Sam Ryder fires 63 to grab Valero Texas Open lead

Field Level Media|published: Thu 3rd April, 20:22 2025

Mar 27, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Sam Ryder prepares to putt at the ninth hole during the first round of the Texas Children's Houston Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

Sam Ryder birdied six of his final seven holes to shoot a bogey-free, 9-under-par 63 and take the first-round lead at the Valero Texas Open on Thursday at TPC San Antonio.

Ryder was tied for the lead with Keith Mitchell (64) when he stepped to the tee at the par-5, 613-yard 18th hole. He stopped his third shot about a foot from the hole and tapped in for the go-ahead birdie.

Ryder, 35, has never won on the PGA Tour and holds the No. 154 ranking in the world. If he wins the tournament, he will earn an invitation to the Masters next week.

Mitchell is alone in second, while Brian Harman is third after a 6-under 66. Jordan Spieth is tied with Carson Young at 5-under 67.

Spieth, a Texas native, won this event in 2021 and is looking for his first win on tour in almost three years.

Other notable players like Spieth who are tuning up for next week's major include Englishman Tommy Fleetwood (4-under 68), Sam Burns and Tony Finau (3-under 69) and Patrick Cantlay, Keegan Bradley and Swede Ludvig Aberg (1-under 71).

Rickie Fowler (3-over 75), Max Homa (4-over 76), Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick (76) and South Korea's Tom Kim (5-over 77) are in danger of missing Friday's 36-hole cut.

--Field Level Media

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