Share

Grayson Murray leads Texas Open

Los Angeles - Grayson Murray fired a five-under-par 67 to claim a one-shot lead after the first round of the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio on Thursday.

The 24-year-old from North Carolina, chasing only his second career win on the PGA Tour, edged clear of the field thanks to some long putting and solid iron play on the par-72 TPC San Antonio Oaks course.

The American got off to a dream start, opening with back-to-back birdies on his first two holes before a superb chip from the fairway gave him a birdie tap-in on the fifth to move to three under.

His round threatened to come apart on the par-three seventh, when he needed three shots to get onto the green before two-putting for a double-bogey five.

However, Murray came storming back on the back nine, draining a 28-foot putt on the 11th for a birdie and then sinking another long putt on the 13th to move back to three under.

Two more birdies on the 17th and 18th saw him finish at five under, setting him up to challenge for his second title following a breakthrough win at the 2017 Barbasol Championship in his rookie season.

Five players were tied for second, a shot off the lead on four under, including Chesson Hadley, Billy Horschel, Ryan Moore, Keegan Bradley and Matt Atkins.

Five players - Andrew Landry, Jon Curran, Harris English, Joshua Creel and Mexico's Roberto Diaz - were tied for seventh on three under, two off the lead.

A cluster of nine players, including Zach Johnson and Brandt Snedeker, were on two under after carding 70s.

Leading scores after Thursday's opening round of the PGA Tour's Texas Open at San Antonio, Texas (USA unless noted, par 72):

67 - Grayson Murray

68 - Chesson Hadley, Billy Horschel, Ryan Moore, Keegan Bradley, Matt Atkins

69 - Andrew Landry, Jon Curran, Roberto Diaz (MEX), Harris English, Joshua Creel

70 - Brendan Steele, Brandt Snedeker, Nick Watney, Abraham Ancer (MEX), Keith Mitchell, Zach Johnson, Austin Cook, David Hearn, Corey Conners

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1471 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE