Chris Riley set to make his fourth start in the Valero Texas Open – Golf News
The United States’ Chris Riley is set to make his fourth start in the Valero Texas Open at the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio. The tournament will be played from April 19 to 22, 2012.
In the last three appearances that he made in the event, his best finish came last year, when he finished tied for the 66th position. This speaks of his poor record in the event.
Moreover, his recent form on the PGA Tour also makes him a weak contender in a field that showcases mostly the young players.
Riley appeared in four tournaments this year and missed the cut twice. His best finish came in the Farmers Insurance Open, where he tied for the 33rd position after carding a six-under par 282 tournament score.
It was also the only tournament that witnessed him breaking the par. In Mayakoba Golf Classic, the other tournament where he made the cut, he carded an equal-par score to tie for the 49th place on the leaderboard.
According to the commentators, his driving technique is the major reason behind his failure in the tournaments that he plays. He is currently ranked 182nd in total driving in the PGA Tour stats.
On the other hand, he is ranked second in ‘Strokes Gained-Putting’ category. Therefore, a little improvement in his swing technique may help him to a great extent in improving his scores in the tournaments.
After turning professional in 1996, he has recorded a total of two wins that include one each on the PGA Tour and the Nationwide Tour.
His only victory on the PGA Tour came in the Reno-Tahoe Open in 2002, when he defeated Jonathan Kaye with a par shot on the first extra hole in the sudden-death playoffs.
This year, he has a chance of earning his second victory on the tour if he manages to improve his game off the tee.
Looking at his stats on the Nationwide Tour this year reveals that he recorded a second-place finish in the Chitimacha Louisiana Open in the last week of March.
Therefore, golf analysts are hoping that he will take his momentum to the PGA Tour to improve his track record in the tournament.
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