PGA Tour delays Valero Texas Open start amid weather disruption

The PGA Tour was forced to delay the start of the opening round of the Valero Texas Open after a dangerous weather system moved across TPC San Antonio on Thursday morning.

Play had initially been scheduled to begin at 7:30 a.m. CT, but officials confirmed a suspension due to unsafe conditions. 

Following a 90-minute delay, the first round eventually got underway at 9:00 a.m. CT.

The deluge of rain has very much softened the Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio, which should lend itself to some early first-round scores. 

Once play started, on-course PGA Tour reporter and former player John Rollins said: "We still have a light drizzle right now, we had about half an inch of rain that fell on the property that delayed play. 

"We had firm, fast conditions until this rain came through, so expect that to soften up and the golf course will be more receptive for these players.

"They will have preferred lies out here today, so that will be a benefit for them. 

"But we are still talking about TPC San Antonio, the Oaks Course, where it's the fourth hardest fairways to find and fourth most difficult greens to hit in regulation on the PGA Tour last season. 

"The course is still demanding, you'll need to be in play to attack the hole locations, so all in all it should still be a tough test. But the conditions should be pretty good for scoring." 

The early disruption comes during a pivotal week on the PGA Tour calendar, with the $9.8 million event serving as the final stop before the season’s first major at Augusta National Golf Club.

Despite a number of high-profile withdrawals, the field remains strong. 

Two-time major champion Collin Morikawa pulled out ahead of the event as he continues to manage a back issue leading into The Masters Tournament.

Morikawa is joined on the sidelines by last week’s winner Gary Woodland and runner-up Nicolai Højgaard, both of whom reportedly opted to withdraw after securing their places at Augusta.

Even with those absences, the tournament still features a competitive lineup, including Tommy Fleetwood, Ludvig Åberg, Jordan Spieth and Russell Henley.

Defending champion Brian Harman also returns, looking to successfully defend his title ahead of the year’s first major championship.

Harman is looking to become the first player since Zach Johnson in 2009 to defend the title.