SAN ANTONIO — Brian Harman is feeling nostalgic as he reminisces about his amateur days, particularly his stunning victory at the 2007 Porter Cup in Lewiston, N.Y. After the opening round of the 2025 Valero Texas Open, he recalled how that win, where he triumphed by an impressive nine strokes over a field that included notable players like Chris Kirk, Billy Horschel, and Jason Kokrak, changed his fortunes. "I won 10 grand that day," Harman said with a wide smile while signing autographs at TPC San Antonio. "That was a good day."
Fast forward to April 3, 2025, and Harman is back at it again, shooting a remarkable 66 in his first round at The Oaks course, which is a par 72 layout measuring 7,438 yards. This score marks his best performance in 25 rounds at this venue, placing him near the top of the leaderboard as the early wave of players completed their rounds. With inclement weather expected to sweep through the region, Harman's strong start is crucial. The winner of the Valero Texas Open stands to earn a hefty $1.7 million, along with a $10,000 bonus.
Harman, a three-time Tour winner and the 2023 Open Champion, has had a solid season thus far, making the cut in seven of his nine events. However, he has struggled to string together four consistent rounds to contend for a title. His best finish this season was a top-20 at the Genesis. "My game's been feeling like it's been getting close, but just hadn't had any results, so nice to get off to a good start this week," he said. "I just drove it good and made a few more putts than I've been making."
Consistency has been a challenge for Harman, who explained, "It's just consistency and execution. My good days have been good enough to win, and my bad days have been not great. You've got to find a way on those days, and that's usually a strong part of my game is gritting it out, figuring out a way to get it done." He expressed his love for Texas, stating, "If I had to move anywhere, I'd move to Texas for sure."
As the Valero Texas Open unfolds, it serves as the final event before the prestigious Masters Tournament, which is set to take place next week at Augusta. This year, 27 golfers competing at the Masters are also taking part in the Valero Texas Open, making it a highly anticipated tournament. Among the big names in the field are Jordan Spieth, Ludvig Åberg, and defending champion Akshay Bhatia, who is looking to make history by becoming the first golfer to win back-to-back titles at this event since Zach Johnson in 2008 and 2009.
The tournament has drawn significant attention, with Ludvig Åberg being touted as a favorite, closely followed by Tommy Fleetwood, who is seeking his first PGA Tour victory. The competition is fierce, and the stakes are high as players vie for a share of the $9.5 million purse, with $1,710,000 and 500 FedExCup points going to the champion.
Golf fans can catch all the action on various platforms. In the U.S., linear TV coverage is available on The Golf Channel and NBC, with streaming options via Peacock and ESPN Plus. The coverage schedule for the Valero Texas Open includes Golf Channel broadcasts on Thursday and Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET, while Saturday's action will be split between Golf Channel and NBC, with coverage starting at 1 p.m. and continuing until 6 p.m. Sunday will see a similar schedule, with Golf Channel airing from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and NBC picking up from 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
In the UK, fans can tune in via Sky Sports, while viewers in Australia can watch on Fox Sports through Foxtel or sign up for Kayo Sports. Canadian viewers can catch the action on TSN Plus, starting at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.
As the tournament progresses, Harman will be looking to maintain his momentum and capitalize on his strong start. With the Final Four basketball tournament also taking place in San Antonio this weekend, the atmosphere in the city is electric. When asked if he would be supporting his alma mater, the University of Georgia, as they compete, he candidly replied, "Don't care, man. I hope they all lose."
The Valero Texas Open promises to deliver thrilling golf action as players compete for glory and prepare for the Masters. With Harman's strong performance and the presence of top-tier talent, fans can expect an exciting weekend ahead at TPC San Antonio.
