2013 PGA Golf: Billy Horschel Seeks 1st Win At Valero Texas Open
By Les Bailey
On a Saturday afternoon in somewhat tough scoring conditions at The Valero Texas Open, second round leader, Billy Horschel fired a -2 under par 70 to hang on to a two-shot lead at The J.W. Marriott Oaks Golf Course near San Antonio. The 27 year-old tour rookie struggled at times in the Texas wind, but managed to hold off a pretty good field that includes a hand full of major champions.
Horschel finished second at last week’s Shell Houston Open, and he extended his PGA TOUR-best streak of consecutive cuts made to 21 this week. For him to get his first win, and punch the last available ticket to Augusta next week, he will have to come out on Sunday with all guns blazing. Former US Open Champ, Jim Furyk, and tour veteran, Charley Hoffman are two strokes off the pace, and world number two, Rory McIlroy leads a small group of contenders four shots back at -6 under par. Three-time major champion, Padraig Harrington is five back.
"“I’ve never been star struck out here,” Horschel said. “… I respect all the veterans out here. I respect everyone that’s put their time (in) out here.“But at the same time, I’m as confident as I’ve ever been, and I feel just as good as anyone else in the world right now.”"
Billy Horschel will more than likely draw Jim Furyk as his playing partner for the final round. Furyk is a fierce competitor that will provide a stern test for the rookie, but Furyk is fighting his own demons. Furyk carried a hefty lead into the final round of the US Open at The Olympic Club last June, and lost in the final two holes. His performance under pressure in The Ryder Cup was feeble at best.
I think the threat for the youngster from Grant, Florida will come from the groups playing in front of him. Rory McIlroy is starting to find his swing, and we all know how fast he can climb a leaderboard if he can get some putts to fall. Padraig Harrington is also within striking distance, and has major championship pedigree, and a new driver in his bag.
The Valero Texas Open will have to put up a good show on Sunday afternoon to match the excitement we had in Houston last week. If the wind continues to be a factor, players getting out early may have an advantage, and you may see someone coming out of the pack to challenge the lead.
Marcel Siem, who is ranked 51st in the world, and won in Morocco last weekend, came to Texas for one reason. He wants to play in Augusta next week, and is only six back at -4 under par. Siem put up a 69 on Saturday, and could well have been a factor had he not shot 76 on Thursday. The double bogeys in the first round has him in a hole that he has continued to dig himself out of.
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