Valero Texas Open: Course Preview & Round 1 Recap

The Stage is Set in San Antonio

The PGA Tour heads to the Lone Star State for the Valero Texas Open, hosted at the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio. A demanding par-72 stretching over 7,400 yards, the course tests every facet of a player’s game. With narrow fairways, tricky winds, and undulating greens, success here requires precision, patience, and the ability to grind.

The course is designed by Greg Norman, with input from Sergio Garcia, and features classic Texas Hill Country terrain. Players must navigate rocky outcroppings, deep bunkers, and fast, firm greens. It's a fitting prelude to Augusta, and for many, a final tune-up before The Masters.

Round 1 Recap: Early Movers and Shaky Starts

Keith Mitchell leads the charge after a sparkling 64 (-8), showcasing pinpoint accuracy off the tee and a red-hot putter. He's followed closely by Jordan Spieth, who posted an impressive 67 (-5) and looks poised to contend heading into the weekend.

Other strong starts came from Tommy Fleetwood and Andrew Novak, both carding solid 68s (-4). Fleetwood’s steady ball striking and Novak’s quiet consistency put them in great shape after day one.

Several players finished at -1 (71) and are still well within striking distance, including:

  • Corey Conners (the 2019 Valero champ)

  • Keegan Bradley

  • Patrick Cantlay

  • Denny McCarthy

  • Ludvig Åberg

  • Lee Hodges

  • Si Woo Kim

Bud Cauley, Daniel Berger, and Doug Ghim each posted 70s (-2) to position themselves nicely heading into Friday.

On the flip side, a few players will need a bounce-back round to see the weekend:

  • Gary Woodland (+1), Charley Hoffman and Sam Stevens (+2), and Rickie Fowler (+3) all have ground to make up.

  • Tom Kim struggled to a 77 (+5), while Jimmy Walker limped in with a 76 (+4).

With a tight leaderboard and plenty of firepower lurking, the Valero Texas Open is shaping up to deliver a thrilling finish. Keep an eye on Spieth, Mitchell, and Fleetwood as they continue their push toward victory — and momentum for Augusta.

Check back tomorrow for a full Round 2 recap!

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