Every has his day with course record at Texas Open

Matt Every shot a course-record nine-under 63 to take a three-stroke lead over Hunter Haas after the first round of the Texas Open. It was a career-best on a notoriously unforgiving TPC San Antonio course that opened in 2010, but is partly blamed for why the tournament doesn’t attract more star power.

Every arrived at the Texas Open having sworn off instructors, proudly cutting practices short and cringing at the sight of other players endlessly tweaking their swings. “I see the same guys tinkering with their swings, and they spend all day Tuesday and Wednesday practicing, and I think, ‘God, I’m glad I’m not one of these guys ’,”he said. “And I’m sticking to that. When I get on the course, I’m more interested in playing golf than my golf swing.”

Every, whose best finish in six years on the Tour is third, coasted to his first lead since sharing the top spot entering the final round of the Sony Open in January. His wife, who is seven months pregnant, followed him for the entirety of a the record that broke the course mark of 64 set by Ryan Palmer and Scott Piercy in 2010. “Told her, only wanted her to go to nine today,” Every said. “Said she had to keep going after the front nine. It’s cool.”

Haas finished with one of the round’s three eagles on the par-5 18th. Former Open champion Ben Curtis, playing in his fourth PGA Tour event of the season after his status on the entry list plummeted near the bottom, was fourth strokes back at 67.

Fredrik Jacobson, Cameron Beckman, Jason Gore, Troy Matteson and Derek Lamely shot 68.

Haas shot a bogey-free round capped by a brilliant approach at the 18th, hitting a 3-wood from the fairway to five feet. He has struggled this season, missing the cut six times and finishing no better than a tie for 37th in Mexico at the Mayakoba Golf Classic. “It’s nice to finish a round like that. It’s been a while,” Haas said.

Matt Kuchar, the tournament’s top-ranked player at No 15 and two weeks removed form his near miss at the Masters, closed with a bogey on the par-4 ninth for a 70. Johnson Wagner had a 74 after speaking optimistically about taking advantage of the absence of star players in the field.

Defending champion Brendan Steele had a 73. He made a double bogey on the par-4 fourth. The 28-year-old has failed to build on his rookie-year success of a year ago and has missed his previous three cuts, most recently at the Masters.

The other star of last year’s Texas Open didn’t even make it past the first round. Kevin Na, who returned to San Antonio poking fun at his memorable 16 at the ninth, tapped in a six-footer for par this time, but withdrew after a 79.

Scotland’s Russell Knox opened with level-par 72.