The PGA Tour moves from the relaxed vibes of Hilton Head to one of the toughest non-major tracks of the year at TPC San Antonio. Here’s what You Oughta Know heading into the Valero Texas Open. (Stats provided by the Golf Channel research department.)
• Phil Mickelson returns for the third straight year, and he will be looking to rebound after a disappointing missed cut at the Masters.
• Mickelson continues to lead the PGA Tour in scoring average:
Phil Mickelson: 69.44
Adam Scott: 69.63
Rickie Fowler: 69.83
Justin Rose: 69.93
Jordan Spieth: 69.93
• Not surprisingly, Mickelson is putting much better than last year:
Inside 10 feet: 114th in 2015; 4th in 2016
Strokes gained: T-41; eighth
Total putting: T-53; fourth
• Bryson DeChambeau is making his second start as a pro. Last week in his debut at the RBC Heritage, he led the field in strokes gained tee-to-green. He was 46th, however, in strokes gained putting.
• DeChambeau had the best pro debut among the five players to win the U.S. Amateur and the NCAA individual title in the same year.
2015 Bryson DeChambeau: T-4
2004 Ryan Moore: T-51
1996 Tiger Woods: T-60
1990 Phil Mickelson: Cut
1961 Jack Nicklaus: T-50
• Nicklaus earned $33.33 in his first professional start. DeChambeau earned $259,600.
• Defending champion Jimmy Walker has nine rounds under par at TPC San Antonio over the last three years, tied with Charley Hoffman for the most in that span:
Jimmy Walker: 9
Charley Hoffman: 9
Daniel Summerhays: 8
Jordan Spieth: 8
Billy Horschel: 8
• Coming off his first PGA Tour win at Hilton Head, Branden Grace will tee it up in San Antonio. He used a great short game to secure victory, ranking second in proximity to the hole around the green and fourth in scrambling.
• TPC San Antonio was the most difficult non-major course on the PGA Tour last season.
TPC San Antonio, Valero Texas Open: +2.52
PGA National (Champion),The Honda Classic: +1.83
Riviera CC, Northern Trust Open: +1.59