Brian Harman Leads Valero Texas Open Amid Difficult Conditions

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Brian Harman managed to navigate challenging conditions at the Valero Texas Open, posting an even-par 72 to maintain a three-shot lead heading into the final round. With winds gusting to 30 mph, only six players managed to break par during the round, highlighting the difficulties faced by the competitors at TPC San Antonio.

Harman, who finished the day at 12-under 204, expressed satisfaction with his performance despite narrowly missing a 12-foot birdie attempt on the final hole. This marks his first 54-hole lead since his victory at the British Open two years ago. “Just a tough day, man,” Harman stated. “When you get around this place and the wind blows and the pins are tucked, it’s just a really hard day.”

Following Harman on the leaderboard is Justin Suh, who shot a 69, and Steven Alker, who finished with a 68. Both players trail Harman by three and four shots respectively. Alker is seen as a strong contender, having displayed consistent performance throughout the tournament.

One of the most notable moments of the day came from player Ben Novak, who executed a remarkable shot on the par-3 16th hole. His 5-iron shot went well right but managed to bounce off a wall and onto the green, setting him up for a birdie. “I didn’t expect it to kick back and go on the green. That was obviously ridiculous,” Novak remarked.

Despite the wind, some players managed to find rare birdie opportunities. Mitchell recorded birdies on the par-5 14th and the par-4 17th, which were among the few scoring chances in the round. “Those were really the only two birdie chances we had all day,” Mitchell noted.

Dave Hoge also had a standout day, completing his round without a single bogey. Noting the difficulty of the conditions, Hoge said, “Just tried to make as many pars as I could. Even the downwind holes, I wasn’t sure I could hit the green.” His disciplined play kept him within striking distance of the lead.

The course proved punishing, with the average score nearly two strokes over par, forcing players to reconsider their strategies. Harman demonstrated resilience, saving par several times with critical putts from 5 to 8 feet. “Just leaning on my short game today,” he explained. “The stat sheet won’t say it, but I made some solid par putts that don’t show up as pretty. But they sure keep your round alive.”

As the tournament heads into its final round, the stakes are high for Harman and his competitors, all seeking not only the victory but qualification for the upcoming Masters tournament.