Grayson Murray fired an opening-round 5-under 67 and will take a one-shot lead into Friday’s second round of the Valero Texas Open.
The 24-year old North Carolina native offset a double bogey with seven birdies, highlighted by bookend gains on Nos. 1-2 and 17-18 en route to the day’s low round.
“Anytime you can get one low on the first day gives you a little bit of confidence going into the next three days. I came off of a bad ball-striking week last week at Hilton Head and I put in some really good work Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday of this week and it’s showing,” said Grayson.
“I’m a lot more comfortable in the wind. I’m starting to stripe it a lot better, which my ball doesn’t really get affected in this type of wind so that’s one of the biggest differences.”
A logjam of five players sit T2 at 4-under par, including Chesson Hadley, Billy Horschel, Ryan Moore, Keegan Bradley, and Matt Atkins.
Jon Curran, Roberto Diaz, Harris English, and Joshua Creel were one further back at 3-under par.
Sitting T12 were another nine players, headlined by Brandt Snedeker and two-time Valero winner Zach Johnson, who closed with birdies on 16, 17 and 18 to reach 2-under par 70.
Joaquin Niemann, the former World No. 1 amateur who is making his professional debut this week, and defending champion Kevin Chappell, opened with even-par 72.
TOP 10 LEADERS
1 Grayson Murray -5
2 Chesson Hadley -4
2 Billy Horschel -4
2 Ryan Moore -4
2 Keegan Bradley -4
2 Matt Atkins -4
7 Andrew Landry -3
7 Jon Curran -3
7 Roberto Diaz -3
7 Harris English -3
7 Joshua Creel -3
NOTABLES
12 Brandt Snedeker -2
12 Zach Johnson -2
21 Beau Hossler -1
21 Jimmy Walker -1
21 Matt Kuchar -1
21 Si Woo Kim -1
21 Jim Furyk -1
35 Pat Perez E
35 Kevin Chappell E
35 Graeme McDowell E
35 Charley Hoffman E
35 Martin Kaymer E
64 Bill Haas +1
87 Sergio Garcia +2
87 Stewart Cink +2
107 Adam Scott +3
LEADER’S STATS
Driving: 313 yards
Fairways: 64.3%, 9/14
Greens: 72.2%, 13/18
Putts Per GIR: 1.615
SCORING
Par-5s: (-2) 2 Birdies, 2 Pars
Par-4s: (-4) 4 Birdies, 6 Pars
Par-3s: (+2) 3 Pars, 1 Double Bogey
Total: 7 Birdies, 10 Pars, 1 Double Bogey
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
QUOTABLE
“Like I said, this is a good field, there’s guys who have seen this course in worse conditions. I know a few years ago it was howling so the scoring average must have been 79 or 80 that day. That’s ridiculous, right?”
– Grayson Murray
Credit: PGA Tour Media, Getty Images
