Justin Lower sits atop the Valero Texas Open leaderboard at 5-under through nine holes.
Solo leader thru 9 👀@JustinLower_1 is one shot ahead of the field @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/Sa2JHZ6BgZ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 31, 2023
The first round was delayed due to fog for 48 minutes and was suspended, again due to fog, at 8:42 a.m. for 2 hours, 38 minutes, resuming at 11:20 a.m. Play was suspended due to darkness at 7:23 p.m. with the entire afternoon wave yet to complete the round. Those players will resume their rounds Friday at 7:45 a.m.
Fellow American Matt Kuchar, Ireland's Padraig Harrington, South Africa's MJ Daffue and Mexico's Roberto Diaz share the clubhouse lead at 4-under 68.
"I did a good job mentally today," said Harrington. "I worked my way around the golf course, didn't get myself in too many awkward situations and I got up and down quite a few times and I putted well.
"It's nice to come out shooting a good score today. It was a bit scrappy to get there, but to be leading at any stage is not a bad thing on the Tour."
After opening with a double bogey on the par-4 first hole, MJ Daffue closed with an eagle for a 4-under 68; his best finish in 29 PGA Tour starts was T12 at the 2020 Sanderson Farms Championship.
“It was a jumper lie (on 18),” said Daffue, “and it was right at the max of my 7-wood and I said ‘I’m going to hit it. I’m feeling this one.’ It was a good day.”
Patrick Rodgers of the USA also sits at 4-under through 13 holes.
