Si Woo Kim takes early Valero lead
While many of the big names on the PGA Tour are already at Augusta National preparing for next week’s Masters, a handful stayed around the Lone Star State for this week’s Valero Texas Open.
Two-time PGA Tour winner Si Woo Kim claimed the early lead at TPC San Antonio on Thursday with a 6-underpar 66. Starting his day on the back nine, Kim’s round began with four straight pars, followed by three birdies in his last five holes before the turn.
After a bogey on No. 1, Kim shot to the top of the leaderboard with five birdies through the next six holes. A pair of pars on Nos. 8 and 9 closed out an impressive 32 on his final nine.
Kim noted his success the last three years at the event and that the course sets up well for him. He added that his iron shots weren’t great on his first nine, but he was able to improve at the turn.
“(The) back nine much better, that’s why I get closer to the pin,” said Kim.
Coming off a two-week break, fan favorite Rickie Fowler is in contention after a 68. The five-time PGA Tour winner was happy with is return.
“It’s always nice to get out and make some birdies early, shake off some rust,” said Fowler. “Happy with where we’re at going into tomorrow, but also looking forward to the weekend with some work to do tomorrow as well as how I feel about the game going into next week. So really only one blemish, the tee shot on our 17th hole, No. 8, but other than that, solid day of golf and some good work.”
Ahead of this week’s tournament, Fowler explained why he likes to compete the week before a major, instead of joining other Masters favorites at Augusta this week.
“I like playing competitively if I can leading up to majors or some big weeks,” Fowler said Tuesday. “So for me, I played Houston in the past leading up to Augusta. I typically play the Scottish Open into the British (Open). Sometimes into the U.S. Open or the PGA (Championship) ... I have definitely seen it be beneficial to play the week before.
“You’re not far coming off competition when you tee it up Thursday morning in a major. It just makes me feel more comfortable, more confident.”
Other notable players in the field this week are Matt Kuchar (69), Jordan Spieth (late Thursday tee time), Jim Furyk (70) and Tony Finau (72).
Molinari good signs so far
Francesco Molinari, the reigning British Open champ, was asked how his clutch win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational boosts his confidence before the Masters. Ranked No. 7 in the world, Molinari likes what he sees.
“To be honest, luckily, I won enough last year, and it’s been obviously quite recent that I don’t have to chase wins right now,” said Molinari during a news conference this week. “It was a great bonus, obviously, the Arnold Palmer Invitational as a tournament, I love to have on my CV for the history of the tournament and for what Arnie did for the game.
“The main thing was for my confidence getting into the majors this season just to see that my game was still there and was improving, and I’ve seen, I will say, good signs so far.”