Matt Every breaks the course record to take the lead at the Valero Texas Open - Golf News
Matt Every fired a bogey-free nine-under par course record score in the opening round of the Valero Texas Open to take a three-stroke lead over Hunter Haas on Thursday, April 19, 2012.
Every started his round on a high note, as he carded three back-to-back birdies on the first three holes that he played. Two consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th hole took him to a five-under score through nine holes.
Four birdies on the front nine of the course allowed him to break the course record, previously set by Ryan Palmer and Scott Piercy at 64 in 2010.
Such a sparkling performance vindicated his decision to part ways with his swing coach, a fortnight ago.
According to him, he wanted to follow a less-is-more approach in order to make preparations for the tournament that might earn him his first victory on the PGA Tour.
"I see the same guys tinkering with their swings, and they spend all day Tuesday and Wednesday practicing, and I think, 'God, I'm glad I'm not one of these guys,'" Every said. "And I'm sticking to that. When I get on the course, I'm more interested in playing
golf than my golf swing".
His wife, who is in the seventh month of pregnancy, also followed him on the course, watching him set a new benchmark for the players coming to the venue built in 2010.
"Told her, only wanted her to go to nine today," Every said. "Said she had to keep going after the front nine. It's cool".
Haas also carded a bogey-free round, managing a six-under par 66, with the help of four birdies and a spectacular eagle on the par-five 18th hole at the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio.
"It's nice to finish a round like that. It's been a while," Haas said.
Ben Curtis managed to score five birdies in a flawless round to take the third place on the leaderboard. Fredrik Jacobson, Cameron Beckman, Jason Gore, Troy Matteson and Derek Lamely were a stroke back to share the fourth spot.
Brendan Steele, the defending champion, faltered in the very first round and carded a one-over par 73 to finish 10 strokes behind the leader.
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