Rookie Steele wins Valero Texas Open
Brendan Steele won the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio with a score of 8-under par. Kevin Chappell and Charley Hoffman tied for second at -7. It is just Steele’s 12th start on the TOUR. His previous best finish was T17 at the Farmers Insurance Open. Dating back to 1970, Steele (2011), Eric Axley (2006), Terry Diehl (1974) and Ben Crenshaw (1973) are the only rookies to win the Valero Texas Open.
Prior to this week Steele had never led after any round on TOUR. He held a share of the lead after the secondround and sole possession after the third-round.
Chappell’s only other top 10 on TOUR was a T6 at the 2009 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
Hoffman records his first top 10 of the season. This was his sixth start at the Valero Texas Open. He now has three top 10s and five top 15s. He has made all six cuts.
Martin Laird (T9) records his fifth top 10 of the season (10 starts), which ties him for second on TOUR with Hunter Mahan and Nick Watney. Matt Kuchar leads the TOUR with six.
Since 1960, only Arnold Palmer (1960-1962), Justin Leonard (2000, 2001) and Zach Johnson (2008, 2009) have successfully defended a Valero Texas Open title. Adam Scott finished T23 in his bid to repeat.
Wining score of 280 is the highest winning score at the Valero Texas Open since Wiffy Cox had a 283 in 1934. This week featured the highest scoring average (73.665) on TOUR this season. The Arnold Palmer Invitational is second at 73.203.
