Hossler searching for first victory on the PGA Tour
At age 17, Beau Hossler held the outright lead midway through the second round of the 2012 U.S. Open. Just four months earlier he had been playing in a junior golf tournament at The Woodlands.
Hossler showed promise on the course at an early age. So, it is surprising that the 29-year-old in his seventh year on the PGA Tour is still looking for his initial PGA Tour win. He has three secondplace finishes.
“Am I surprised? Yeah, a bit,” Hossler said. “Frustrated that I haven’t, but it’s difficult to do. I try to stay patient and get better. I’ve done some good stuff, but I would like to give myself chances on the big stage because I know I’m capable.”
In Thursday’s first round of the Texas Children’s Houston Open, Hossler shot 4-under 66 for a share of sixth place, 2 shots back of leaders Taylor Moore and Wilson Furr.
A former teammate of Scottie Scheffler at Texas, Hossler carded six birdies, including four in a row on holes 3-6. He bogeyed the first and 13th hole, going off in the first grouping at 7:20 a.m.
Houston, tour a good match
When Shell ended its 25-year role as tournament title sponsor in 2017, the future of the Houston Open was in doubt. Astros owner Jim Crane stepped up and the Astros Golf Foundation took over operations of a tournament that began in 1946 at Memorial Park Golf Course, where it returned in 2020.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, who is in
Houston this week, knew after initial talks with Crane it was more than likely Houston would remain a fixture on the PGA Tour schedule.
“When you get to a point in time, you don’t have a sponsor, there isn’t a clear answer how you’re going to move forward,” Monahan said. “When I talked to Jim, it was very clear that the PGA Tour was going to be in Houston, and for a long time with a new partner at this magnificent public facility.
“It is important (to have Houston as a stop). The importance and the impact of this community, a global city, and for us to be here since 1946, we’re always going to be here.”
The Astros Golf Foundation was formed in 2018. The Houston Open had three title sponsors lasting just one year each before Texas Children’s Hospital partnered last May for five years.
Highsmith star-struck
New to the tour, 23year-old Joe Highsmith has been a longtime fan of the sport. Highsmith, who opened with a 5-under-65, admits to being in awe of his peers.
“Just like seeing Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas on the putting green last week, it’s ‘how am I in the same tournament with these guys?’ ” Highsmith said. “I’ve watched them growing up. I’m sure that contributes to it.”
Playing in only his ninth career PGA Tour event this week, Highsmith is in second with Scheffler and Davis Riley.
In his senior season at Pepperdine, Highsmith went 3-0 in NCAA match play to help the Waves capture the 2021 national title.