Valero Texas Open Recap: Novak's Breakout, Bhatia’s Blunder, and a Texas Test of Patience
The 2025 Valero Texas Open served up a little bit of everything: a gritty leaderboard, a big name collapse, and an unexpected finish on Sunday that shook up more than just the FedEx Cup standings. Let’s break down the highs, lows, and everything in between from TPC San Antonio.
Novak Shines in Breakout Performance
Andrew Novak was the standout of the week, turning heads with a T3 finish and pocketing a cool $560,500. Sitting at -5 (283), Novak was steady through three rounds (68-70-69) but stumbled with a final round 76. Still, the 80th-ranked player in the world made a big leap in the FedEx Cup standings, adding 162.5 points to his total and planting his flag as a name to watch heading into the summer.
Tom Hoge and Bud Cauley Keep Pace
Both Tom Hoge and Bud Cauley matched Novak at T5, finishing one stroke back at -4 (284). For Cauley, this was a huge result, his best of the season, and a much-needed FedEx Cup boost. Hoge was surgical early but couldn’t hold momentum on Sunday, carding a closing 76 after going 68-68 in rounds two and three.
Jordan Spieth & Keith Mitchell: Texas-Sized T12s
Local favorite Jordan Spieth showed flashes of brilliance with an opening 67, but couldn’t maintain the magic, finishing T12 at -3 (285). He was joined by Keith Mitchell, who came out guns blazing with a Thursday 64, only to fade with weekend rounds of 73 and 76.
Tommy's Tumble
No one had a rougher Sunday than Tommy Fleetwood. Sitting comfortably before the weekend, Fleetwood’s final-round 81 left him at +8 (296) and in a tie for 62nd. A tough pill to swallow for the world’s No. 11.
Stars Miss the Weekend
The cutline came early and hit hard. Notables who packed their bags Friday included:
-
Akshay Bhatia (OWGR 23) – Missed the cut at even par
-
Ludvig Åberg (OWGR 5) – Even par wasn't enough
-
Tom Kim – A surprising 77-71 line sent him home at +4
-
Si Woo Kim, Charley Hoffman, and Lee Hodges – All missed the cut at +1
This group left many “One and Done” fantasy players scratching their heads (and checking their pick logs twice).
Cantlay, Fowler, and Berger Linger in the Middle
Patrick Cantlay, Rickie Fowler, and Daniel Berger all made the weekend but failed to make a Sunday charge. Cantlay settled for T33 at +1, while Fowler and Berger both posted even-par 288s for T30. All three will need sharper form with majors on the horizon.
Top Finishers and Payouts:
| Player | Finish | Score | Winnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew Novak | T3 | -5 (283) | $560,500 |
| Tom Hoge | T5 | -4 (284) | $304,000 |
| Bud Cauley | T5 | -4 (284) | $304,000 |
| Jordan Spieth | T12 | -3 (285) | $182,875 |
| Keith Mitchell | T12 | -3 (285) | $182,875 |
Final Thoughts
The Valero Texas Open reminded us how unforgiving PGA Tour Sundays can be—and how opportunities often come from unexpected places. With Augusta on the doorstep, players like Novak and Cauley will be hoping this momentum carries into golf's biggest stages. As for the favorites who faltered? There’s work to do.
One thing’s for sure: the 2025 season is just heating up.
Comments
Post a Comment