Sam Ryder almost withdrew from the Valero Texas Open, but now he finds himself leading the first round with a coveted Masters spot on the line.
You never know how things will shake out on the golf course.
Just ask Sam Ryder, who impressively shot a masterful 9-under 63 during the first round of the Valero Texas Open.
This outstanding score came just one day after he withdrew from the Wednesday Pro-Am due to soreness in his upper back and neck. Ryder didn’t even touch a club that day, opting instead to rest and watch Netflix.
With an afternoon tee time on Thursday, Ryder decided to arrive at the course early to check on his condition. He reached TPC San Antonio about three hours before his 12:40 p.m. start and felt ready enough to play, aided by the warm Texas weather that helped alleviate his tightness.
“I was a little gun-shy early, and as I built up the speed, I got more confidence and trust in what I was doing,” Ryder reflected.
“Once I got on the course, I wasn’t hitting that many shots today, thankfully, but you’re not hitting that many drivers, so I was able to play effectively.”
Ryder started strong with birdies on the first two holes, quickly moving to 2-under for the championship. He added another birdie on the par-5 8th, rolling in a 13-footer to reach 3-under.
However, the former Stetson Hatter truly ignited on the back nine, heating up like the Texas sun. He made six birdies on the back, including five on his last seven holes. Ryder’s third shot on the par-5 18th was a foot from the hole, allowing him to finish with a remarkable 63 and take a one-shot lead over Keith Mitchell.
“I figured that anything under par is usually good out here,” Ryder commented.
“I didn’t go in with any intentions of being overly aggressive; I just wanted to take it one shot at a time, hit fairways, and greens.”
Ryder’s impressive putting performance played a crucial role in his lead, gaining nearly six strokes on the greens with a total of 127 feet of putts made. He managed to complete the round with only 21 putts, a remarkable achievement that stands as the lowest of his PGA Tour career.
“For me, putting is largely about my setup, so I focus on ensuring everything is lined up,” Ryder explained.
“From there, I can free it up and concentrate on the target, just being an athlete. It’s nice to see some putts go in and build confidence.”
Hopefully, that confidence will continue to flourish over the next 54 holes, provided his sore back and neck do not hinder him. If all goes well, an invitation to Augusta National awaits him, along with a pair of Texas cowboy boots for the winner.
