Akshay Bhatia shoots 63 to grab Valero Texas Open lead

Akshay Bhatia poured in nine birdies without a bogey Thursday to separate from the field and stake a three-shot lead at the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio.

Bhatia's 9-under 63 at the resort's Oaks Course gave him a major head start toward winning his second PGA Tour title — which would come with a berth into his first Masters. This week's winner will receive the final invitation into next week's major, if not already qualified.

Bhatia, 22, won the Barracuda Championship last season to notch his first PGA Tour win. He birdied four of his final five holes Thursday to soar past Justin Lower, who set the early pace with a bogey-free, 6-under 66.

Brendon Todd birdied four of his last five holes to tie Lower for second at 6 under at day's end.

Max Homa opened with a 4-under 68 and is tied for fourth with Denny McCarthy, Tyson Alexander and Austin Eckroat. Just behind them is Rory McIlroy, the highest-ranked player in the field; the Northern Irishman posted a 69 consisting of three birdies and 15 pars.

Corey Conners of Canada, the defending champ, opened with a 2-under 70.

Jordan Spieth took a wild ride en route to a 1-over 73. After four bogeys and two birdies on his front nine, he added one more of each before an out-of-bounds tee shot led to a double bogey at the par-5 14th.

But Spieth turned around and aced the par-3 16th before adding his final birdie of the day. His tee shot at the 199-yard hole took two big hops before tracking straight into the hole.

—Field Level Media