Walker one clear in Texas

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.
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Graeme Storm recalls ‘surreal’ US PGA adventure after battle with Rory McIlroy
His famous victory over McIlroy came on the third extra hole in the 2017 South African Open in Johannesburg
-
PGA Tour
Lee Kyoung-Hoon shoots his lowest round on the tour to retain Texas title
Dallas-born Jordan Spieth went close with a chip for eagle on the 18th which would have forced a play-off.
-
European Tour
Sam Horsfield ‘so happy’ after winning Soudal Open to secure another title
Horsfield overcame overnight leader Ryan Fox in a thrilling final-round battle.
-
PGA Championship
Justin Rose still has drive to succeed as ‘exciting challenge’ of US PGA arrives
Rose won the US Open in 2013 and Olympic gold in Rio three years later, but has not tasted victory since February 2019.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods will expect to do better at US PGA Championship – Curtis Strange
Woods returned to top-level action after a long injury absence with a 47th-placed finished at the Masters.
-
PGA Championship
Defending champion Phil Mickelson withdraws from US PGA Championship
The six-time major winner has been taking a break from golf.
-
PGA Tour
English rookie David Skinns shares lead in Texas
The 40-year-old from Lincoln shot a second-round 63 in the AT&T Byron Nelson.
-
PGA Championship
Jordan Spieth looking for career grand slam at US PGA Championship
The presence or absence of defending champion Phil Mickelson which will dominate the conversation at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship
5 contenders to win the US PGA Championship
Tiger Woods could contend for victory in Tulsa.
-
News
We’ve got your back – Greg Norman promises to defend players on breakaway tour
Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are among the professionals to have asked for the required release to play the first event at Centurion Club.