2013 Golf: Unlikely Pair Lead Valero Texas Open

When the dust settled on the first round of the Valero Texas Open on Thursday evening  in San Antonio, Texas, Who would have though an alternate with severe asthma, and a player on a medical exemption would have the lead. Such was the case, as Matt Bettencourt, and Peter Tomasulo shot matching -5 under 67’s in the afternoon session to take a one-shot lead over early leaders, Padraig Harrington, and Billy Horschel.

The 37-year-old Bettencourt has spent the bulk of his PGA career searching for medications to curtail his asthma problems. He turned pro in 2002, and is 184th on the money list after three starts on the year. He finished tied 24th at the Puerto Rico Open earlier in the year.

"“My game hasn’t been the concern,” Bettencourt said. “… I’ve gone back and forth from three to four different inhalers and some different medications, which has helped my health, but I haven’t been able to play golf with it at all.”"

Peter Tomasulo fired the only bogey free round on Thursday, and is on a mission to retain his Tour card. Tomasulo turned pro in 2004, and has made five out of six cuts this year with his only miss coming last week at the Shell Houston Open. His medical exemption, is due to a rib injury, and will allow him to play eight events for the year.

"“I just played a solid round of golf to go around here with no bogeys,” Tomasulo said. “We got a good end of the draw, I think, with the weather calming down late in the day.”"

Padraig Harrington and Billy Horschel are both on separate missions. The three-time major champion is testing a new driver in hopes of  getting back into top 50 form as he gets prepared for The Masters next week. Billy Horschel is on a mission to get the last Masters spot provided the winner of this tournament. He finished tied for second last weekend, but is still 132nd in the OWGR’s and needs a win here to get an invitation to Augusta.

World number two, Rory McIlroy had another mediocre day in his endeavor to find his game prior to the Masters. He shot even par in the morning session, playing alongside Texas phenom Jordan Spieth. They will both have to play well in the afternoon session to make the cut here. Spieth had it going early, as they played the backside first, and got to a share of the lead with Harrington at -4 under par, until he got to the eighth hole. He took a snowman, and ended his first round at -1 under par, only four strokes back.

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