Walker, Nitties, Wetterich, Jones share Texas Open lead

Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO

Jimmy Walker and James Nitties got on a roll, and the soaked Texas Open course dried out.

Next up is a long two-round finale.

Walker and Nitties shot 5-under 67s on Saturday for a share of the lead at 7 under with Brett Wetterich (68) and Matt Jones (71) at TPC San Antonio, where the Oaks Course soaked up a drenching that will make for a 36-hole finish today.

Muck and mud squished under the morning gallery after more than 3 inches of rain washed out play Friday. But fairways drained and greens stayed firm, drawing praise from some in a field that has grumbled about the new Greg Norman-designed layout.

“The greens are what they are,” said Wetterich, who birdied his final three holes. “You’re going to gripe about it, I think that’s more advantage for other people that aren’t and just kind of go with the flow.”

Tour rookie Garth Mulroy (67) was a stroke back along with Charley Hoffman (70), James Driscoll (68), J.B. Holmes (70), Pat Perez (66), Tim Petrovic (68) and Aron Price (68). Ernie Els, a two-time winner this year, was two shots back at 5 under after a 67.

“Hoping for Texas winds tomorrow,” Els said. “It’s going to be a long day but I’ll be up for it.”

PGA Tour officials hadn’t ruled out stretching the tournament into Monday if storms delayed the tournament again. The National Weather Service called for a 40 percent chance of rain Sunday.

Walker, who missed the cut in three of his last four tournaments since April, grabbed a share of the lead on a course he knows better than most.

The San Antonio resident played TPC San Antonio — where the Texas Open moved this spring after 15 years at La Cantera Golf Club — before most anyone last winter. That familiarity started paying off.

After starting the round four back, Walker birdied three holes on the front nine and another three on the back leg. He used a sand wedge to put a 111-yard approach about seven feet from the cup on the par-4 11th, then sank the putt for birdie.