Walker Vaults to Front at Valero Texas Open


Hometown favorite Jimmy Walker jumped into the lead at the Valero Texas Open following a stellar 5-under 67 on Friday. The $6.2 million PGA Tour is taking place on the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio.

Walker, a 36-year-old native of San Antonio, began play at the 10th tee. On his front nine the four-time Tour winner and leader in the current season-long FedEx Cup points race finished with three straight birdies to make the turn in 3-under 33. On the home half he added three more birdies and a bogey.

Through 36 holes, Walker stands at 6-under 138, a stroke ahead of Australia's Aaron Baddeley (71) and San Diego native Charley Hoffman. Hoffman took the 18-hole lead after a 67, but shot even-par Friday.

The Greg Norman-designed Oaks course, one of the Tour's most difficult non-major venues each year, played a bit easier than it did in the first round when the average score was just under 77 thanks to powerful wind gusts, particularly in the morning when the field struggled mightily. Still, only 14 players were under par following 36 holes.

"Just made a couple of putts," Walker said during a TV interview. "I hit a couple of good shots in there and just kept trying to build on each hole there at the end . . . This place is notoriously pretty tough. Any time you can get in the 60s on this golf course, it's a bonus."

As for what he expects in the final two rounds, Walker added, "There should be a lot of support from friends and family out so it's going to be fun. I look forward to the challenge. It's nice to be right there at the top and have a chance."

Dallas native Jordan Spieth posted a 69 to rise into a share of fourth with Kevin Na, who had a 68. Spieth noted that the layout was a bit tamer than Thursday, and the lower scores reflected it. "It played completely different," said Spieth, who won the Valspar Championship two weeks ago in his most recent PGA Tour start.

"Yesterday was a whipping north wind and today was kind of a little calmer out of the southwest. I'm very happy. I made some good clutch par saves. I needed them today and yesterday.

"To be at 4-under on a course that's this challenging and be two back, you couldn't ask for much more right now. Just going to need to stay patient, and hope the birdies come over the weekend."

Trailing Walker by four are Americans Brendon Steele (68), Chris Kirk (71), Billy Horschel (70), Zach Johnson (71) and Phil Mickelson (72).

Among the players at 1-under 143 are Cameron Beckman, Brendon Todd, Chesson Hadley and Jason Kokrak.

With several players still on the course as this report was posted, the projected cut line was a whopping 6-over 150. After opening with a 78, the winner at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, Matt Every, was 1-under through 14 holes and needs to drop a few more shots to qualify for the weekend.

Among those below the cut line are defending Texas Open champion Steven Bowditch, who recorded rounds of 80 and 72, and major winners Jim Furyk, Justin Leonard, Ben Curtis, Lucas Glover, Geoff Ogilvy and Martin Kaymer.

Colt Knost, Sang-Moon Bae, Graeme McDowell, Mike Weir and Alex Cejka withdrew before or during the first round. On Friday they were joined by four more players - Daniel Chopra, Francesco Molinari, Danny Lee and Zac Blair.

For updated scoring, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.