Hometown hero has Valero lead

Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO

Jimmy Walker enjoyed a neighborly stroll at TPC San Antonio after a 35-minute drive from his suburban home.

Walker shot a 5-under 67 on Friday in the Texas Open to take a one-stroke lead in his hometown event.

He won the Sony Open in Hawaii in January after winning three times last season.

“It’s nice to have friends and family here,” Walker said. “Good vibes and good mojo, and I believe in all that stuff. Positive energy is good.”

Walker overtook first-round leader Charley Hoffman with three straight birdies late in his round.

Hoffman, 8 under at the turn, uncharacteristically let a good round get away on the Oaks Course with three bogeys on his second nine. He finished with a 72 to drop into a tie for second with Aaron Baddeley.

Hoffman has two top-three finishes in his previous four appearances at the Texas Open.

Baddeley had a 71.

“I’ll keep drawing on my experience here, and I think you can get this golf course,” said Hoffman, who led by two entering the day.

Kevin Na, who infamously took 16 strokes on a par 4 in the event four years ago, had a 68 to join Texan Jordan Spieth at 4 under. The 21-year Spieth, coming off a playoff victory two weeks ago at Innisbrook, followed his opening 71 with a 69.

The gusts near 40 mph that blew Thursday morning continued to subside, though play started Friday with temperatures in the 40s.

“But it wasn’t windy, so that was nice,” Walker said.

The improved conditions packed the leaderboard with nine players within four strokes of Walker. That included Phil Mickelson, continuing to cram for the Masters less than two weeks off, at 2 under after a second-round 72. He was tied for sixth.

“It was a good first two days,” said Mickelson, who has a best finish this season of 17th at the Honda Classic. “I putted well and hit some good iron shots, but I’ll have to work on the driving tomorrow. I played Augusta a few days before I came here and I was driving it great. I haven’t hit it the way I felt I have been hitting it.”