Brian Harman leaps in front at PGA Texas Open
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Brian Harman of the United States playing his shot from the second tee during the second round of the Texas Open 2025.
PHOTO: AFP
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SAN ANTONIO – Brian Harman poured in eight birdies amid a six-under 66 to take over first place halfway through the Texas Open on April 4 in San Antonio.
Harman’s second straight 66 pushed him to 12-under 132 at TPC San Antonio Oaks Course, and that was good for a four-shot lead over Keith Mitchell (72).
First-round leader Sam Ryder struggled to a 74 and sits in a tie for third at 137 with Englishman Matt Wallace and Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune (both 67).
Said Ryder: “I kind of got off to a bad start and just didn’t really get in a good rhythm. Yeah, I was feeling it a little bit, but was able to kind of grind through it.
“All in all, if you told me I was going to be in this position going into Saturday, then I would have taken it I think on Thursday.”
Patrick Cantlay shot a 67 and shares sixth place at 138 with several other golfers. Two-time Texas Open winner Zach Johnson, 49, posted a 68 and is hanging around at 139.
Harman, the 2023 British Open winner, is trying to take good form into next week’s US Masters, the first Major of 2025. Harman is already slated for Augusta National, but if a player not already invited wins the Texas Open, he would qualify for the Masters.
Harman said of his play in San Antonio, “It’s been pretty good, controlling my distances nicely. It’s one of the demands this place makes on you. You have to really have control of your ball.
“Ball lands on the green, they’re a lot firmer than they seem, and if you’re playing from out of position, it’s really tough.”
Through nine previous events this season, Harman has yet to register a top-10 finish. He missed the cut at The Players Championship in mid-March before taking a break from the tour.
“It has been a slow start, a little uncharacteristic,” Harman said of his season.
“So nice to take a couple weeks off and regroup and at least have a couple nice days so far.”
Mitchell finished the day with five birdies and five bogeys.
“A little up and down,” he said of his round. “I kind of hung in there... All in all, I’m still in there. I wish I was closer to Brian than I am, but glad to make par on (my final hole) so I could stay in the last group, at least for now.”
The cut line of 144 prevented several notable names from reaching the weekend, including Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg (73), defending champion Akshay Bhatia (70), Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (72), Max Homa (71), South Korea’s Tom Kim (71) and Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick (72). REUTERS, AFP
