SAN ANTONIO — After an unpredictable first day of weather at the Valero Texas Open, the sun emerged just after noon on Friday and the action at TPC San Antonio’s Oaks Course moved at a standard clip.
After Matt Kuchar and Padraig Harrington set the pace on Thursday, others upped their game on Friday, although the second round of play was not completed. The cut from 144 players will come sometime on Saturday morning.
With just a few days remaining until the eyes of the golf world turn to Magnolia Lane, the final two rounds at the Valero should provide plenty of drama, and, potentially, a dream of a lifetime to someone.
Here’s what you need to know about Friday’s action:
Corey Conners battled back after his four-putt
Yes, Conners made a mess of 16, turning a birdie opportunity into a double bogey with an unfortunate series of putts. And the residual effect of that debacle manifested itself in a bogey on 17, too.
But from there, Conners get things back on track. He made birdies on two of his next three holes and finished with a respectable 72, good enough to put him three shots back of leader Patrick Rodgers.
“Particularly in the first round my short game was great, hit a number of really nice pitches and was able to roll in some putts,” Conners said. “Second round I felt like I hit it pretty well. Maybe a few more missed tee balls and iron shots in the second round, but the wind was pretty tricky starting out this morning. A lot of good things, felt like I missed it in the right spots. Tried to avoid the areas outs here that are very challenging and can give you trouble, so was able to do that. Yeah, control my misses and overall everything was great.”
Harry Higgs is in contention
It’s not just Harry Higgs’ personality that’s entertaining and unpredictable, his golf game has been the same. Higgs has had some highs (finishing tied for seventh at the Puerto Rico Open, for example) and some lows (an 81 in the second round to miss the cut at Valspar.
But the former SMU star is on pace to crack into the top 100 of the FedEx Cup standings if he can keep things rolling at TPC San Antonio.
Higgs posted a 69 in the opening round at the Valero and then followed with a hot stretch that saw him drop four birdies in seven holes in pulling within an even half-dozen of leader Rodgers.
Padraig Harrington didn't keep up the same pace, but he's pretty happy
After posting a 68 in the opening round, 51-year-old Padraig Harrington fell back in the pack a bit during Friday’s play. He was 2 over through 16 holes and is now 2 under for the tournament, a full nine shots behind the leader.
If he rallies to win, Harrington would be the third-oldest player to win in PGA Tour history, behind Sam Snead’s win at the 1965 Wyndham Championship and Art Wall’s victory at the 1975 Greater Milwaukee Open.
Win or not, Harrington said on Thursday he’s still just eager to improve.
“I think because I’m an optimist, pretty enthusiastic person, I get up in the morning and it just, it drives me on. I wake up and the minute I go hit a golf shot, and you’d think I’d have sense at this stage, I’m dreaming that I’m going to find the secret,” he said. “I know there isn’t one, but you’re always hopeful, dreaming. I think just keeps you young, it keeps you there.”
Michael Thompson was reminded of Alabama in his strong finish
In closing with three birdies in his final four holes, former SEC Player of the Year Thompson was drawn back to his time at the University of Alabama, where he finished off a stellar college career back in 2008.
“It’s funny, whenever I’m playing well, I always go back to my ‘Bama days,” Thompson said. “Our physical trainer, Rocky, he would always preach strong legs on the finish. So those last few holes, that’s what I was trying to think of. Hit some really great shots. Anytime you birdie three out of the last four or just a couple birdies coming in, it’s good.”
Thompson has alternated made and missed cuts all season long, but he’ll snap that streak this week (he made the weekend at his last start at Valspar). He sits at 7 under through two rounds, just four shots back.
It's gonna get hot on Saturday
After fog and rain messed with Thursday’s schedule, the hot weather will come rolling in on Saturday, with temperatures expected to hit 90.
That could be draining to players who have a lot of golf to play on Saturday, like the aforementioned Higgs, who only got through 10 holes of the second round.
Play was suspended due to darkness at 7:53 p.m. and those who didn’t
finish will be back in position on Saturday at 7:40 a.m. Third round tee times will run from approximately 10 a.m. to noon with threesomes going off the front and back.
