Quick look at the Valero Texas Open

The Overview SAN ANTONIO — He’s 19 years old, still wears braces, and hopes to achieve something nobody in his country has ever managed — make a significant impact on the PGA TOUR. Say hello to Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, who’s making his professional debut at this week’s Valero Texas Open. Niemann has been the world’s top-ranked amateur player since last May. He made his final amateur start two weeks ago at the Masters, having qualified by winning the Latin America Amateur Championship in January. He also had invites to the U.S. Open and Open Championship via his amateur standing, but relinquished those opportunities after turning pro following his missed cut at Augusta National. He will now concentrate on earning TOUR membership, hoping to take advantage of a series of sponsor’s exemptions starting this week at TPC San Antonio. He also has sponsor’s invites to the Wells Fargo Championship, the AT&T Byron Nelson and the Memorial Tournament presented by Nationwide and will try to Monday qualify at other TOUR stops. In addition, he wants to compete in Web.com Tour events, and also hopes to regain those invites to the U.S. and Open championships via sectional qualifying. So, a lot of things going on — he also announced endorsement deals this week with Ping and Adidas — as he takes the biggest step of his young career. Is he nervous? “When I was an amateur, I thought I was going to feel nervous because of being pro,â€� Niemann said. “But I think it’s just the same. You just hit the ball and try to enjoy the round. I feel really good for this week and I think I’m prepared.â€� Niemann is hoping to break through as the first golfer from Chile to win on the PGA TOUR. Success on other pro tours has been sporadic for his countrymen — no surprise given that golf had been limited to private clubs until the first public course opened four years ago. Felipe Aguilar is perhaps the most successful Chilean golfer, having won twice on the European Tour and representing his country at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Benjamin Alvarado won a Web.com Tour event in 2013, and Hugo Leon is a two-time winner on PGA TOUR Canada. Bigger things are expected from Niemann, who is getting much-appreciated advice from Sergio Garcia. The two played nine holes during a practice round Tuesday, and Garcia seems to be taking Niemann under his wing. Like Niemann, Garcia was once the world’s top amateur. “He’s starting from scratch,â€� Garcia said. “Everything he’s done as an amateur, just like it happened to me, it’s great but it doesn’t count anymore. So he’s got to go out there and hopefully not put too much pressure on himself. Enjoy the week, learn every week. “Hopefully he gets off to a good start and things kind of go straight up — but if not, he’s got to be patient and kind of find his way out here.â€� The way begins Thursday. Three players to ponder Sergio Garcia He was a player-consultant when the AT&T Oaks course was designed, but he hasn’t played here since 2010. Kevin Chappell Posted his first TOUR win here last year, and then ended the season at the Presidents Cup, where he partnered with … Charley Hoffman The 2015 Valero champ loves him some TPC San Antonio. He’s finished in the top 15 in 10 of his 12 previous starts. The Flyover The closing hole at TPC San Antonio allows for a dramatic finish. The 591-yard par-5 18th was the third easiest hole on the course last year, playing to a stroke average of 4.855. Players must navigate the creek that bisects the fairway, as well as bunkers on the right. Here’s a closer look at the 18th. The Landing Zone The 481-yard par-4 fourth not only is the most difficult hole at TPC San Antonio, it’s one of the most difficult on TOUR. Of the 538 par 4s played in the 2016-17 season, it ranked 18th with a stroke average of 4.331. The biggest challenge off the tee is successfully navigating the narrow fairway. Here’s a look at where all tee shots landed last year. Weather check From PGA TOUR meteorologist Wade Stettner: “Partly cloudy skies are forecast on Thursday with a high in the upper 70s and east/northeast winds at 15-25 mph. Cloudy skies are expected on Friday with a slight chance for scattered showers. A cold front will move across central Texas on Saturday with scattered showers and thunderstorms possible along and ahead of the front. This front will exit the state on Sunday with mostly sunny skies returning and gusty north winds developing behind the front.â€� For the latest weather news from San Antonio, check out PGATOUR.COM’s Weather Hub. Sound Check “The most important shot in the wind is hit it solid so the wind doesn’t affect it. It’s when you start hitting it unsolid in the wind when it’s hard. … That’s this golf course. It gives you plenty of room out there but if you start hitting it unsolid, you can find the native area very quickly.â€� – Charley Hoffman on TPC San Antonio By the numbers 4 — International winners of the Valero Texas Open since 1970 — Australians Adam Scott and Steven Bowditch and Scotland’s Martin Laird (all at TPC San Antonio) and Zimbabwe’s Nick Price (who defeated Australian Steve Elkington in a playoff in 1992 at Oak Hills) 205 — Current streak of holes played by Beau Hossler without a three-putt. That’s the longest active streak on the PGA TOUR. Jimmy Walker is second at 183. 63 — Course record at the AT&T Oaks course, shared by Matt Every (2012, Round 1) and Martin Laird (2013, Round 4). Scattershots Adam Scott won the Valero Texas Open in 2010 when the Oaks course made its debut as the tournament venue. He finished T-23 in his title defense in 2011, which is the last time he’s played this event until this week. Scott is the only TOUR pro to accomplish the Texas Slam (wins in Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio). The 474-yard par-4 ninth is the only hole that doesn’t have a bunker. But it does have a deep, narrow, back-to-front sloping ground in which the ball gains speed if it’s aimed toward downtown San Antonio. Debuting in 1922, the Valero Texas Open is the third-oldest non-major on the PGA TOUR behind the BMW Championship (1899) and RBC Canadian Open (1904). With those tournaments held in various cities in their history, the Valero is the longest-running event held in the same city, albeit at eight different courses.

Click here to read the full article…