboards, but here are some others that can beat him to a first place finish.

It's golf after all—anything can happen.

Ryan Palmer

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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 07: Ryan Palmer hits his tee shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 7, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

The 34-year-old from Texas should have a good time at Texas. If there's a home field advantage in golf, this is it.

Palmer is one of the many on this list that had a Top 10 finish at the Master's on this list, and again, the momentum should help him.

First of all, his chances of making the cut is huge, considering how he has made 80 percent of his cuts thus far.

Not to mention, he also finished ninth last year at the same event, which makes us wonder if this can be his first win of the year. 

Stewart Cink

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RIO GRANDE, PR - MARCH 12: Stewart Cink hits his drive on the 12th hole during the third round of the Puerto Rico Open presented by seepuertorico.com at Trump International Golf Club on March 12, 2011 in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. (Photo by Michael Cohen/

Of course you can't have a prediction without a surprise pick.

And that pick is the  6'4" Stewart Cink.

Yes, I am perfectly aware he made did not make the cut at Augusta, but it's only the second event this year where he missed one.

Cink has had also three top 25 finishes this year, along with a 11th place finish at the Transitions Championship.

These stats might not be much, but it does help the possibility that Cink can have a strong 72 hole tournament at Texas this week. He can also come up big time, and if his putting starts to be a bit better than usual, he has a very strong shot.

Geoff Ogilvy

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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 08: Geoff Ogilvy of Australia waves to the crowd on the 17th green during the second round of the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Geoff Ogilvy should be on top of people's picks, considering he birdied five straight holes in the final round last Sunday. 

Yup, five, for a total Sunday score of 64 and to finish fourth in the biggest golf tournament of the year at the Master's. This was also his best overall end to an event this year. 

If that still doesn't impress you to pick him as a favorite, consider his four Top 25's in just seven events. 

Ogilvy has had four wins in 2008, 2009 and 2010. So far, this event is his best chance at a first win in 2011.

Charley Hoffman

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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 07: Charley Hoffman walks across the first green during the first round of the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 7, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Gotcha! 

This is the second sleeper pick in Charley Hoffman, who wrote an entire diary on his experience at Augusta.

At first, he was very optimistic, but at the end of the fourth round, he wasn't very satisfied with his performance. This can also lead to more motivation for Hoffman, who seems to win at the most unexpected times.

The Texas Open might be the perfect opportunity for him to sneak up, considering other top players such as Bubba Watson, or Phil Mickelson is not participating in this event. He has also been very consistent this year, with five Top 30 finishes.

This is the guy you want to pick as the sleeper pick, even over Stewart Cink.  

Martin Laird

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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 04: Martin Laird of Scotland watches a shot during a practice round prior to the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 4, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Laird, unlike Hoffman, is dominant at putting on the greens. His driving accuracy and distance is also much higher than the PGA Tour average.

He already also seems to have the confidence needed to win every single time he's out on the course. 

For example:

1. Arnold Palmer Invitational - First place
2. Waste Management Open - Third place
3. Transitions Championship - Fifth place

This will all equal for a hunt at San Antonio, and maybe a strong finish at the Texas Open can help him win the PGA player of the year for 2011.

Adam Scott

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DORAL, FL - MARCH 10: Adam Scott waits in a fairway during the first round of the 2011 WGC- Cadillac Championship at the TPC Blue Monster at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa on March 10, 2011 in Doral, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Woah, big surprise, huh?

The once No.3 golfer in the world looks to defend his title at the Valero Texas Open with his beautiful swing: except this time with a longer putter than the one shown here.

Angel Cabrera

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AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 10: Angel Cabrera of Argentina waves to the gallery on the tenth green during the final round of the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images

The 2009 Master's Champion finished strong last week at Augusta, at seventh place.

Although he struggled mightily in the final round, his solid overall performance told us he will always be in the hunt at tournaments. 

If he can tee off with the driver a bit better this time, with his two Top 10's already this year to boost his confidence, he should be in the mix for a win.

Jimmy Walker

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ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 24: Jimmy Walker plays a shot on the 7th hole during the first round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge on March 24, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

Last, but certainly not least, there is Jimmy Walker.

The 32-year-old golfer is spending only his fourth full season on the PGA Tour, and in all seasons before 2011, he never even played over 20 events in one season.

Also before 2011, his best finish was third in 2010, and it just so happens it was the Valero Texas Open where he did so. But already this year, he has had three Top 10 finishes including two fourth place ones.

This might be his breakout year, and being a San Antonio native might help just a bit.