Marc Warren’s Masters invitation remained in sight after an Alamo like struggle on the opening day of the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
Warren said he felt right at home in braving the bright but extremely windy conditions posting a superb two over par 74 to be inside the top-50 at the end of his round and only two shots behind the clubhouse leading pair of American Matt Kuchar and Australia’s Cameron Percy.
At the end of the round Warren had in fact improved his position to be tied in 32nd place and seven shots behind American Charley Hoffman who posted a five under par 67 in the afternoon half of the draw when the wind had died down somewhat.
Warren, competing in his first regular PGA Tour event, had been as high as fourth early in his round as he looks to end the $US 6.2m event on Sunday night inside the top-18 and the assurance of competing in next fortnight’s Masters.
“Growing up and playing golf in Scotland certainly helped today as I was able to shape a lot of shots and what you need to do playing golf back home,” he said.
Scotland’s Marc Warren delighted to have shot a round of 74 on day one of the 2015 Valero Texas Open.
“Standing on the range this morning I thought the conditions were so poor that it must have been minutes away from being stopped.
“Then when we were out there the greens staff were watering virtually every green so that balls would not be blown off the greens.
“But then I would have to say today was the toughest day I’ve experienced wind-wise since the 2013 Open at Muirfield.
“However I am standing here not feeling drained or anything and just pleased to have driven the ball so well in hitting a lot of fades and draws, and when you have a day like that it eases any mental strain.
“And looking at the board I am only a couple of shots off the lead so I’m delighted with a 74.”
In contrast, the very windy conditions made a mockery of efforts of some of the best in the world including reigning US Open champ Martin Kaymer also competing in the Alamo City for a first time in his career.
Dustin Johnson says there was no benefit looking to the Masters from the windswept opening round in the 2015 Valero Texas Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Kaymer shot a 10-over par 82 while former Open Champion Ben Curtis and double Ryder Cup winning Francesco Molinari shooting 81s and Masters favourite Dustin Johnson a 78.
Johnson was later quizzed if the round was good preparation for the Masters and saying: “This was good preparation for nothing!”
Martin Laird, winner of the event in 2013, along with fellow Scot Russell Knox agreed the course, in parts, was bordering on unplayable and with greens staff pumping water on some parts to soften the effects of the wind.
Laird fought back from being four over after just four holes to play the next 14 holes in level par with two birdies and two pars, and holing a testy two-footer at the last for par.
“I don’t think I’ve had a day like that since the conditions we experienced on day three of the 2013 Open at Muirfield,” said Laird.
“It was just unbelievably tough out there and it wasn’t looking very pretty when I was four over after four holes and I just played really good the last 14 including missing a few little ones out there.
“And in the windy conditions out there today holes like the 15th were nearly unplayable and that’s with the tee moved up 50 yards.
“I was hitting 5-irons 155 yards into the wind and in contrast the second hole is some 600-yards and I hit a 3-wood and then 3-iron and it was way too much club when I should have hit 5-iron for my second shot..
“So it was a 30-yard wind downwind and also a three club wind hitting into the wind but in saying that I still have very fond memories of winning here two years ago.”
Russell Knox features on giant screen beside 18th fairway.
Russell Knox, who was first to tee off in the $US 6.2m event, was rugged-up as if he were competing back on a winter’s day in Inverness and walked from the course some five hours later with a six over par 78 after having to call a referee after his ball moved on the 18th green.
However there was no penalty and with Knox, who had two birdies but also eight bogeys, pleased to find the comfort of the clubhouse.
“Today was definitely top-10 in terms of toughness anywhere I’ve played and what made the course so difficult is that it is not designed to play in wind,” said Knox.
“I would have to say it was bordering on unplayable as our group had balls moving about five or six times including there at the last while Andy’s (Svoboda) ball being blown off the green and into a bunker.
Russell Knox rugged up as he signs autographs on day one of the 2015 Valero Texas Open.
“It was just tough both physically and mentally and I have to say there is not too many times when I have finished six over par and felt that my game wasn’t that bad.
“It was just a day for hanging in there but then I am so glad I am now off the golf course.”
And in an example of the varying hole conditions Knox said he hit a driver off the 474-yard ninth holes second hole, and a tee that was moved forward 70 yards, some 225-yards into the wind while at the 602-yard second hole, and the longest on the course, he smashed a downwind driver 345 yards.
