Mitchell proved his remarkable talent on the greens with a brilliant, bogey-free 64 to win the Texas Open’s opening morning session. With the end of the tournament in sight, he now stands one shot clear of Keith Mitchell. At TPC San Antonio, Mitchell proved his mettle with a few clutch lies. His 3-wood from 286 yards on the par-5 eighth hole was everything you want in a final day strike, coming to rest no more than three feet from the hole for a fabulous eagle.
Mitchell’s showing was marked by discipline and poise. He converted a pair of big-time putts – especially a 25-footer for par on the 16th and a 12-footer on the 17th. He recently scored a beautiful closing embellishment on the par-5 final hole. Next, with uncanny precision and touch, he hit a GOAT wedge that landed a full foot from the hole. This remarkable play culminated in a stellar 9-under 63, placing him in the lead just before the prestigious Masters tournament.
“I figured if I hit it good it could at least cover the front and then kind of roll out to the base of the slope,” said Mitchell about his strategic approach to the eighth hole.
Even with Mitchell delivering spectacular performances, it was not smooth sailing for other strong competitors. Jordan Spieth went from contention to lost hope with this approach shot on the 17th hole. His accurate drive ended up on hard pan, with a rock only four inches behind the ball, forcing him into a very difficult next shot. It certainly didn’t help Max Homa’s cause throughout the tournament. Instead, he suddenly found himself at risk of missing a second-straight cut, extending his painful long-term slump. Homa and caddie Joe Greiner officially parted ways. This comes on the heels of his split with his swing coach late last fall.
Ryder also made headlines during the tournament. Quinn displayed phenomenal putting, one-putting 11 of his final 12 holes. Of those, he produced seven birdies on the day, with a remarkable finishing stretch of three straight birdies to end! Ryder’s play has taken a giant leap forward. He is now in contention for a place at the Masters next week, which would be an incredible feat given that he has not yet qualified through the PGA Tour.
Just trying to find a little rhythm and kind of get a sense for my swing, Ryder admitted, looking back on his week.
As the Texas Open progresses, players are not only vying for victory but aiming for qualification for the Masters. Excitement is generated when challengers such as Mitchell and Ryder rise up to prove themselves against the best. They hope to find their names etched in stone alongside the greats of the game.
Leave a Reply