Charley Hoffman carded a bogey-free 5-under-par 67 to grab a one-stroke lead over Aaron Baddeley of Australia after one round of the Valero Texas Open in windy conditions at TPC San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.
Hoffman, who played at Poway High and UNLV, took sole possession of the lead by sinking a seven-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole.
“It’s nice to get the lead no matter which round it is,” said Hoffman, who claimed the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in November for his third PGA Tour victory. “Bogey-free 65, I’ll take that every time.
“I drove the ball well all day, kept the ball in front of me. You can get it going sideways pretty easily with this wind, but I didn’t have too much stress. I’ve played well on this golf course before, so I’m pretty comfortable out there no matter what the wind.”
Baddeley, who has been in a long slump and has not won since claiming his third PGA Tour victory in the 2011 Northern Trust Open at Riviera, birdied two of the last four holes in his 68.
Badds drove into the trees at No. 17 and had to reload after losing his golf ball, but incredibly hit his next shot on the 337-yard hole into the cup for a birdie.
Max Homa, the former All-American at Cal from Valencia, sank an 18-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole and a 14-footer on the final hole to shoot 69 and was alone in third.
Phil Mickelson, looking for his first top-10 finish of the year with the Masters two weeks away, birdied three of the last five holes to shoot 67 and was tied for fourth with Ryan Palmer, who drove the green on the 17th hole and sank the putt for an eagle.
Jordan Spieth holed a 21-foot eagle putt at No. 15 en route to a 71 that put him in a tie for sixth with Jimmy Walker, Zach Johnson, Chris Kirk, Daniel Summeyhays, Chesson Hadley and William McGirt.
Matt Kuchar posted a 72 and was in a tie for 14th that included Billy Horschel, the reigning FedEx Cup champion, John Merrick of UCLA and Long Beach, and Kevin Na of Diamond Bar.
