SAN ANTONIO – PGA Tour rookie Johnny Keefer will make his Valero Texas Open debut this week at TPC San Antonio, returning to the course he says he’s played “a million times.”
“I wouldn’t necessarily say I have too much more experience out here other than maybe just a few green reads and some comfortability off the tee,” Keefer shared.
Keefer, a San Antonio resident who graduated from Johnson High School, is playing in front of family and friends at the Oaks Course, which he joined as a junior.
“A lot of people don’t know this, but I still live with my parents,” said Keefer. “I’m sleeping in my own bed.”
“Everyone just being out here, having a support group that whether I do good or bad, they’re out here for me and they’re out here cheering me on, it’s really, really an awesome thing,” Keefer said smiling.
The 25-year-old Baylor University alum has made a rapid ascent.
In his rookie PGA Tour season, Keefer has made five cuts in eight starts and sits at No. 60 in the FedExCup standings.
He posted his best finish with a tie for third at last week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open. Keefer also holds an invitation to the Masters Tournament.
“To have the momentum, I think is big,” said Keefer. “I said last year, if I didn’t get in, I didn’t want to put too much pressure on myself.”
“I just wanted to play well, going into the Masters, whether I was in or not,” he said. “And it’s nice because last week was big for momentum and hopefully I can carry that momentum into the Masters next week.”
The Valero Texas Open, one of the oldest events on the PGA Tour, offers the winner a potential final spot in the Masters field if not already exempt.
Keefer is among 22 players in this week’s field who are already invited to Augusta National.
First-round action at the Oaks Course (par 72, 7,438 yards) begins Thursday, with the tournament running through Sunday.
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