With a clear 65 card, Scotsman Russell Knox is off to a strong start at the Valero Texas Open, one step ahead of young Dane Rasmus Højgaard. Paul Barjon is beyond the top 100.
For its 100 yearsthe Valero Texas Open remains an institution of PGA Tour and traditionally the last chance to snatch a place for the Masters next week for the eventual winner. After the first round, it’s the Scot Russell Knox who made the best impression with a flawless 65 card to take control at -7. Already present twice in Augusta without ever passing the cut (2016 and 2017), the 36-year-old Briton confirms his good form at the moment after his sixth place in the last Players Championship.
Rasmus Højgaard displays a dream putting
Danish Rasmus Højgaard was on a cloud for 17 holes with more than 50 meters of putts returned on Thursday and the maddening score of -7 posted after only ten holes! But the Scandinavian ended with a catastrophic number 9 hole, penalized by a double-bogey to finish one point behind Knox. For his 500th start, Matt Kuchar climbs on the podium.
174 feet of putts ????
Rasmus Hojgaard drains the second-most of any player @ValeroTXOpen since 2010. pic.twitter.com/CuiFiUVaBP
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 1, 2022
DeChambeau does the show
Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau did not come to get a ticket for the Masters (that they already have in their pocket), but a little confidence tweaking the final settings. The Northern Irishman finished in par after only six pars of a very irregular first round. DeChambeau thought he was in for a big day after an eagle and a birdie early in his return run, but with four bogeys over his last six holes, he’s settled for a day over par.
« Tough shot here … »@B_DeChambeau makes it look easy from the bunker.
He gets back into red numbers with this hole-out eagle at No. 2. pic.twitter.com/iLgXiGWx14
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 31, 2022
Paul Barjon beyond the top 100
The title holder, Jordan Spieth, didn’t really shine either with just a bogey and a birdie for a first day on par alongside Rory McIlroy. Only French engaged this week, Paul Barjon fought hard to finish close to par. His bogey at 18 nevertheless pushes him beyond the top 100 with a score of +2.
The summary of the 1st round in video
The leaderboard
Photo Carmen Mandato/Getty Images/AFP
