? COURSE: TPC San Antonio (AT&T Oaks), 7,435 yards, par 72. A
Greg Norman/Sergio Garcia collaboration, the Oaks opened in 2010 as one
of two courses that winds through Texas Hill Country just north of San
Antonio. Though much flatter than the neighboring Canyons course, the
Oaks offers a tougher challenge with narrow fairways, bunkers as deep as
12 feet and native vegetation where unplayable lies loom. Three years
ago, Kevin Na recorded a 16 at the par-4 ninth hole after struggling to
free himself from rocks and underbrush.
? FIELD WATCH: Phil Mickelson returns to the Texas Open for
the first time in 22 years, heading a field that includes four of the
top 15 players in the current world rankings. He'll be joined by
two-time Texas winner Zach Johnson, No.11 Matt Kuchar and No.13 Jordan
Spieth. … The event will have both of the season's multiple winners with
San Antonio resident Jimmy Walker (3 wins), the FedExCup leader, and
Patrick Reed (2). … European Tour pro Brooks Koepka, third at the
Frys.com Open in October, takes his last available sponsor exemption in
hopes of obtaining Special Temporary status.
? 72-HOLE RECORD: 254, Tommy Armour III (2003 at LaCantera GC). TPC San Antonio record: 274, Adam Scott (2010), Martin Laird (2013).
? 18-HOLE RECORD: 60, Bart Bryant (3rd round, 2004 at
LaCantera GC), Zach Johnson (3rd round, 2009 at LaCantera GC). TPC San
Antonio record: 63, Matt Every (1st round, 2012), Martin Laird (4th
round, 2013).
? LAST YEAR: Laird birdied his final three holes to capture
his third PGA TOUR victory, matching the course record with a
9-under-par 63 to finish two shots ahead of Rory McIlroy. Laird began
the day four shots behind leader Billy Horschel, but birdied five of his
first nine holes to get into contention. Then it was a matter of
holding off McIlroy down the stretch, as Laird birdied No. 17 from off
the fringe and drained a 15-foot birdie on the 18th. McIlroy closed with
a 66, notching his best finish in six months since winning the 2012 BMW
Championship.
? STORYLINES: Mickelson returns from two weeks off, seeking to
rebound from a stretch of spotty results and back pain in time for the
Masters. Since a WD at Torrey Pines, Mickelson's best finish has been a
tie for 16the at the WGC Cadillac Championship. … Masters invitations
hang in the balance for world No. 57 Chesson Hadley and No.63 Ryan
Palmer, trying to crack the rankings' top 50 upon tournament's end.
After that, the only way to get a last-second berth will be to win next
week at Houston. … Laird tries to become the third man to successfully
defend a Texas Open crown since the turn of the century. Justin Leonard
won back-to-back in 2000-01; Zach Johnson matched in 2008-09.
? SHORT CHIPS: Freddie Jacobson has played every Valero Texas
Open since the tournament moved to TPC San Antonio, never finishing
lower than 18th. The Swedish pro was runner-up in the course's 2010
debut. … Sergio Garcia again won't tee it up on the course he helped
design, taking his name out of the lineup earlier in the week. He's
played the event just once since it landed at its new home.
Last Week's Winner - Sea
Updated Standings
1. dfs - 3630
2. Ocala - 2996
3. NMT - 2896
Sea - 2896**
5. Bill - 2799
6. 2952 - 2779
7. Ed - 2673
8. Bobcat - 2279
9. DL - 2275
10. NiA - 2161
11. 67810 - 2074
12. Lizard - 1771
13. g2f - 1747
**Won week 11 by picking a boogereatin' gator
Good Luck!
This post was edited on 3/30 10:17 PM by DFSNOLE
Field
