Valero Texas Open: After finishing the first round of the Valero Texas Open tied for second place, Irishman Padraig Harrington demonstrated that experience is just a number.
The 51-year-old three-time major champion shot six birdies in testing conditions to equal for the lead with five other players at four under after the first day of competition was called off due to bad weather with half the field still on the course.
Harrington, who has six PGA Tour victories and 23 years of experience on the circuit, showed class throughout the day, but he was at his best when, despite the wind and mist, he managed to finish with a par after hitting one into the bunker.
He made mistakes, though, recording two bogeys that prevented him from sharing the lead with American Justin Lower, who currently owns a one-stroke advantage in San Antonio.
As a result of his six birdies and two bogeys, nine-time PGA Tour winner Matt Kuchar is one of those who are matched with Harrington. England’s Matt Wallace is tied for seventh place with a score of three under par through 11 holes, while Rickie Fowler and the defending champion JJ Spaun are both at even par.
The PGA Tour had to delay play for more than three hours on Thursday morning after the round started on time early that morning. The 72 golfers who started in the afternoon wave were unable to finish their rounds before dusk. Now, they’ll do it on Friday.
The victor of the Valero Texas Open will receive the last available invitation to The Masters, which begins the following week.
Harrington’s most recent season was spent competing on the PGA Tour Champions, which is only open to golfers 50 and older. His most recent victory on the PGA Tour came in 2015.
Harrington stated, “I love competing on the Champions Tour and it has greatly improved my game. I’m playing better, I think, while I’m out there.”
“I’ve played three PGA Tour tournaments and three European Tour events this year, so I’m kind of thinking, ‘Well, I believe I’m better, let’s go and see if I’m better out there with the kids.'”
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