I’m uncertain how events will transpire on a golf course.
Inquire about the Samuraider, who remarkably scored a fantastic 9-under 63 in the opening round of the Valero Texas Open.
His impressive score was achieved the day after he stepped back from Proam on Wednesday. He didn’t practice with his clubs on Wednesday, preferring to take a break from Netflix instead.
The rider had an afternoon tee time on Thursday but wanted to arrive early to assess his condition. He showed up at TPC San Antonio approximately 3 hours prior to his scheduled start at 12:40 pm and felt ready to play. Undoubtedly, the warm Texas weather helped dissipate the fatigue he experienced on Wednesday.
“I was aiming my shot a bit early, but as I accelerated, I gained confidence and trust in my actions,” Rider mentioned.
“When you arrive at the course, you typically don’t hit many shots. Fortunately, I didn’t take that many swings today, though I didn’t hit numerous drivers.
The riders began with birdies on the first two holes, quickly moving to 2 under for the tournament. He added another birdie on the par 5 eighth hole, making a 13-foot putt to advance to 3 under.
Nonetheless, the original Stetson Hatter ignited the back nine like the intense Texas sun. He notched six birdies on the back nine, with all occurring in his final seven holes. The rider launched his third shot into the green on the par 5 18th, finishing with a 63 and taking a one-shot lead over Keith Mitchell.
“I thought it would make for a nice visual.
“I wasn’t trying to be overly aggressive, just focused on progressing one step at a time, played a solid round, and aimed for as many greens as I could.”
The rider’s putting is a significant factor contributing to his lead. He gained nearly six strokes on the greens on Thursday, totaling 127 feet of putts. He also made 21 putts, an extraordinary number that marks the lowest of his PGA Tour career.
“I believe putting primarily hinges on my setup; ensuring everything is aligned is crucial,” Rider stated regarding his putting technique.
“From that point, I can simply release the putt, concentrate on the target, and perform like an athlete.
This confidence may continue to build over the next 54 holes—provided that the discomfort in his back and neck doesn’t intensify. If all goes well, an invitation to Augusta National will be in his future.
Jack Mirco is a golf staff writer for SB Nation. Follow him on x @jack_milko.
