Walker one clear in Texas

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March 28, 2015

Jimmy Walker opened up a one-shot lead with a second-round 67 at the Valero Texas Open on Friday.

The local favourite started with a 71 before going five-under for the tournament thanks three birdies in his final four holes that saw him clear of Aaron Baddeley and overnight leader Charley Hoffman.

The 36-year-old started on the back nine and birdied the 10th and 14th, but dropped a shot on 17 before picking it back up straight away.

Five pars followed but birdies on six, seven and eight catapulted Walker to the top of the leaderboard on six-under.

“That felt good,” Walker told www.pgatour.com.

“(I was) Just trying to stay patient. I was hitting good shots, made some good par putts.”

“You have to embrace the family and friends and the home atmosphere. Yes it can be a little overwhelming with everybody wanting to say hi and go do stuff the week you’re here but it is a work week and a lot of people understand that, so that’s cool.”

Hoffman looked to be picking up where he left off with four birdies and a single bogey on his front nine but he came home in 39 to register a level-par 72.

“I think even was probably a very average round out there today,” he said.

“These greens are rolling so good if you get on the right spot on the greens you can make a bunch of birdies out here.

“I just wasn’t in the right spot and on the holes I was I didn’t hit very good putts and that equates to even par.”

Kevin Na and Jordan Spieth were a further shot back and Spieth, who fired five birdies and two bogeys, was in good spirits heading into the weekend.

Brendan Steele, Chris Kirk, Billy Horschel, Phil Mickelson and Zach Johnson, who had the only birdie free round of the day, were all on two under.

Two-time major winner Martin Kaymer’s miserable tournament came to an end as he added an 80 to his opening 82 to finish on 18 over, 12 shots adrift of the cut.