Third after 54 holes of the Valero Texas Open, Matt Kuchar is very close to making his return to the Masters after twelve appearances in a row stopped by his absence in 2022. But the solid Patrick Rodgers remains for the moment still in the lead with three strokes ahead of Kuchar. The Belgian Thomas Detry has completely sunk!
matt kuchar seems particularly motivated by the idea of returning to Masters ! The 44-year-old American is third in the Valero Texas Open before the last lap, three shots from Patrick Rodgersstill solidly in the lead at -12, and two lengths behind the Canadian Corey Conners. After twelve years of uninterrupted presence at Augusta, Kuchar has not fulfilled the invitation criteria for the 2022 edition, nor for this year.
To play the first Major of the season next week, the vice-captain of the American team of Ryder Cup 2018 in France must win on Sunday at Saint Anthony. Despite a catastrophic hole eighteen and a double-bogey, Kuchar is only three strokes behind the leader.
Is this an April Fools’ joke?!
Matt Kuchar lips out a near ace ???? pic.twitter.com/sRzNF5atUW
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 1, 2023
Hideki Matsuyama in good shape before the Masters
There are only North Americans in the top 5, including Chris Kirkauthor of one of the shots of the day, but Asian golfers woke up with the South Korean Byeong-Hun An in the top 10 and the Japanese Hideki Matsuyamawinner of the green jacket in 2021, in the top 15 with each a card of 68.
Perfect pace, perfect roll ????
This 55-foot eagle putt wasn’t a problem for @Chris_Kirk_. pic.twitter.com/ygsihm3Dnc
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 1, 2023
Thomas Detry sombre !
With, too, a card of 68, Padraig Harrington back in the title race. The Belgian Thomas Detry for his part said goodbye to the Masters with half the holes over par and a horrible card of 83 (+11), sixteen shots more than the day before! Luke List snatch a jump seat in the top 50 by passing very close to an albatross in 14th.
Ridiculous touch from the rough ????
Luke List was THIS close to an albatross @ValeroTXOpen. pic.twitter.com/dqj7dOAOmP
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 1, 2023
Classification
Photo : Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images/AFP
