SAN ANTONIO (AP) ― Matt Every arrived at the Texas Open having sworn off instructors, proudly cutting practices short and cringing at the sight of other players endlessly tweaking their swings.
His reward was a course record at a PGA Tour stop.
Outshining the few big PGA Tour names in a weakened field, Every made nine birdies in a bogey-free 9-under 63 for a three-stroke lead over Hunter Haas after the first round Thursday.
It was a career best on a notoriously unforgiving TPC San Antonio course that opened in 2010, but is partly blamed for why the tournament doesn’t attract more star power.
 |
Korea’s Choi Kyung-ju tees off on the 18th hole at the Texas Open on Thursday. (AP-Yonhap News) |
“I see the same guys tinkering with their swings, and they spend all day Tuesday and Wednesday practicing, and I think, ‘God, I’m glad I’m not one of these guys,’” Every said. “And I’m sticking to that. When I get on the course, I’m more interested in playing golf than my golf swing.”
Every, whose best finish in six years on the tour is third, coasted to his first lead since sharing the top spot entering the final round of the Sony Open in January. His wife, who is seven months pregnant, followed him for the entirety of a the record that broke the course mark of 64 set by Ryan Palmer and Scott Piercy in 2010.
“Told her, only wanted her to go to nine today,” Every said. “Said she had to keep going after the front nine. It’s cool.”
Haas finished with one of the round’s three eagles on the par-5 18th. Former British Open champion Ben Curtis, playing in his fourth PGA Tour event of the season after his status on the entry list plummeted near the bottom, was fourth strokes back at 67.
Fredrik Jacobson, Cameron Beckman, Jason Gore, Troy Matteson and Derek Lamely shot 68.
Haas shot a bogey-free round capped by a brilliant approach on No. 18, driving a 3-wood from the fairway to 5 feet. He has struggled this season, missing the cut six times and finishing no better than a tie for 37th in Mexico at the Mayakoba Golf Classic.
“It’s nice to finish a round like that. It’s been a while,” Haas said.
