Marc Warren is more focused on winning a pair of Texas cowboy boots this week than thoughts of next fortnight’s Masters and the winner’s reward of an Augusta National green jacket.
The cowboy boots is an additional prize presented to the 2015 Valero Texas Open champion being held on the Greg Norman designed TPC San Antonio course in the Lone Star State.
The Texas event also is another first in Warren’s career and with the Glaswegian, who is set to turn 34 on April 1st, competing in his first regular PGA Tour after being afforded an invitation to tee up in the $6.2m tournament.
And it comes after a superb performance of a top-20 in the recent WGC – Cadillac Championship and missing out in a Monday play-off to qualify for the following week’s Valspar Championship.
Marc Warren tees off during a practice round on the TPC San Antonio course ahead of the 2015 Valero Texas Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
He said: “I am grateful for Valero for the invitation as it’s a great golf course and it’s unbelievable condition.
“And the winner gets presented with a great pair of cowboy boots so they’d be great to wear back to Scotland.”
To go with the cowboy theme this week all players are getting about in Ford F-150 pick-up trucks including fellow Scots Russell Knox and 2013 champion Martin Laird.
However Warren’s overwhelming quest this week is to finish inside the top-18 that would ensure the current World No. 52 earns a first Masters invitation.
He said: “So far, it’s been fairly easy to keep thoughts of playing at Augusta out of my mind as I have not over thought it all.
Marc Waarren making his regular PGA Tour debut at this week’s 2015 Valero Texas Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“Of course, we will know on Sunday night whether I have qualified for my first Masters or not but to be in this position is just great and the progression I have shown in the last couple of years to now get myself to within two spots of the top-50 makes it exciting to be talking about events like the Masters.
“Obviously, I would like to be higher on the World Rankings and then we wouldn’t be having this conversation but at this moment in time it’s a good place to be and a great opportunity ahead of me this week.
“And if I was to qualify for the Masters it would be great and top off what has been a great start to the season for me but them there is many more great events ahead for me, and it’s not just about the Masters as there is the WGC – Match Play Championship in about six weeks then there’s the Players Championship over here in May.
Marc Warren chatting with American Harris English about the new Callaway lob-wedge. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“Then I’m looking at the US Open, Scottish Open and The Open so while it would be incredible to be competing at Augusta it would not be the be all or end all if I don’t qualify this year.”
Warren spent last week practicing at Lake Nona in suburban Orlando and home to many fellow Europeans including Graeme McDowell, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson who finished Arnold Palmer Invitational runner-up under controversial circumstances in being ‘put on the clock’ late in his final round.
Warren said: “I spent a lot of time on the range at Lake Nona and bumping into G Mac and also Shane Lowry who has rented a house there up up to the time he plays in the Masters.”
And it was Lowry, who will be making his Masters debut, who Warren enjoyed so much playing the back nine with so much on Tuesday here in San Antonio.
In fact, Lowry quizzed Warren saying: “How long are you planning on staying in the States. Till after the Masters?”
Warren responded: “That’s the plan, hopefully”.
Marc Warren and Ireland’s Shane Lowry checking text messages while waiting to tee up during a Tuesday practice round in the 2015 Valero Texas Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
He looked clearly at home in Lowry’s company with the two getting on famously and with plenty of banter flying including digs about the recently decided Six Nations rugby.
He said: “Playing a practice round with Shane was just like being on the European Tour and that’s the great thing about the European Tour, the friendships and camaraderie.
“It also wasn’t long ago Shane was in my position trying to break into the top-50 so we have a lot in common.”
Warren still has his young family with him taking in visits to Disney World, Sea World and Animal Kingdom, Disney’s animal theme park.
Warrren said: “Archie just loved Animal Kingdom but then because of the height restrictions for children at Disney World we could only go on ‘Dumbo, The Flying Elephant’ at Disney World.”
Marc Warren hitting into the par 3 16th at TPC San Antonio. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
And Warren revealed he’s no stranger to Texas having attended college as a 17-year old in Paris, Texas located 100 miles north-east of Dallas, and also the title name of the 1984 drama movie.
He said: “I was too young at the time to play golf in division one in college also my grades from high school in Scotland were not high enough so the plan was to spend two years in college that would qualify me for division one.
“I completed one semester but then went home for Christmas and New Year but then made the decision I was not going back as life off the course was difficult being 17 years old and being such a long way from home.
“But the team mates I had were phenomenal and in my time in Paris, Texas I played in seven events, won six of them and second in the other and I was Number One in the team.
“It was good experience as I was competing a lot so I’ve now come full circle in a way coming back here to Texas as a professional and competing in the Valero Texas Open.”
Warren will play the first two rounds in the company of 18-year old Amercian amateur Sam Burns, who is making his PGA Tour debut after capturing last year’s PGA Junior Championship.
Marc Warren drives off the 18th tee at TPC San Antonio. (Photo – www.golbytourmiss.com)
