Valero Texas 2022 R1

Mar 31 - April 03
TPC San Antonio (Oaks Course), San Antonio, Texas
$8,600,000
Round 2, Round 3, Round 4

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Russell Knox carded a flawless 7-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead in the Valero Texas Open.

Valero Texas 2022 R1

"It was a great day obviously," said the Scotsman. "A little chilly this morning, but then as the round kind of got going, I mean, absolutely the most beautiful weather to play golf in.

"Obviously thrilled with the round. I took care of business off the tee, which was nice. Obviously this course, if you get offline, it can be very penal. So I drove the ball well, iron play was solid again and just a couple of those good luck moments starting the round kind of got my momentum nice. Chip-in there on 7, good up-and-down on 6, great up-and-down on 9, those were kind of the key parts that allowed me to kind of settle into the back nine and have some easier birdies."

Valero Texas 2022 R1

Russell's round including a run of four consecutive birdies from the 12th.

"No. 12, I hit a nice wedge shot in there and had a relatively short putt for birdie, made that. No. 13 was a huge bonus. I mean, it was 220-something today. I hit a hybrid. Wasn't a perfect strike but ended up in beautiful position, probably, I don't know, seven, eight feet away. Was able to birdie an extremely difficult par 3, which is always a bonus.

"Then had the par 5, which I made up-and-down from the bunker. Then 15 was a nice little bonus, too. Hit a beautiful drive down there, hit 6-iron just over the back and was able to get that in from 20-plus feet from the fringe. That was one of those kind of bonus birdies that you need when you're going to have a good day."

Valero Texas 2022 R1

Dane Rasmus Hojgaard looked set for the lead after six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 18th but his final drive at the 9th went left and he needed four more shots to finish leading to a double bogey and a 66.

England's Aaron Rai shares fourth place at 5- under with Americans Matt Kuchar, Denny McCarthy and J.J. Spaun.

Valero Texas 2022 R1