The Valero Texas Open Kicks Off at TPC San Antonio

By Cash Arenas

KTSW Sports Reporter

SAN ANTONIO– The Valero Open at TPC San Antonio officially started tournament play today after a brief, heavy rainstorm caused a weather delay. The field consists of 132 players playing for a chance to get the last spot in the Masters Tournament, which is available to the winner of the Valero Texas Open if not otherwise qualified.

Included in the field is defending champion Brian Harman, who finished the first day of the tournament at even par 72. The field also includes 22 Master invites with the likes of Ludvig Åberg, Tommy Fleetwood, Robert MacIntyre, and Jordan Spieth, to name a few.

With the Valero Open being hosted in Texas brings a lot of Texas Talent to the field, with 15 players in the field who were either born, live, or went to school in the state, including Johnny Keefer and Mac Meissner, who both grew up here and went to high school just down the road from TPC San Antonio.

With the rain delay this morning, pushing back tee times, some groups were left without a final score for round 1; however, at the end of the day, there were 5 players tied for second with a 6-under performance, with many others in contention. The players are Tony Finau, Davis Thompson, Andrew Putnam, Robert Macintyre, and Steven Fisk with the likes of Will Zalatoris, Tommy Fleetwood, and Ludvig Åberg trailing behind at 5-Under. Mark Hubbard leads the tournament after a 7-under day.  Other news around TPC is Austin Smotherman making His first hole-in-one in his PGA Tour career on No. 13, playing at 220 Yards with a six iron. Check back in on another update on the tournament here on the blog, as play will resume tomorrow morning for cutline day.

Round One will continue at 7:45 a.m. Friday and round 2 will continue as scheduled.