The number of players in the Valero Texas Open field who have a chance to earn an invitation to the Masters Tournament next week by winning on Sunday has been more than lopped in half with the 2-under cut on Friday at the TPC San Antonio Oaks Course.
The 120 players in the 153-man field who needed to win for the final Masters invitation were pared to 54. And it might get interesting on the weekend: Seven players not eligible for the Masters are among the top 10 and certainly within striking distance with a couple of good rounds.
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Brian Harman, who is in the Masters field through his 2023 British Open victory, leads at 12-under par 132.
Who’s within range of a Masters invite?
Sam Ryder, Matt Wallace and Ryo Hisatsune are tied for third at 7-under, five shots behind Harman.
Carson Young, Emiliano Grillo, Andrew Novak and Antoine Rozner are tied for sixth at 6-under.
A large group of players not yet eligible for the Masters are tied for 13th at 5-under: Henrik Norlander, Harry Hall, Harry Higgs, John Pak, Ryan Gerard and Quade Cummings — plus one intriguing player, amateur Ben James, a University of Virginia junior.
James would be eligible for a Masters invitation with a victory, whether he remains an amateur or turns professional.
Which other players not eligible for the Masters made the cut?
Rickie Fowler and Francesco Molinari are tied for 22nd at 4-under.
Camilo Villegas is tied for 37th at 3-under.
Gary Woodland, Matt ...
