Branden Grace posted a first round 66 to lead the Valero Texas Open by one from Steven Alker, Stewart Cink, John Huh and Will MacKenzie at TPC San Antonio.
Grace’s -6 was his first round since Hawaii in January after carding a 68 last week at the RBC Heritage, but it was some time coming for the South African.
‘That’s the one round I was waiting for,’ Grace said. ‘I’ve been shooting the 69s and 70s, but not getting that one low round. This is nice.’
A T27 at Augusta was followed by a T11 last week in South Carolina.
‘It started at Augusta,’ said Grace, who entered this week 21st in the world. ‘Making the cut was big for me and progressed nicely over the weekend. Obviousl,y last week defending is pretty special and you get the positive vibes and the memories.’
Grace hit 13 of 14 fairways, but his day really ramped up a gear when he missed the ninth fairway. He hit his approach to 22 feet and duly converted the birdie try.
‘I feel my game is progressing in the right way,’ Grace said. ‘Obviously it’s easier coming to places like this … It’s nice to make seven birdies. That’s the one round I was waiting for.’
Further birdies at 13 and 14 helped Grace to -6 for the day, and a lead which wouldn’t be topped on Thursday.
First round of the Valero Texas Open (USA unless stated):
66 – Branden Grace (RSA)
67 – Will MacKenzie, John Huh, Stewart Cink, Steven Alker (NZL)
68 – Steve Marino, Shawn Stefani, Luke List, Brooks Koepka, Graeme McDowell (NIR), Noh Seung-Yul (KOR), Bob Estes, Tom Hoge, Jonathan Randolph, Robby Shelton, Ken Duke, Brian Gay, Bryce Molder
69 – Freddie Jacobson (SWE), Anirban Lahiri (IND), Patrick Reed, Jim Herman, Aaron Baddeley (AUS), Jamie Lovemark, Kevin Chappell, Kang Sung (KOR), Matt Jones (AUS), Geoff Ogilvy (AUS), Jhonattan Vegas (VEN), Nick Taylor (CAN), Soren Kjeldsen (DEN), Tim Wilkinson (NZL)
Photo: Steve Dykes/Getty Images
