Brian Harman leaps in front at Valero Texas Open

Brian Harman poured in eight birdies amid a 6-under-par 66 to take over first place halfway through the Valero Texas Open on Friday at TPC San Antonio.

Harman's second straight 66 pushed him to 12-under 132, and by Friday evening that was good for a four-shot lead over Keith Mitchell (72).

First-round leader Sam Ryder struggled to a 74 and sits in a tie for third at 7 under with Englishman Matt Wallace and Japan's Ryo Hisatsune (both 67).

Harman, the 2023 Open Championship winner, is trying to take good form into next week's Masters Tournament, the first major of 2025. Harman is already slated for Augusta National, but if a player not already invited wins the Texas Open, he will qualify for the Masters.

Patrick Cantlay shot a 67 and shares sixth place at 6 under par with several other golfers. Two-time Texas Open winner Zach Johnson, 49, posted a 68 and is hanging around at 5 under.

The projected cut line of 2 under par was set to prevent several notable names from reaching the weekend, including Sweden's Ludvig Aberg (even par), defending champion Akshay Bhatia (even par), Japan's Hideki Matsuyama (1 over), Max Homa (3 over), South Korea's Tom Kim (4 over) and Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick (4 over).

--Field Level Media