SAN ANTONIO – At age 34, Matt Kuchar isn’t often viewed as an elder statesman. But that will be the case Thursday, when he is grouped with 23-year-old Rory McIlroy and 19-year-old Jordan Spieth in the opening round of the Valero Texas Open.
All eyes, per usual, will be on McIlroy, the world No. 2. An 11th-hour addition to the field, the Northern Irishman is playing here for the reps – he has played only 12 1/2 competitive rounds this season – and, hopefully, to provide a confidence boost heading to Augusta National next week.
The McIlroy threesome will go off No. 10 tee at 7:50 a.m. CT Thursday and 12:50 p.m. Friday (No. 1 tee).
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Immediately following that group is a trio of former Texas Open winners: Ben Curtis (2012), Brendan Steele (2011) and Justin Leonard (2007, ’01, ’00).
Ian Poulter, Charl Schwartzel and Jim Furyk, all of whom are making their first appearance at TPC San Antonio, will play together, starting at 12:50 p.m. CT Thursday.
The all-winners trio of D.A. Points (Houston), John Merrick (Riviera) and Brian Gay (Humana) is a group behind.