We’re a week away from The Masters and the PGA Tour is hosting it’s final tournaments before the season’s first Major. The PGA Tour is going through their Texas Swing, having just concluded the Valero Texas Open. Players were competing for their last chance to get into the field at The Masters with a win or getting in the Top 50 in the Official Golf World Rankings, but others are using it as a tune up to prepare and get in some competitive golf to stay sharp.
Phil Mickelson was one of the biggest names in the field until withdrawing from the tournament with a pulled oblique muscle 10 holes into the third round on Saturday. Mickelson was planning to use the Valero Texas Open and next week’s Shell Houston Open to prepare for The Masters, but instead, will be back in San Diego to seek medical treatment – his presence at the Shell Houston Open is up in the air.
The final round saw the remaining golfers battle tough and windy conditions, with Steven Bowditch holding on to capture his first PGA Tour victory. So far in the 2014 PGA Tour season, there have been five first time winners on the PGA Tour. Bowditch becomes the third Australian to win in the last six starts, joining Jason Day and John Senden. It wasn’t an easy victory though, as Bowditch had to scramble on some holes to stay in the tournament, with other veteran names like Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson on his tail. He would close with a 1-shot victory.
The tough conditions during the final round saw some of the longest rounds of golf on Tour – the final group finished their front 9 in three hours! At least five players were put on the clock and timed by rules officials. Slow play is definitely an issue on tour – are we going to see more penalty strokes handed out this year because of it?
Source: Valero Texas Open
