Texas Jimmy Walker signed for a career low nine-under par 63 and equal course cord to seize the opening day lead in the first round of the Shell Houston Open reports Bernie McGuire, Houston, Texas.
Texan Jimmy Walker leads by two in Houston
While his wife, Erin was competing in an equestrian event elsewhere in Texas, Walker was on his way to show jumping display of his own to go two clear of Australia’s Nick O’Hern and American Josh Teater.
O’Hern had led by two shots for the better part of the day before Walker swept past him on the Redstone Club course.
Walker, 32 has been competing full time on the PGA Tour for the past three years but it was not till last year he retained his Tour card in finishing 84th on the money list.
And with a new Scotty Cameron putter in his bag Walker today continued to display his love of Texas as he prior best finish on the Tour was third in last year’s Valero Texas Open.
This year his best has been fourth in the Sony Open in Hawaii and after missing the halfway cut in his past two events, Walker is now well placed to secure place into next week’s Masters.
“I putted just so good today and it was pretty amazing and it seemed like every birdie putt went in,” he said.
“My wife, Erin is having her own fun and it just happens her show is the same week at the Shell, so she’s focussed on what she’s doing and having fun, and that’s what it’s all about.
“But whatever happens this week for me is great. You are always thinking about next week and everybody who’s not into Augusta has to be thinking that way.
“If I win this week, I go to Augusta and that would be great.”
Aussie southpaw Nick O'Hern standing tall after double knee surgery
O’Hern’s round is his best opening score in two years in shooting a seven-under par 65.
Already well placed on four under par is the European Ryder Cup pair of Padraig Harrington and Lee Westwood.
Despite an early hiccup, Westwood regrouped to display all the class of his lofty world ranking status in ending the day inside the top-10.
The Worksop golfer went bogey, birdie, bogey and birdie from the fifth before unleashing the fireworks starting with three birdies in succession from the 11th hole.
Westwood put his drive down the last in a fairway bunker but managed get up-and-down from 277-yards for a birdie and a four under par score.
He also outscored playing partner, and defending Augusta champion Phil Mickelson by two shots who posted a 70.
“It’s always nice to birdie the last and apart from the disappointment at five, it was pretty quality stuff all day,” said Westwood.
Lee Westwood bounces back strongly with a 68
“I hit the ball pretty well and I felt pretty confident, calm and calculated out there, and just waited for things to happen.
“But it’s very, very satisfying to come here and to play well right from the outset.
“This week and next week are both golf courses where you can’t really force it, and if you start getting aggressively both can bite you really badly.
“So this week and next week is all about being patient and that’s what I feel as though I’ve done today.”
